Home   Sport   Article

Buckie United land Abbeyside Moray Premier title


By Chris Saunderson

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

BUCKIE United ended a 20 year wait for Moray Welfare glory as they won the Premier Division play-off 3-0 on Sunday against Hopeman.

Buckie United were declared champions after a 3-0 win...Buckie United v Hopeman in the Welfare league title match at Borough Briggs, Elgin...Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Buckie United were declared champions after a 3-0 win...Buckie United v Hopeman in the Welfare league title match at Borough Briggs, Elgin...Picture: Becky Saunderson..

Boss Neil Mair was delighted to see his team land the Abbeyside shield after a convincing performance in front of a large crowd at Borough Briggs, home of SPFL Elgin City.

Buckie and Hopeman couldn’t be separated during the season after finishing on the 32 point mark following the split.

Time to celebrate.
Time to celebrate.

Buckie had been 30 seconds away from winning the title in their penultimate clash of the season with Hopeman which denied them the title at that time.

With both games ending in 2-2 draws, the head to head record couldn’t decide the outcome so a play-off was required.

Mair said: “I am absolutely delighted. The boys were amazing and deserved the win.

“Borough Briggs is brilliant and I would like to thank Elgin City for giving us the opportunity to play here.

Paul Mellon makes it 1-0 to Buckie.
Paul Mellon makes it 1-0 to Buckie.

“They did everything I wanted them to do and I could not ask any more.

“There has been nothing between us this season but our boys were fantastic today.”

Mair paid tribute to Alistair McLean, who has been with the club 22 years as manager and chairman, who said: “We have been runners up about 10 times and couldn’t get over the line. I am chuffed for Neil and the boys.”

A knee slide for goalscorer Paul Mellon.
A knee slide for goalscorer Paul Mellon.

Mair also thanked his former co-manager Jim Brindle for his support.

Goals from Paul Mellon (32), William Morrison (49) and Russel McLaughlin (90+1)sealed the win.

Russell McLaughlin (left) and Christopher Ramage challenge for the ball.
Russell McLaughlin (left) and Christopher Ramage challenge for the ball.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More