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MATCH REPORT - BUCKIE THISTLE 3 FORMARTINE UNITED 2
Craig MacMillan's superb hat-trick took the champions Buckie up to sixth place in the table, but they are still eleven points adrift of pacesetters Forres Mechanics, who also have a game in-hand.
United played the whole of the second half with 10 men after full back Stuart Smith was shown a straight red card by referee Bryan Baidwood two minutes from the break for a scything tackle on Paul Napier.The visitors looked like hanging on for a draw until the former Caley Thistle man popped up with a glancing header to seal the win.
MacMillan took his season's tally to eight thanks to a well-taken penalty and two superb headers and he proved a hot handful for United's experienced central defensive pair of Bobby Mann and Ross Campbell.
MacMillan, 27, said: "The team had been struggling, but in the last few weeks we have been improving and hopefully we can now kick-on.
"My first goal was from the spot got us back to 1-1, the kick was delayed for a couple of minutes but I kept my composure and slotted it home."My second came from a great move involving Paul Napier and Chirs Angus who raced up the wing and sent in a tremendous cross.
"I'm not very good with my head but my third was also a header. Lewis MacKinnon put the ball back into the box with an overhead kick and I managed to get it in the net."He added: "It was a great feeling. We had been leading against 10 men but they equalised with a penalty and looked like they would hold on for a draw so it was brilliant to get that late winner."
Formartine winger Barrie Stephen was a constant thorn in the side of Buckie full back Hamish Munro.
The 30-year-old was bitterly disappointed and said: "we outplayed Buckie. The pitch was superb and we were able to get the ball down and play good football.
"We got a good start, that is what the manager has been looking for in recent weeks, but Buckie came back into it with a penalty. Although we are disappointed with the result we are pleased with the performance, especially as we played the whole second half with a man down."We have had a lot of injuries throughout the season, but there is still a great spirit in the squad and hopefully we can start to string a few results together."
United took the lead in the 11th minute with a header from Callum Bagshaw which looped over Jags trialist goalkeeper Shaun Barney. Five minutes later MacMillan levelled from the spot after Bagshaw brought down Munro in the box.
Barney kept the Champions in the game with several great stops and Buckie took the lead a minute from the break with a brilliantly executed goal. Napier fed Angus and his pinpoint cross found MacMillan who bear Bremner with a powerful 12-yard downward header.
Seconds later United full back Smith brought down Napier in full flight right in front of the dugouts and referee Braidwood immediately flashed the red card.Despite their numerical disadvantage Formartine levelled from the spot in the 59th minute, McGinlay converting after Stephen had been upended in the box by Neil Davidson.
With a draw looking likely MacMillan popped up to complete his hat-trick three minutes from time with a flashing six-yard header from MacKinnon's overhead kick.
Report Dave Edwards, Press & Journal