There was a  large crowd inside Victoria Park for the opening game of the new Highland League season.

Deveronvale went ahead in 7 minutes when Shewans clearance was intercepted, the ball was switched to the right where Mackinnon fouled Carstairs in the box and MIKE MCKENZIE made no mistake, sending Main the wrong way with his spot kick.

Buckie responded minutes later when Napier crossed and Chisholm just cleared before Murray arrived at the back post.

Lepkowski was stretchered off in 15 minutes after a challenge and was replaced by Davidson.

Mackinnon almost made amends for his earlier mistake but his header flashed wide of the target.

It was 2-0 in 23 minutes when GARY MCGOWAN drove the ball into the net, it was thought that there was a push on the back of Duncan before this but the referee waved away any protests.

The Jags now had a mountain to climb but immediately came back into the match having much more of the play in the closing 15 minutes of the half.

                                   HALF TIME 0-2  

The next goal was always going to be important and it arrived in 62 minutes to bring the Jags back into the match, a corner from Duncan was volleyed home in spectacular fashion by DONNIE MUNRO.

McKenzie warmed the fingers of Main with a well struck free-kick which was palmed over and Davidson should have equalised five minutes later but blasted over from Mackinnons header back across goal. 

Main then saved a low shot from McGowan and the Jags responded by driving forward at the Vale goal with a slight wind at their backs, Ian Murray jinked past a defender in the box, Blanchard saved at point blank range, Murray was then onto the rebound in a flash with a second attempt only for the referee, who constantly stopped the match from flowing - by awarding numerous free-kicks, to once again blow for a foul.

The Jags last chance to score came with 5 minutes left when Bruce was fouled just outside the box and Murrays free-kick curled over the bar. 

                              FULL TIME 1-2  

SUMMARY -- A poor first 30 minutes cost the Jags this match, far too many mistakes and misguided passes and Deveronvale deserved their two goal lead at the interval.

Much better from the Jags after the loss of the second goal and they certainly were the better side in the second half, scoring a great goal, having the better of the play and being slightly unlucky in not forcing a draw.

Next up is another tough league match - AWAY to FORRES MECHANICS - NEXT SATURDAY (8th August) kick off 3.00pm, come along and support the Jags.

The buckie team was ...MAIN, SMALL, SHEWAN, LAMBERTON, DUNCAN, MACKINNON, LEPKOWSKI, NAPIER, MACRAE, MUNRO and MURRAY. Subs(used) DAVIDSON, MACMILLAN and BRUCE (not used) MACDONALD and STRONG. 

                               CROWD ATTENDANCE 878