Third Round Draw – Greenock Morton v Buckie Thistle

Have to admit to being somewhat relieved when the draw was posted on the SFA website! After a 460 mile round trip to Buckie, I don’t think there was a club in the draw which was nearer to me than Greenock Morton. Sadly though, I have been to Cappilow in the past (Mr Hawkes testimonial was the last one – and why that ball was never squared to you for a tap in I’ll never know either mate!), and much as I’m sure there’s always a friendly welcome there (are you listening Buddies?), I was hoping that this trail would take me to as yet undiscovered grounds.

Looking forward to a good game, I had a sneaking suspicion that Duncan Shearer’s Jags may have a wee cup run in them, however, this may be a bridge too far. Safe journey down lads!

Greenock Morton v Buckie Thistle

24th Novemebr 2007         3.00pm

The Scottish Cup Trail, Buckie Thistle v Nairn County

And so to Buckie… A 460 mile round trip to watch Buckie Thistle v Nairn County in the 2nd Round of the Scottish Cup was not a proposition I was entirely looking forward to! However, onwards and upwards, and I knew I could rely on my family and friends to join in the occassion with me and keep me company on the long trip. Until however they started dropping like flies. Many washings to be done and sinks to be unblocked, cats to be de flea’d and all those imortant jobs which just could not wait till Sunday! So it was that I set of on my tod – just as well I quite enjoy my own company! A longer than normal stay in the pub the previous night had ensured that a sore head would keep me company for at least part of the journey up to Buckie, soothed occassionally with frantic gulps of my water bottle -”not far to Aviemore for some coffee and grub!” It was’nt until around Dunkeld that my senses started to sharpen (I use the word loseley) and the realisation that not only had I forgotten the map, but I also managed to forget my specs. Not really aproblem at the moment, as my eyesight is pretty good for driving, but I knew that on the dark journey home, I might just need them. Anyway, can’t turn back now! Ahh, the crags of Dunkeld come into view – one of my favourite climbing venues, many a day on those crags with Colin pushing our grades, lucky now if I could push maself up any of it’s V Diffs. (Diet Bobby and who knows?)

Arrived at Aviemore just in time to be reminded that the SNP conference was about to start. The place was hoachin’. Managed to find a cashline to get some dosh for my entrance fee and programme, grabbed a coffee (with milk – vegan diet overlooked momentarily I’m afraid to address a sair heed and caffiene intake), and donnered into the Tourist Information Office to procure directions to Buckie. Suitably informed and refreshed I made my way back to the car to head north. It’s something that goes with age isn’t it? Memeory loss. But I really should know better, I’ve always had a crap memory and it’s just gettin worse as I get old! I should have written those bloody directions down! Was it Forres or Fochabers I was to head for? Senile dementia, what was that John Cooper Clarke joke? 3 benefits of senile dementia – 1) you can hide your own easter eggs. 2) you make new freinds every day. and 3) you can hide your own easter eggs.

Whether it was Forres or Fochabers, I went the wrong way and took the long way round, finally manging to get to Buckie and find Victoria Park at ten to three. And here I was:

Scottish Cup Second Round

27th October 2007           Kick Off 3.00pm

Buckie Thistle v Nairn County

First impressions, a nice wee ground, however it was a bit parky, not helped by the wind blasting and swirling in from the North Sea. A crowd of around 500 turned up to see what was a local Highland League derby in the Scottish Cup, and as the whistle blew for kick off, it looked like it was going to be a tight match with both teams moving the ball about well despite the blustery conditions. It didn’t take the home team long to eek out and advantage, a lovely opening drive from Andy Matheson (watch this space) beating the County goalkeeper to make it 1 – 0 Buckie in 10 minutes. Some nice passing play from Buckie established their early authority on the game and it was rewarded in 14 minutes when Lewis MacKinnon rose to head a second for the home side. It looked like easy street as the visiting side struggled to make any headway in the game, however the warning signs were there for the home side when a terrific free kick from just outside the box, skelped the bar and sent the seagulls resting on the wall behind scattering into the sky. The seagulls by the way, obviously aware that the chips go on sale at half time wait patiently around the edge of the ground, ready to pounce on any unsuspecting kid/OAP/drunken fan careless enough to let slip his tray of chips!
The first half fizzled out and ended 2-0 to the home side.

Half time, time to search for a programme and get some food and drink. Shockeroony! Nae programme? You would have thought they would have made the effort, or does nobody buy programmes in Buckie. Come on guys, I’m tryin to get a nice wee collection of memorobilia of my Scottish Cup Trail! That done it was time to find where the toilets were, have a leak and grab some grub. I asked a local where the lavvy was, and was pointed to a set of doors at the front of the building. Imagine my delight when, on opening the doors, I was greeted with the sight of around 50 or 60 people, pint in hand watching the end of the first half of Man Utd game on Sky Sports! Valhalla! What a civilised place this was after all, the hospitality was on a par with anything I had seen at Celtic Park or Old Trafford. Good on you Buckie, what a great wee social club. Fully refreshed and fed, I returned to watch the teams arriving for the second half.

A tousy second half was livened up in 73 mins when Andy Matheson was sent off much to the anger of the home support. I have to agree with ref, I thought it was a shocking tackle. At least it woke the home support up (choruses of “when the Jags go steamin in” coming from the covered stand) and, if only momentarily gave Nairn County some hope. That hope was soon crushed when Matt Edmond finished well for Buckie in 77 minutes to make it 3-0 for the Jags. Nairn County however, never gave up and got their reward when Martin McDonald bundled the ball past the Buckie keeper from near range to give the County fan(s) something to get excited about. Their joy was shortlived however when David Macrae scored the goal of the game to finish Nairn County off in 82 minutes. A solo goal of some quality, he made his way to the corner flag waving is teammates to follow him, which they did and celebrated in a pile on at the flag. Game done, no complaints about the result, roll on next round!

Lets hope it’s an away tie nearer home! Watch this space!

The Scottish Cup Trail, Glasgow University v Buckie Thistle

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Scottish Cup Trail – First Round
Category: Sports

Glasgow University 1-2 Buckie Thistle

(HT 0-2)

And so it was that we, Arlene, me and young Louie Valentino headed to the West End of Glasgow to take in the first round proper of the Scottish Cup. An historic day as it was the first time Junior clubs were to be included in the first round. Our first game – selection criteria being the nearest home match to us – however, meant we missed out on a junior team! But Dicemen, there lies the beauty in Random. Glasgow Uni’s history in the Scottish Cup against Highland League opposition has not been particularly good and no amount of talking their chances up in the match programme with references to single goal defeats was going to change the result today. However, things did get a bit nervy for Buckie towards the end as they hung on to their slim margin to see themselves through to the next round.

From kick off, and playing up the slope, Buckie were pretty much in complete control. Two goals in the first half and cries of “Feed the Horse and he will score” from the travelling Buckie fans saw them take control of this tie, and the second half looked like a formality. Credit to the Uni, as they showed more commitment and belief in the second half and at least gave Kevin Main in the Buckie goal a bit more work to do. The consolation goal coming from a deflection into his own net from a Buckie defender. A frantic last 15 minutes saw some hefty tackling and tempers breaking, resulting in a stretchering off and a sending off for the Glasgow side. In the end it was too much for the Uni and Buckie go into the next round draw.

Maybe next year Glasgow Uni. Great wee venue and facilities and I love the big oak tree at the corner of the pitch. Notable moment – whilst looking for a suitable spot to park ourselves on the short, steep grassy slope amongst the other 75 or so fans who had turned up, one GUFC official announces to another that the game will be delayed 10 minutes due to the crowds. I laughed in his direction in recognition of his endearing sarcasm only to be met with a wilting sneer – he was serious! At 3:10pm the game kicked off and at 3:14 the coach carrying the Buckie fans appeared behind the goal, door opened with a hiss and the contents spilled out onto the carpark doubling the attendance numbers.

Forgot a special mention to Adventure Ted who was with us curtosy of Louies nursery.

2nd Round draw on October 2nd, is it Buckie at home or away? Baited breath!

Bobby

The Scottish Cup Trail

 

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Scottish Cup Trail – Coming Soon!!!!

Watch this space for this years report on the Scottish Cup Trail, beginning with:

First Round Proper

Glasgow University FC    V    Buckie Thistle

And going all the way to the final following the winners!

Who knows where we will end up? (Hopefully avoiding Ibrox and Parkhead on the way).