Buckie Thistle 2 Forres Mechanics 0: Jags see off fighting Cans with a goal either side of half-time
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A GOAL in either half was enough for Buckie Thistle as they saw off Forres Mechanics at Victoria Park on Saturday.
After a strong opening 20 from the Can-Cans, Jack Murray’s diving header put Buckie ahead with 26 minutes played.
The Jags came out flying in the second period and doubled their lead on 53 minutes through Max Barry’s brilliant touch and finish at the back post.
Buckie manager Graeme Stewart was pleased with the result, although admitted the game plan wasn’t followed to a T.
“We wanted to play in their half and four or five times they stole it in our half,” he said.
“I said to them we have to go long to create the spaces. We want to play great football, and the fans want to see great football, but some games you have to dig in, roll up your sleeves, and let the quality show.
“First 20 minutes they were excellent and we didn’t stick to the game plan but we changed and after that we controlled the game.
“But I was impressed with Forres. They are a good team and they’ll take points off some of the top teams.”
It was Forres who started the brighter of the two sides. After Marcus Goodall turned a cross over from close range for the hosts, Mechanics went close through Ethan Cairns, before the same man was denied by Sam Pugh's last-ditch tackle.
Dale Wood's well-struck effort from 25 yards was saved by Jags keeper Balint Demus.
However, it was Buckie who went in front when a free-kick into the box was misjudged by Graham Fraser allowing prolific centre-back Jack Murray to diving header home his sixth goal in four games.
The game's most controversial moment came on 37 minutes. Referee Billy Baxter had a decision to make when Lewis MacKinnon pulled back forward Ben Barron before half-time – opting to give the centre-back a yellow card when Forres wanted red.
Buckie came out flying in the second half and, after Josh Peters and Marcus Goodall spurned good chances, they killed the game through Max Barry's neat touch and well-struck finish.
The Jags should have made it 3-0 on the hour mark when Dale Wood's slack pass was intercepted by Peters, who played in Andy MacAskill – but the usually-reliable midfielder was denied by Stuart Knight in the Forres goal.
Forres boss Steven MacDonald bemoaned referee Baxter's decision not to dismiss Lewis MacKinnon – but was pleased with his side's performance overall.
“We were really good and the better team in the first half, but unfortunately switched off for a set piece goal, which was really frustrating,” he said.
“Buckie hadn’t done anything and we were on top. We’d had two or three good chances and it was a simple ball into the box that we switched off from.
“It’s then a dreadful decision from the officials when Ben got away. For me, it’s a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
"The referee told me that he thought number six (Jack Murray) was getting back in but he must be an Olympic sprinter if he was getting back.
“In fairness, Buckie were the better team in the second half and deserved to win overall.”
