Keith 0 v Buckie Thistle 2
MAROONS STUNG BY JAGS
Despite trying to make a fist of it throughout at a sun drenched Kynoch Park, Keith found visitors Buckie Thistle too hot to handle in their Aberdeenshire Cup 1st Round tie on Wednesday. To be honest, the Jags were too strong, fast and incisive, and deserved to advance into the next Round. Mind you they were gifted the opening goal although it was still a clinical finish.
The Maroons suffered a blow after only 7 minutes when Scott Barron fell heavily, and had to be helped off. It later transpired that he had dislocated his shoulder. Cripes, that was bad enough, but then midway through the half Aaron Angus had to limp off.
Five minutes later Buckie made the breakthrough when Craig Reid came out of his charge to head away the ball, but it fell right into the path of Lyall Keir who cracked a perfect 25 yard lob into the roof of the empty net.
Jags were producing quick, fast flowing football and Reid pulled off a fine save to keep out a Finlay Allen header on the half hour mark. He was left helpless three minutes later when the same player turned quickly to crash an unstoppable drive into the roof of the old onion bag from 12 yards. A couple of minutes later Reid came to the rescue as Buckie turned the screw, denying Ryan Fyffe with a flying save.
A third injury blow befell Craig’s Commandos when Ryan Spink failed to come out for the second half, Horace Ormsby replacing him. To be fair, the Maroons tried to take the game to their visitors, and fine Ormsby play set up Jordan Cooper, whose low drive flashed inches past the post – Ach!
Buckie seemed happy to contain the homesters as they tried vainly to get on the scoresheet without actually giving goalie Euan Storrier a direct save.
The two sides now lock horns again on league business at the same venue on Saturday.
KEITH – Reid, Barron (R Robertson 7), Lynch, Bird, Spink (Ormsby 46), Angus (Gill 22), Ironside (Skea 71), C Robertson McKeown, Duncan (Paterson 71), Cooper. Subs unused – Smith, McAllister, Whyte, Craib.
Referee – Mr O Lawrence
Wednesday 6th August 2025, KO 8pm
Report by Charlie Simpson