Spider kick-starts Buckie's title defence
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
BUCKIE Thistle's bid for a third consecutive Highland League title is off and running.
The Jags beat Cove Rangers 1-0 at Victoria Park thanks to a Graeme Stewart goal.
In a scrappy affair, chances were few and far between.
Stewart pounced five minutes before half-time, following panic in the Cove box, to fire home from close range for the only goal.
Cove did claim an eqyaliser in the second half when Danny Milne's header was cleared off the line by Paul Napier but looked to have crossed the goalline.
Buckie had David MacRae sent off with six minutes remaining for a wild lunge at Alan Redford.
Buckie boss Gregg Carrol said: "We were probably the better side in the first but there were not a lot of chances in the game.
"Cove are a strong side with a lot of experienced players and we battled hard, which I am delighted with.
"Our shape was good, our work ethic was good and our energy levels were good," he added.
The other results in the Highland League were:
Brora Rangers 0, Formartine Utd 3.
Deveronvale 1, Forres Mechanics 1.
Fort William 1, Huntly 2.
Fraserburgh 3, Keith 2.
Locos 1, Lossiemouth 0.
Nairn 3, Strathspey 0.
Turriff 0, Rothes 1.
Wick 3, Clach 3.
