Man of the Match performance from Jags veteran paves way to another cup showdown

A vintage performance from 33 year old Ian Murray paved the way for Buckie Thistle's passage to the Aberdeenshire Cup final on Saturday week.

Murray carved the opener for Donnie Munro, scored another and generally teased and tormented the home defence before Steven Bruce made it 3-0.

Buckie goalkeeper Kevin Main, who got married last Saturday, was in his usual place between the sticks.

But Main will this morning be jetting off with his new bride on a honeymoon to Egypt.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with both defences on top.

But Buckie dealt an early blow on the quarter-hour mark when Charlie Brown had to go off with an ankle knock - his place up front being taken by Steven Bruce.

The Jags opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Ian Murray, the smallest player on the park, out jumped Kris Niddrie.

When Murray's deft header found Donnie Munro, Munro clipped it up and over Andy Shearer as the keeper came out to narrow the angle.

On the half-hour mark, the home side passed up a glorious chance to equalise when Darren Still's inch-perfect deep cross picked out the inrushing Stuart Walker.

But with only Main to beat, Walker's downward header flew inches wide of the upright.

Buckie doubled their advantage in the 35th minute with a hallmark Ian Murray goal.

Paul Napier's cross was flicked on by Greame Stewart to the diminutive striker who dipped his shoulder to wrong-foot two home defenders before nonchalantly threading the ball through Shearer's legs for a brilliantly executed goal.

Just after the break, Keith had another chance to reduce the leeway but this time Gary Harris headed tamely wide of the target.

Main came to his side's rescue seven minutes after the interval when he made a tremendous flying save to parry a fierce Harris drive away for what turned out to be a fruitless corner.

In the 55th minute, Buckie struck again when another Napier cross found substitute Bruce unmarked on the edge of the six yard box.

The substitute's superb downward header gave Shearer in the home goal no chance.

Bruce had a great chance to make it 4 -0 but he screwed his shot wide from 12 yards.

Shortly after, Shearer required attention after a collision with Murray before Neil Davidson clipped another one past the post with only the home keeper to beat.

With 10 minutes left, man of the match Murray left the stage to an ovation from the healthy visiting support.

The Jags team was . . . Main, Duncan, Angus, Stewart, MacKinnon, Small, Napier, Munro, Brown (Bruce 15), Murray (Sutherland 80), Davidson

Cup Final v Cove Rangers will be played on Saturday 12th September - venue to be arranged.

Report by Dave Edwards - Press & Journal