Two goals from Michael Anderson helped Stenhousemuir to a comprehensive victory over an under strength Buckie Thistle at Ochilview Park, in the opening tie in Group B of the Premier Sports Cup.

Fraser Robertson and Innes McKay made their competitive debuts for Thistle, while the absence of several players meant a place on the bench for 16-year-old local lad Blair Campbell.

Stenny wide man Ross Taylor fired the first effort tamely wide in the opening minute.

Stuart Knight then made a great block from Matty Aitken from close range after he bundled his way through a challenge in the penalty area.

Hamish Munro was booked for a late lunge on 16 minutes, and from the resultant free kick, Matty Yates curled a great strike off the top of the crossbar and over from 20 yards.

The home side took the lead three minutes later, Aitken finishing high into the net from inside the six yard box from a Taylor cross from the left of the penalty area.

Andrew MacAskill had a fierce shot from long range blocked by Michael Anderson on 23 minutes as the Jags looked for a quick response.

Darren Jamieson then handled the ball outside his area, but strangely no further action was taken by the referee. The free kick from Jack MacIver was well dealt with by the home defence.

Taylor then got in down the left flank again, but could only fire his shot into the side netting.

Taylor did make it two on 41 minutes, latching onto a clever touch from Hayes to slot the ball beyond Knight into the right-hand corner from 12 yards.

Euan Storrier replaced the injured Knight in goal at the break, Fraser Robertson then doing well to clear from in front of his goal line in the 53rd minute.

Keir shot straight at Jamieson at the other end, before creating an opening for himself and firing wide of the left post from 25 yards.

Anderson blasted a shot straight at Storrier from outside the penalty area on 57 minutes, but two minutes later he rifled goal number three into the top left-hand corner after Storrier saved well from a Yates volley.

Sam Morrison replaced Hamish Munro on 65 minutes, with Ryan Fyffe moving to right back and Morrison partnering McKay in the middle.

The home side soon making it four after a mistake let in Anderson to roll the ball beyond the advancing Storrier.

Storrier made another couple of decent stops to keep the score down, but it ended in a four-goal win for the League One side.

Buckie boss Lewis MacKinnon was disappointed with the manner of goals lost by his charges:

“We had some good spells of possession in the first half, but three of the goals are down to individual errors and we need to cut that out. It’s something that’s been bothering me throughout pre-season.”

“It’s important to keep everything in perspective though, it was a tough game and we only had one first team outfield player on the bench today, plus myself and young Blair Campbell from the Under 18 squad.”

“The boys did put in a great shift on an artificial pitch on a warm day, and we had some good individual performances, plus some not so good, so plenty to work on.”

“I’ve got to be positive; we’ve came here and faced a good League One team with very experienced coaches who have played at the top level of the game.”

A difficult afternoon for the Jags, but they competed well at different stages of the game against a good side; and it’s another 90 minutes in the bank in preparation for the defence of their Highland League title.

Another two hard fixtures up next in the cup, at home to Falkirk and Dundee United on Saturday and the following Tuesday night.

Buckie Th: S. Knight (E. Storrier 46), H. Munro (S. Morrison 65), I. McKay, C. Ramsay; S. Pugh (c), F. Robertson; J. MacIver, A. MacAskill, M. Goodall; L. Keir.

Subs not used: L. Mackinnon, B. Campbell