Buckie Thistle are crowned 2023-24 Highland League champions by narrowest of margins

Buckie Thistle are champions of the Highland League.

A bumper crowd turned out at Victoria Park to see the Jags end seven trophyless years with a 1-0 victory against Moray rivals Keith.

Max Barry’s eighth-minute goal was enough to see Graeme Stewart’s side over the line after what was a nervy affair.

The joy of the supporters was uncontainable at full-time, with hundreds steaming onto the park to celebrate with their heroes.

Buckie - who won five matches in 10 days in a hectic run-in - went into the final day knowing that any win would leave rivals Brechin needing to win by three goals more.

And while Brechin won 2-1 against Brora, the Jags’ victory meant they sealed the title on goal difference.

The title is the 12th in Buckie’s Highland League history and has vanquished the demons of the last two campaigns, in which the Jags twice finished runners-up having taken the title to the final day.

In 2022 they won 24 and drew one of their last 25 matches yet still lost out to Fraserburgh

Last season Buckie led Brechin going into the final day when they two sides met in a Victoria Park decider.

Stewart’s side needed just a point to win the league and the score was 0-0 going into the final four minutes when Brechin scored twice to break home hearts and nick the trophy.

Buckie will aim to seal the double on Tuesday night when they take on Inverurie Loco Works at Keith’s Kynoch Park in the Aberdeenshire Cup final.

But it was a day to forget for Strathspey Thistle who were hammered 10-0 by Fraserburgh who finish in third place three points behnd Buckie and Brechin City.

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