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Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart plans league revenge on Banks O' Dee after GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup semi shoot-out defeat


By Craig Christie

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Banks O' Dee defeated ten-man Buckie Thistle in the League Cup semis on Saturday - and Jags boss Graeme Stewart wasn't happy.

Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart (right) was annoyed after his team's cup loss to Banks O' Dee. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart (right) was annoyed after his team's cup loss to Banks O' Dee. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The Aberdeen side won on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Victoria Park, with Buckie playing three-quarters of the match a man short following Joe McCabe's dismissal.

Stewart questioned the red card decision, bemoaned his team's missed opportunities on the day and took issue with the antics of the winning team during and after their win.

Jags will appeal McCabe's sending off, with Stewart saying video evidence shows his player did not make contact with his opponent when making a tackle.

Despite losing the defender midway through the first half, Buckie took the lead direct from Andy MacAskill's 40th minute corner, reward for their first half pressure according to Stewart.

On-loan Elgin City winger Chris Antoniazzi levelled early in the second half with Stewart pinpointing eight errors made by Buckie players in the build-up to the goal.

Dee also celebrated Buckie missing penalties in the shoot-out, with Stewart saying the Aberdeen side also played a big role in McCabe's sending off.

"We were absolutely battering them, before we got that silly sending off," Stewart said.

"It wasn't a sending off but Joe probably needs to learn from it. He's not touched their boy, he went over the top of his foot but he gives the referee a decision to make in real time and the red card comes out.

"I have watched it back and there's no contact so we will be appealing the decision.

"I think Banks O' Dee let themselves down a wee bit. I could see there was a junior mentality.

"With the sending off, their whole team ran to the referee and I think they had about 20 coaches on their bench and they all jumped up and shouted for the red card.

"It was a bit embarrassing. They celebrated when we missed a penalty, which is something I tell our players never to do.

"That was disappointing, and after the game in the changing room it was like they had won the cup with the music blaring. Let's just say it's something I will make sure that my boys never do.

The teams meet again at Dee's Spain Park on Highland League business with Buckie gunning for revenge.

"It's all about the league for us now and fingers crossed we can get back to winning ways when we play them next week.

"Trust me, our dressing room will be a quiet one if we do. We never celebrate in that way.

"There's a lot of ex-junior players in that (Banks O' Dee) team and there's no doubt they have Highland League ability, but they maybe have a bit to learn on how to handle these situations."

Banks O' Dee now play Inverurie Locos in the final at Fraserburgh, following Locos' surprise 2-0 win against Brechin City.

In the penalty shoot-out, both teams missed their second kicks with Sam Pugh's being saved while Dee's Jack Henderson hit the bar.

MacAskill also struck the woodwork and when Kyle MacLeod's poor effort was easily saved, the away side triumphed 3-2 on penalties.


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