Buckie Thistle head into crunch clash with Brora Rangers with confidence after 2-0 Huntly win, says Andy MacAskill
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
BUCKIE Thistle midfielder Andy MacAskill has said the Jags are confident heading into Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park after a 2-0 win over Huntly.
MacAskill scored early and late as the Jags defeated Huntly at Victoria Park to move up to second in the Highland League table.
The Buckie talisman is now focused on Saturday's clash with Brora – saying his side are not wanting to fall behind and find themselves chasing in the title race, as they did with eventual champions Fraserburgh last season.
“Even though it’s early days, if Saturday doesn’t go how we like then we are chasing Brechin,” MacAskill said.
“Brora will be feeling the same way – but we are feeling good and we have got the belief we can go and get wins at these places.
“The response to the Brechin loss has been good. We don’t want to be chasing but at the same time it’s early in the season. We played Brora at a similar point last season and lost and recovered.
"Whatever happens we will keep perspective. If we win then great, but if it doesn’t go as we’d like then there are plenty games to come. We can only think about the title around March.”
MacAskill’s brace on Saturday ensured Buckie returned to second in the table – three points behind Brechin City, who won 5-0 at Strathspey Thistle.
His first goal came as a whipped free-kick found its way in at the back post, with his second coming deep into stoppage time, with Huntly throwing men forward searching for a leveller.
“It was me that scored two against Huntly, but another game it’ll be Kyle MacLeod, Sam Urquhart or Max Barry,” MacAskill added.
“We got lots of opportunities and were a bit wasteful. It was a difficult game but we should have killed it.
"We had three or four chances within 10 or 15 minutes of half-time and if it goes to 2-0 the game is dead.
“But a combination of poor finishing and goalkeeper saves kept Huntly in it and they had a couple of chances to hurt us.
"We aren’t going to score four or five every week but thankfully we got the goal to finish it.”
Meanwhile, Buckie have been drawn to host Northern Irish champions Linfield in the Challenge Cup on September 24/25 – a draw that has excited the Buckie squad.
“When you play in these competitions you always want to visit new places or play different teams,” MacAskill said.
“It doesn’t get much better than this. I followed Linfield’s progress in Europe and they were a minute away from qualifying for the Conference League.
“It’ll be a free hit for us and a chance to enjoy the occasion. Regardless of how it goes, it’ll be a game that’s part of Buckie’s history.”
