BUCKIE HIT BACK TO KEEP THE TITLE

SUBSTITUTE LOW'S FAIRYTALE WINNER BRINGS RELIEF FOR MANAGER CARROL AFTER JAGS GO BEHIND

Buckie Thistle retained the Highland League title after recovering from a goal down to see off the challenge of Deveronvale in a winner-takes-all decider at Victoria Park.

Vale led through Mark Chisholm's brilliant 40th minute header.

But two minutes into the second half Martin Charlesworth levelled with a clinical 15-yard shot and in the final minute Andy Low's wonderful dipping 25-yard free kick sparked off jubilant celebrations among the huge home support.

The first half was far from classic, with so much at stake.

But Chisholm's goal opened up the match and the second period lived up to expectations, providing a nailbiting climax.

Buckie manager Gregg Carrol said: "We didn't retain the title - we had to win it all over again.

"My heart sank a bit when we went down 1-0 but at half-time all I told my players was to keep on playing.

"We really should have picked up such a dangerous header of the ball as Mark Chisholm at the corner but I thought Martin Charlesworth was fabulous at our equaliser.  It was a great finish and then shortly after he hit the inside of the post with another great shot and then headed another just past the post.

"We brought on Andy Low with four minutes to go.  He is fantastic at set-pieces and the way he stepped up to score under such pressure was magnificent - especially as it was the first touch of the ball."

Carrol was quick to pay tribute to opponents Deveronvale.

He said: "The Vale supporters were fantastic to me when I was their manager and they were briliant again today.

"But I've almost run out of words to describe just how superb the Buckie supporters are.  I'm just delighted we have been able to put a smile on their faces over the last two seasons."

Deveronvale manager Scott Anderson was magnanimous in defeat.

He said: "My players have been outstanding all season.  This was a massive game and, although I don't think they froze, I don't think they played anywhere near our usual standards.  That is disappointing.

"Fair play to Buckie as they thoroughly deserved their win and this is one of those defeats where you have just got to take it on the chin.  Hopefully we are going to learn from it and it will make us come back stronger next season."

Anderson added: "The players must learn from this experience and the occasion.  They've watched Buckie pick up the championship trophy and it's sore just now.  But this group of players have been absolutely outstanding for us all season and I'm sure they'll all come back stronger next season."

There was little between the teams in the opening exchanges, but the game burst into life in the 40th minute when Mike McKenzie's pinpoint corner picked out Vale captain Chisholm unmarked eight yards out and he powered a header past Kevin Main in the Buckie goal into the roof of the net.

Three minutes after the restart the home side equalised.  Gary Clark's through ball eluded Vale central defender Scott Fraser and Martin Charlesworth ran on and rounded James Blanchard before stroking the ball into the far corner of the net from an acute angle.

A point would have been good enough to keep the championship trophy in the Buckie boardroom, but the Jags did it in style in the 90th minute when Andy Low's superbly executed 25-yard free kick went up and over the Deveronvale wall and into the roof of the net past the helpless Blanchard.

When referee Bryan Braidwood, who had handled the game well, blew the final whistle it sparked off wild celebrations among the 2,000 home supports who streamed on the the pitch to celebrate with their team

Report by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal