Morrison Motors Aberdeenshire Shield Final Tie Wednesday 14 November 2007

INVERURIE LOCOS 0 BUCKIE THISTLE 3 (MacMillan, N Davidson, Matheson) 

Duncan Shearer could only praise his players for the exertions which brought them and their loyal supporters, who had come by train, plane, automobile and in four supporters buses, their second trophy of the season thusfar.

Indeed, the normally well supported Locos side was greatly outnumbered throughout the ground by an eager and vociferous Jags' travelling army, who whooped and hollered their way through an exciting ninety minutes play, on an excellent night for football, although the surface was a tad slippy.

"The first half, in my opinion, was pretty evenly balanced, but Craig MacMillan's tremendous volley which gave us the interval lead was decisive." he commented, continuing, "We eventually ran out convincing winners of the Shield, but we have to get our feet back on the ground in time for the forthcoming Highland League match against Keith this weekend, which will be a very tough encounter."

The manager rang the changes in his starting lineup, bringing in Neil Davidson, Mike Macdonald and Craig MacMillan for Andy Matheson, Tony Low and Stephen Bruce, respectively, while mascot, Grant Fraser also took the field with his heroes, presenting the opposing Skipper with a commemorative pennant on behalf of the club. 

Locos came out strongly and had a couple of early half chances, but poor shooting by former Don, Scott Michie in particular, let them down, Kevin Main not being brought in to play by any of the shots.

Buckie's first real chance came in 11 minutes, when a trademark run by Mike Macdonald saw him surge inside before setting up Neil Davidson, but Paul Jarvie, Locos' keeper won the footrace to the ball, thwarting the midfielder's efforts to get on the end of the pass.

Their next real chance arrived in the 26 min., when Mike Mcdonald picked out Graeme Stewart on the right with an inchperfect pass, but despite "Spider" setting Neil Davidson, "Zico" was again denied, this time by a Locos defender, who got in a last-ditch tackle.

Mike Macdonald tried his hand, unsuccessfully, shortly afterwards, but he failed to get enough purchase on the ball, which Jarvie held comfortably enough, on his line.

Michie and Nicol, normally a feared frontline, were unable to make anything of the solid Thistle defence, which has of late become adept at soaking up pressure, then setting up breaks for their own forward line

Nine minutes from the interval, Mike Macdonald was taken out of play by Tommy Wilson, who was vilified by the Buckie fans for the misdemeanour.

It was becoming a matter of time before the Jags took the lead as they forced the Harlaw Parkers back and, in 39 minutes, a move up the left saw Rob Duncan cut inside before delivering a classic, low, driven cross into the crowded Locos' area, where CRAIG MacMILLAN connected with a sweet six yard volley, which gave Jarvie no chance as the ball flashed home.

The second half was barely a minute old,  when a  free kick towards the back post saw Mark Simpson knock the ball down but although Michie hooked it over his shoulder towards the bottom corner Kevin Main got down to palm it away, round his left hand post.

Buckie were in determind mood though and with 51 minutes played, doubled their advantage, when live-wire Andy Low whacked a low flag kick to the near post, where the ball was flicked on to NEIL DAVIDSON, whose stooping header flashed home, to the delight of the player and his celebrating team-mates.

It was a great boost to the players and fans alike, whose confidence grew by the second, the Buckie players beginning to sweep the ball around more assertively.

There was more to follow though and an inspired substitution by Duncan Shearer, saw the clinchgoal arrive in71 minutes, when Andy Matheson, who had barely touched the ball,  scored with his first touch, a front post header from another pinpoint Andy Low corner. 

Further substitutions in the shape of Stephen Bruce, for goal machine Craig MacMillan and Jamie Shewan, for Brian Neill, whose class had shown through all night, transpired, but although the Jags dominated play in the main, they were unable to increase their tally, but the fans didn't care.

Even when local hero, Jamie Shewan missed a snip just two minutes from time, blazing an Andy Low free kick over the bar from only six yards out, the Jags support continued to sing and teas the luckless Locos players as the celebrations approached.

At the end, the floodgates opened and a mad scamper across the field was the scene as Buckie fans and players rejoiced, before the presentation of medals and the impressive trophy by the sponsors.

As Duncan stated, it's a case of focusing on the big game this coming Saturday, but even the most sober and sedate Buckie fan or official will surely be basking in a bit of glory as the club win their second trophy in a season for the first time in 21 years.

Fittingly, Thistle's silky skilled midfileder, David Macrae, was named the Sponsors' Man of the Match, although any one of a half a dozen others could have been so named,  bringing the curtain down on a marvellous night for the Jags fans, players and management alike.

Inverurie lineup: Jarvie, McCulloch, Scott, Wilson, Simpson, Buchan, Youngson(Park79), Ross, Nicol, Michie, Gordon(Singer59).

Jags lineup: Main, Neill(Shewan74), Duncan, MacKinnon, N Davidson, Small, Macdonald(Matheson70), Macrae, A Low, MacMillan(Bruce72), Stewart. Not used: Angus, Strong (gk).

Referee; Mr A Freeland.