WATCH - Manager Melissa Smith says Highlands and Islands League Cup winning quines mean a lot to the town and community at Buckie
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MANAGER Melissa Smith says Buckie winning the Highlands and Islands League Cup for the first time will mean everything to the town.
Smith says the significance of winning their first trophy will mean the world to everyone not just to community football in Buckie, but to the town itself.
She said: "It means a lot to the town and to everyone who has been involved in community football and a lot to the girls.
"It shows you hard work does pay off.
"It was the first one in the club's history and the first time we made it here and it went to penalties.
"The quines dug deep and showed character, for it to go to penalties and win it is just amazing and i'm so proud of them.
"We have worked so hard to get here and have been determined.
"The talent shown through and it is an amazing moment in the club's history.
"The quines, every one of them, have been amazing."
Buckie had to cope with long periods of pressure during the final as Sutherland created a number of chances.
Smith says being in a cup final was a new occasion which her players had to adapt to, but were good enough to come out on top.
"Sutherland made it hard for us, the last time we played them we were 4–0 up at half time, but there were a lot of factors today.
"There was nerves, pressure and we played in front of a bigger crowd than usual. "But we got a goal early which helped us and then we were unlucky in the first half not to find the net again, but that is how football goes.
"Every time we got a goal, they equalised, but we got there in the end."
Smith also gave special praise to goalkeeper Sophia Golebiewski who made vital saves during the match as well as in the penalty shoot-out.
"My goalkeeper also saved a penalty in the semi final," said Smith.
"I knew she had it in her and had the focus, she only turned 17 on Saturday and she is amazing."
Buckie have won every competitive match during 2022 and are five points clear at the top of the Highlands and Islands League ahead of second placed Sutherland.
Smith says her players now know they are capable of a league and cup double and that is the aim.
"We are going to try and finish with a double, but football is a fickle sport. You are only as good as your last performance and I want to keep it going in every game by staying composed, focussed and work hard.
"The league has always been our big focus, but it is definitely on now."
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