Buckie Thistle 1 Brora Rangers 2: Jags defeated in Highland League Cup final
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BUCKIE Thistle again fell at the final hurdle in their bid the Highland League Cup – going down 2-1 to Brora Rangers at Station Park in Nairn this afternoon.
The scoreline replicates that of the last League Cup final, when a last-minute goal saw the Jags go down to defeat against Rothes in Huntly.
Buckie never got going before half-time and trailed 2-0 at the break to goals from Jordan MacRae and Colin Williamson.
They rallied after the turnaround, though, eventually pulling a goal back on 85 minutes through Sam Urquhart, but it wasn't enough as Brora held on to win.
Jags boss Graeme Stewart said: "It was a tale of two halves and they've taken two chances and we haven't.
"We just didn't turn up first half, but we battered them second half.
"Over the course of the game maybe a draw was a fair result but they deserve it because they scored two goals.
"I'm disappointed just now but we'll get past it and we'll win something else."
Buckie were dealt a big blow within 10 minutes when Lewis MacKinnon went down injured, being replaced by Mark MacLauchan, promoting a defensive reshuffle.
The Jags were behind on 16 minutes when a Dale Gillespie free-kick wasn't dealt with, allowing Jordan MacRae to turn smartly and finish.
And they never recovered from that setback – falling 2-0 behind 10 minutes before the break when another Gillespie free-kick, from an identical position, was nodded in by Colin Williamson.
Buckie's best chance of the first period came five minutes before half-time after a quick break, but Kevin Fraser's shot was easily saved by Joe Malin.
The Jags started the second half brightly, Sam Urquhart dragging a shot wide after a neat Kyle MacLeod flick on 47 minutes.
Brora's Gillespie almost scored a wonder goal to finish the game on the hour mark – he caught Kevin Main off his line but his 35-yard effort lofted just over the bar.
Graeme Stewart introduced Marcus Goodall shortly after and his impact was noticeable. In fact, he almost scored with his first touch but couldn't sort his feet out after Kevin Fraser's shot had been saved by Malin.
There was a moment of controversy with 10 minutes to play as Sam Urquhart's cross was nodded goalwards by Jack Murray. The Jags faithful celebrated, believing the ball was over the line despite Malin's best efforts, but the linesman was unmoved.
Buckie did get one back with five to go. Goodall was denied well by Malin but Urquhart's follow-up was hammered in via the bar to make for an interesting end – but Brora held on to win the Highland League Cup for the second time.
Jags boss Stewart was sent off after the full-time whistle for words said to referee Joel Kennedy.
Speaking after the game, he said: "I never swore at him, I just told him 'you're the worst referee I've ever seen' and he sent me off.
"That's fine – I wanted to get my piece across, I can't just accept his decisions. I think he is the worst ref I've ever seen, so I've told him the truth.
"I thought he could have been a bit more mature and said 'ok, fair enough' but he sent me off which I think shows a bit of pettiness.
"I never swore and wasn't aggressive, so that shows me he hasn't got the experience to referee at this level.
"It's nothing to do with how we lost the game but he ruined it at times. He needs to learn his trade at a level he can referee at – kids level or something – because he was appalling today.
"It was a big spectacle and a big game and you expect a good referee."
A 1-0 win for Fraserburgh against Nairn County ensured an even more miserable day for Buckie, who will now need the Broch to drop points against Forres Mechanics if they are to win the title.
