Joy as Buckie retain Highland League title

Ian Murray (left) and Michael Morrison celebrate the title success.

CHAMPIONS Buckie Thistle retained their Highland League crown by beating derby rivals Deveronvale in a tense title decider.

A capacity 2600 crowd inside Victoria Park saw Gregg Carrol's side come from behind to win 2-1.

Second placed Vale led at the break, but Martin Charlesworth and Andy Low netted for the home team to spark jubilant scenes among the 2000-strong home support.

Club captain Kevin Small and current skipper Mike Morrison went up to collect the league silverware, with Morrison admitting afterwards it had been an emotional experience.

"I've got to be honest, there were almost tears," he said. "I'm very, very proud.

"To be part of the team was fantastic but to be one of the two people who went up for the trophy was even better."

Buckie needed just a point to claim the title, but it was Scott Anderson's young Vale side who were in the driving seat at half time with a 1-0 lead.

Their skipper Mark Chisholm - who comes from Buckie - met a Mike McKenzie corner with a looping header on 40 minutes to put the visitors in front.

Jags had to score in the second half, and took just two minutes to draw level. Charlesworth latched on to a Hamish Munro through pass and took the ball beyond keeper James Blanchard before netting from an acute angle.

The home side continued to press, and their triumph was sealed in the final minute when sub Andy Low scored with a brilliant 25 yard free kick.

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