ABERDEENSHIRE CUP FINAL SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2007 AT CHRISTIE PARK, HUNTLY

BUCKIE THISTLE 1 (MacKinnon 11)        KEITH 0

Championees! The whole victorious Buckie squad celebrated as the fans whooped it up on rain sodden Christie Park after their memorable victory over a Keith side, which had its chances, but had to play second fiddle to the Jaunty Jags all afternoon, thus laying the ghost of last season's League Cup Final humiliation.

Young Vikki Johnston, the side's mascot for the final got in the act at the outset, her charm clearly prompting the match refreree to invite her to toss the commemorative coin to decide kick off options.

Her good fortune obviously rubbed off on the team as they prepared to do battle in the windswept conditions, but although an early shot from Andy Matheson posted Buckie's intent, it was the Maroons of Keith who forced an the first of many fruitless corners,with only six minutes played.

Further Keith pressure in 9 minutes saw kev main get an early hold of the ball, as he defied a nunber of maroon shirtsconverging on him at the Kynoch men's next flag kick.

Two minutes later, en excellent build up involving the whole Buckie midfield saw them pass their was from their own penalty box to the Keith 'box, winning a corner kick as a result.

This first effort was deflected behind by a Keith defender, but the follow up cross from mark Hamilton, was met cleanly by LEWIS MacKINNON, whose powerful downward header bulged Shearer's net to send the huge Buckie support wild with glee.

This counter was no less than the team deserved and they began to press on at every opportunity, with Tony Low, an inspired signing, who has been taken to their hearts by the Jags support, was a main player.

The defence, it must be said, looked much steadier and assured than of late and every move was built up from the back, with determination and no little skill.

In 20 minutes, the Keith manager was rightly lectured for persistently stepping outwith the proscribed technical area, after a foul on Tony Low put the Maroons at a disadvantage, but in the event, David Macrae shot wide of goal.

Five minuts later, the Kynoch Parkers broke three on three and after Somer's cross eluded everyone in front of goal, it came through for O'Driscoll, but the former Huntly favourite's shot was easily fielded by Main.

At the other end, on the half hour mark, Craig MacMillan linked with Macrae, but the midfield maestro's angled shot slipped wide of Shearer's far post, then a minute later he repeated the shot, only for Shearer to parry the ball away for a corner which ultimately bore no fruit.

Play continued to surge end to end in classic cup tie style, but although neither side could truly claim to hold the upper hand, it was the Jags who were the more swashbuckling and adventurous outfit, but seven minutes from the interval it looked ominous as darren Still, once darling of the Jags fans, fired in a shot, only to draw catcalls as the ball sailed away towards the car park away behind the Buckie goal.

The Buckie fans were clearly willing their heroes on and their vocal support was rewarded with clever play by the minute, to the extent that Tony Low began to showboat in the style of Renaldo, on the left flank, all but mesmerisingWatt and Somers in the process.

He centred a deep cross, but although Jamie Shewan, who had ghosted in at the back stick, got a clean header, the ball hit the side netting to the groans of the Jags fans, who had been willing their "local hero" to score. 

After the interval, Keith started briskly enough, forcing an early corner, as O'Driscoll threatened, but once more the Buckie defence proved they were equal to the task, then as play surged upfield, Shewan once more came up in support of his attack, to again head narrowly off target.

Thistle were looking the more menacing side now and Tony Low again outstripped his markers (in the plural) before rifling in an angled shot which wasn't that far off the mark.

To their credit, the Maroons continued to break when the opportunity arose and the Jags defence as a result was unable to relax, although to be fair, they always looked solid, despite Keith's corner tally rising steadily.

Kevin Main too, was inspirational, commanding his area and throwing in the odd save amid a ruck of players, when necessary, but he was never seriously threatened, until midway through the second half, when Still burst into the Jags' box.

Just as the former Jag prepared to draw a bead on Kev's charge, Kevin Small made a tackle which forced the Keith man to shoot high over the 'bar and the Jags supporters breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Time passed, with Buckie dominating the tempo in the main, punctuated by breakaways by their opponents, then in 72 minutes, a shot by Low, which had "goal" written all over it was equalled by the Keith keeper, who somehow got a hand to the ball as it screamed towards the top corner, after Marra set up the chance.

The Buckie midfield had a real stranglehold on and chances for the maroons became fewer as the final whistle approached, but almost let it slip in 83 minutes when Somers managed to set through on goal, only to shoot wide at the last.

Three minutes later, it was Tony Low at the other end, sending in another scorching shot, which zipped inches wide of target as the Jags continued to press.

A last fling of the dice saw Keith win a late corner, but the Buckie defence coped admirably and the ball was humped away without ceremony just as the referee sounded the end to a great roar of joay and releif for the Buckie travelling army of fans.

Amid wild celebrations, Tony Low was awarded "Man of the Match", althoguh in truth any one of the Buckie squad could have accepted the honour without a blush.

Kvin Small, the last to receive a winner's "gong" lift the majestic trophy for the fans to acclaim and the celebrations began.

Curiously enough, one man who received his first ever winner's medal on the day was Steven "Marra" Bruce, who has had an eleven year association with the Jags yet never been on a trophy winning side.

Jamie Shewan too was in his element, sharing his joy with just about every supporter as they lined up in droves to be photgraphed with him holding the Cup.

Back to "Aul' claes and parritch" next week though, with a visit to Grant Park, Lossiemouth, on League duty; all the more interesting as Locos went down at home, to Wick Academy, as the Jags lifted their first trophy of the season.

Buckie lineup:Main, Shewan, R Davidson, MacKinnon, Matheson, Small, T Low, Macrae, Bruce(Edmond85), MacMillan, Hamilton(Stewart82). Not used: Angus, A Low, Strong.

Keith lineup: Shearer, Watt, Lonie, Niddrie, Mackay(McSween63), Wood, Walker, Perry, Somers(Craig87), O'Driscoll(Nicol82).    Not used: Lennox, Cheyne.

Referee: Mr A Freeland