GILMOUR GUNS DOWN TOOTHLESS JAGS

Banks o’ Dee handed Buckie Thistle their first league defeat of the season with a hard fought victory at Spain Park.

A superb individual goal from Mark Gilmour and a Max Alexander tap-in won it for the Aberdeen men, who remain unbeaten in the league after six matches.

Lachie Macleod had a couple of early shots blocked by the Jags defence, then at the other end Josh Peters flicked a header just wide from Andy MacAskill’s cross.

Peters then did well to cut inside his man on the byline, but his stinging drive was parried clear by Andy Shearer.

Max Barry set up Peters again with a good run down the left flank, only for the Jags number nine to fire his cross over the crossbar under pressure from Darryn Kelly.

Mark Gilmour put Dee ahead on 26 minutes, shrugging off Scott Adams and bursting through the Jags defence to crash a tremendous strike high past Stuart Knight from the right of the penalty area.

Darryl McHardy then fired a shot wide after a nice header down from Adams, as the visitors pushed for a leveller before half time.

Buckie manager Graeme Stewart responded by replacing Adams and Jack MacIver with Lyall Keir and Cohen Ramsay at the break.

Dee were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes when Jack Murray was adjudged to have fouled Kane Winton from a corner. Knight came to Buckie’s rescue, saving Magnus Watson’s spot kick with his legs, then producing a wonder stop from Gilmour from the rebound.

Max Alexander made it two from the resultant corner, latching onto a rebound to fire home from six yards.

The game disintegrated from there and MacAskill was sent off for a second booking after saying something to the referee, before Marc Young was red carded for the home side for reacting to a challenge by Cohen Ramsay.

Substitute Keir went down under a challenge in the penalty area late on, but Buckie didn’t threaten the Dee goal beyond that and the home side ran out deserved winners.

Buckie boss Graeme Stewart conceded the better team won:
“That’s two games in a row we haven’t scored in and that’s not good enough.”
“We didn’t move the ball quick enough and just didn’t create enough chances during the game.”
“I thought they (Dee) played well. They’re a big, physical side who played to their strengths and outmuscled and out worked us.”
“We weren’t good enough today and the better team won. Well done to Banks o’ Dee and we just need to move on.”
“We’re still a good passing team that are lacking a clinical edge just now. I’m not overly worried though, I know we have players who can score goals.”
“We just need to get over this little hurdle.”
On Andy MacAskill’s red card:
“He’s let himself down and his team down, but he knows that and he’s apologised and we’ve accepted his apology.”
“The ref doesn’t really need to send him off to be honest, they need to be a bit more sensible. It was our free kick and unless he’s said something horrific, then referees need to use a bit more common sense.”
“I feel for him a bit because I’ve been there myself and been sent off for mouthing.”

Buckie Th: S. Knight, D. Wood (L. Mackinnon 85), R. Fyffe, J. Murray, D. McHardy; J. MacIver (C. Ramsay 46), S. Pugh (c), M. Barry (M. Goodall 72); A. MacAskill, J. Peters, S. Adams (L. Keir 46). Subs not used: E. Storrier, H. Munro.

Note: Photo provided by Banks o' Dee photographer Craig Duff