HIGHLAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP: Buckie boss says focus is on winning title rather than setting records
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Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart reiterated that his focus is on securing the Highland League title rather than setting records after the Jags extended their winning run to 19 games with Saturday's 4-0 victory at Wick.
“I think 20 is the record, but to be honest I'm not interested in the record – I'm interested in trying to win the league,” Stewart said. “If we draw the next game and win the league I'm over the moon.
“If we keep winning, we might break the record – but that is secondary in everyone's mind.”
In the build-up to the match at Harmsworth Park, Stewart had said he would happily settle for “the ugliest 1-0 win ever”. Until the midway point in the second period, it looked as though that might prove to be the case as the Jags led through Max Barry's 19th-minute strike in a scrappy encounter played in bright but blustery conditions.
But two goals in the space of four minutes from Lewis MacKinnon and Sam Urquhart put the game beyond Academy's reach and Andy MacAskill completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Buckie remain a point behind leaders Fraserburgh, who thumped Deveronvale 5-0 at Bellslea Park with goals from Aiden Combe, Paul Young, Scott Barbour, Lewis Duncan and Gary Harris.
Brora bounced back from their 5-0 loss at Buckie in midweek by thrashing Lossiemouth 7-0 at Dudgeon Park.
There was a hat-trick for Jordan MacRae, while Dale Gillespie scored his 100th goal for the Sutherland club. Martin Maclean, Josh Meekings and Tony Dingwall got the others.
Third-placed Brechin City kept in touch with the top two by beating Strathspey Thistle 3-1 in Grantown in their first ever visit to Seafield Park.
The Jags put in a good display in their defeat with Ross Logan restoring parity after Ewan Loudon had given the visitors the early lead in the 8th minute.
However, Loudon put the visitors back in front on the hour mark and David Cox sealed the win in the 76th minute.
A late own goal by Graham Fraser handed Rothes a 1-0 win against Forres Mechanics at Mackessack Park.
Nairn County stayed ninth, two points behind Wick Academy, after a 2-1 defeat away to Clachnacuddin.
Brora, who are fourth, meet Fraserburgh in the pick of the Wednesday night fixtures.
Highland League results: Brora Rangers 7, Lossiemouth 0; Clachnacuddin 2, Nairn County 1; Formartine United 4, Keith 0; Fraserburgh 5, Deveronvale 0; Huntly 1, Inverurie Locos 1; Rothes 1, Forres Mechanics 0; Strathspey Thistle 1, Brechin City 3; Wick Academy 0, Buckie Thistle 4.
Fixtures – Wednesday: Brechin City v Inverurie Locos; Brora Rangers v Fraserburgh; Buckie Thistle v Rothes; Clachnacuddin v Formartine United; Forres Mechanics v Fort William; Keith v Lossiemouth; Nairn County v Huntly.
Saturday, March 26: Brechin City v Brora Rangers; Clachnacuddin v Lossiemouth; Deveronvale v Buckie Thistle; Fraserburgh v Wick Academy; Inverurie Locos v Fort William; Keith v Huntly; Nairn County v Formartine United; Rothes v Strathspey Thistle; Turriff United Forres Mechanics.
