Buckie Thistle 3 Rothes 1: First half performance labelled 'embarrassing' but Jags fight back again
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BUCKIE Thistle manager Graeme Stewart labelled his side’s first half performance against Rothes as “embarrassing” but was pleased to see the Jags show their fighting spirit to come from behind again.
The Jags were 2-0 down against Deveronvale in the Fisherman’s Derby in the Aberdeenshire Cup last Tuesday before coming from behind to win 3-2.
And they showed those powers of recovery again on Saturday against Rothes in the Highland League to come from 1-0 down to win 3-1 thanks to a Josh Peters hat-trick.
Stewart said: “It was the Fisherman’s Derby and Vale always raise their game against us. They have a couple of ex-Buckie players and have lots of connections to Buckie.
“We were playing on an unfamiliar pitch (in Longside) and we had just been beaten, so there were a lot of things that went against us.
“Fair play to the guys coming back and showing character, ability and determination to win that.
"Against Rothes the first half performance was embarrassing.
“We weren’t at it, weren’t working hard, chasing, being aggressive. There were a few choice words at half-time and I had to remind people that we are meant to be chasing a league title. I don’t want to do that again.
“The players responded to it and we were outstanding second half and could have scored five or six.
“I was told that we have went behind in 10 games this season. That’s crazy and we need to sort that out.”
Buckie face one of their biggest tests on Wednesday night as they aim to chase down Brechin City in the title race, before they make the trip to Glebe Park on Saturday.
The Jags are on the road as they take on Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park.
Stewart is expecting his side to be quicker out of the blocks this time round.
“If we find a couple of goals down at Brora, playing like that, we are going to get beat.
“We have got to start games better and be more prepared. I shouldn’t have to tell boys about this, hopefully we don’t need to again.
“Perhaps it can be put down to the fact we haven’t played many games and guys are at different fitness stages.
“It’s a weird season with the pitches and weather, last season we had a good rhythm, but I’m not making excuses. Rothes started the game well so why can they do that and not us?”
Buckie will be without both long-term injured Shaun Wood and Scott Adams for the trip north, while Darryl McHardy is a doubt.
“Apart from that, everyone is fit,” Stewart confirmed. “We have sent Shaun Wood out on loan. He’s been out a long time and hasn’t played much in the last 18 months so needs to get some game time.
“He will hopefully get 10 or 15 games at Deveronside and come back a fitter player.”
After Wednesday’s match at Brora, Buckie travel to Brechin on Saturday.
