Elgin City striker Fin Allen makes stunning start to loan spell at Highland League Buckie Thistle including deadly double at title chasers Brechin City
Three goals and an assist in his first two matches for Buckie Thistle is a great return for Elgin City loan striker Fin Allen.
The 20-year-old netted both Jags goals in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at title chasers Brechin City, adding to his debut strike in a 5-1 victory over Rothes.
Allen’s career at Elgin has been plagued by injury, and he spent the first half of the season on loan at Huntly before being recalled by the Borough Briggs club at the turn of the year.
With City’s own injury list shortening, manager Allan Hale decided to farm the player out to Buckie and he has made a sensational start with the Victoria Park outfit.
He twice fired Buckie ahead at Brechin with sublime finishes, but a Dayle Robertson penalty and a close range Marc Scott goal rescued a point for the title chasers.
“I’m pleased with the start here. That’s three goals now as a well as an assist,” said Allen, who runs his own football coaching business in Elgin.
His first strike came midway through the first half following a good team move.
“Lyall (Keir) had the ball out on the right and played it up to Aaron (Nicolson) who's set me off first time out wide.
“I've taken a touch inside and just sort of wrapped my foot around it, curled it into the top left corner.”
Allen repeated the feat on 64 minutes, before the home side levelled for a second time ten minutes later.
“It was a long ball over the top and their two centre halves got sort of mixed up and a bit of a confusion, tried to clear it up and it's just landed for Andy MacAskill.
“He’s laid it off and I've got my shot off into the left-hand side again in the left corner.”
Allen explained how his need for game time saw him loaned out for a second time this season by his parent club.
“I spoke to the gaffer and we both agreed that it would be best for both sides that I go out and get as many minutes as I can.
“I’m looking to get fitness and sharpness into my legs so that I can come back pre-season and be ready to fight for getting into that first 11 at Elgin, which is always the aim.”
Allen has joined up at Jags with former Elgin City team-mates Darryl McHardy, Liam Harvey and Josh Peters, and trains once a week with City on Tuesdays and once with Buckie the following day.
“I had one training session with Buckie and we had Rothes for the first game and I wasn't really expecting to start.
“But I played from the start and got a goal, so I got off to a good start . My confidence is it's up there just now so hopefully I can keep it keep it running til the end of the season.”
Fin briefly linked up at Huntly with his older brother Brodie, who is now on loan at Lossiemouth. He said there is a competition for goals between the siblings.
“It was good playing alongside him at Huntly but it was a weird one because we both sort of play similar positions, so you're almost battling against each other to try and get in the starting 11.”
Fin has played in a variety of positions both with Elgin and Huntly but is enjoying playing as a central striker with Jags.
“I've been playing sort of the number nine recently - more of a forward position. At Huntly I've been playing centre mid in the ten, out wide as well so I'm enjoying the challenge and the pressure to score the goals and I’ve enjoyed it so far.”
