Buckie Thistle 3 v Keith 0
MAROONS SICKENER IN LATE, LATE SHOW
Nae sour grapes fae me, but if you weren’t at the Viccy on Saturday, and you saw the score-line, you probably thought, “an easy, comfortable run oot for the outgoing Champions as expected”. Well, it took three goals in the last seven minutes for Buckie to break Keith hearts in the 187th league meeting between the sides. A bare-bones starting line-up and a bench as threadbare as my wallet at the end of the month, had us travelling down the Braes of Enzie with not a little trepidation. Yet, the makeshift Maroons gave their absolute all, and, especially in the first half, when they had the upper hand, the outcome might have been different if we’d had a wee smile from Lady Luck and our sharpshooting been a mite sharper. Anyway, she didn’t smile, and our sharpshooting wasn’t sharp enough, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow.
There was a tinge of sadness attached to the pre-match as we paid homage to long standing Buckie fan Jim Johnston, better known as “J J” who sadly passed away recently. His Grandson Jack piped the teams onto the Park, then we had a minute’s applause in his memory.
With the wind at their backs the Maroons attacked with gusto and teenagers Cammy Wilson and Brody Alberts were a hot handful for the Jags’ rearguard. Young Cammy was unlucky in the 10th minute when his lob screwed inches past the far post. Then, seven minutes later Sam Pugh toppled the 18 year old on the edge of the box, and the youngster’s well struck low free kick was eventually cleared.
With twenty five minutes gone 18 year old Alberts, giving the heart of the Buckie defence a torrid time, appeared to be fouled as he was trying to pull the trigger, but penalty claims were waved aside. The Maroons were certainly belying their lowly league status, and the large number of key personnel missing, and a minute from the half-time cuppa the “Terrible Twins” were at it again, combining for Wilson to send a flashing 12 yarder inches past the foot of the post.
A blow to visiting hopes at the restart though as Wilson had suffered a knee injury just on the stroke of half time, and 17 year old Adegbola Adeniyi, better known as simply “Ade”, replaced him. I’m telling you now… bags of skill, and a name to remember!
Jags took control with a rising wind at their backs, and started pinging balls into the danger area, but the rearguard was standing firm and 19 year old goalie Connor Macleod showed safe handling. When Jamie Milne produced a terrific goal-line headed clearance to deny Andy Macaskill in the 73rd minute, you began to get the feeling that this might.. just might.. end up goal-less.
Then, a right sickener with 83 minutes on the old sun dial, wee Andy fired in an edge of the box free kick, and Innes McKay sent a looping header over Macleod and into the old ingin bag from 10 yards.. Flipping heck! Or words to that effect! A minute later the bold Andy was replaced, receiving a deserved, standing ovation, as he had intimated earlier in the week that he was hanging up his boots, so this was his last appearance. Jings, Andy, could you not have come off a couple of minutes earlier?!
Buckie were in the ascendancy and despite a marvellous Macleod stop, and the loose ball pinging off the post Darryl McHardy made no mistake with a close range header. That was us well and truly stung by the Jags. Then in the dying seconds, a rare fumble by young Connor allowed Lyall Keir to slam home from six yards. Were we deflated or what? Disappointing, but most unfortunate to end the season such a losing note.
A final word from me on the afternoon’s proceedings – I wish Andy Macaskill all the very best on his footballing retirement. Keith signed Andy when he’d been freed from Caley as a 19 year old in the summer of 2011, and went on to make 89 appearances, scoring 24 goals for the Maroons. His most important contribution was scoring the opening goal when Keith defeated Inverurie Locos 2-1 to win the Highland League Cup two years later. Andy, you’ll never be forgotten at Kynoch Park, a top player, and a top bloke!
KEITH – Macleod, Milne, Barron, Spink, Ironside (Murray 87), Lynch, McKeown, Laird (Stuart 87), Alberts, C Wilson (Adeniyi 46). Subs unused – Craib, Reid.
Referee – A Ross
Saturday 12th April 2025, KO 8pm
Report by Charlie Simpson