CENTRE FORWARD'S MOMENT OF GENIUS SETS UP THISTLE FOR WIN OVER FORMARTINE

After dominating the first half with nothing to show for it, 60 seconds after the break Formartine were undone by a moment of sheer genius from Ian Murray.

The Jags centre forward spotted Stewart Gray off his line and, from the edge of the centre circle, he lobbed the ball up and over the stranded United goalkeeper to set his side on the way to victory.

Buckie manager Gregg Caroll said: "They were the better side in the first 45 minutes.  But you can have possession all day and unless you do something with it then it counts for nothing if you don't have the penetration.  Ian Murray is the best player in the league.  His magnificent opening goal is what he gives a team.  Craig MacMillan also played really well and was rewarded with two goals.

"I was unhappy with our players in the first half as everytime we won the ball we kept on giving it back to Formartine.  We have to do better but perhaps their legs went a wee bit after a hard cup tie at Fraserburgh in midweek."

Deflated Formartine United manager John Gardiner said: "Ian did what he has done for years.  He is a great little player and, if you give him enough space and the opportunity, he will pick something out.

"They then had the momentum and they got a second goal when we were again caught in no-man's land 2 - 0 and the game was over.

"We still tried to pass the ball and play football but, with the injuries we are carrying, it isn't easy.  We lost Andy Bagshaw just before the game, Barry Somers is still out as is Barrie Stephen, so that's three major players who are unavailable,"

The home side enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the first half and only a tremendous save from Bucke goalkeeeper Kevin Main two minutes from the break stopped Stuart McKay from handing the home side an interval lead.  However, within 60 seconds of the restart Murray showed how to finish.

Six minutes later the home defence were again caught out when a long punt up the park by Kevin Small found MacMillan and he ran on to clip the ball over Gray as the goalkeeper advanced to narrow the angle.  Another piece of Murray magic set up Jags' third goal, his brilliant 62nd minute reverse-pass allowed MacMillan to stride on to slide the ball past the helpless Gray for his second and Buckie's third goal.

Report by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal