PICTURES: Buckie Ladies at the double double after League Cup humbling of Caithness
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BUCKIE Ladies FC are the toast of the town after claiming the double double.
The Gordon Park side squared up to Caithness Ladies at Nairn County's Station Park on Sunday just days after wrapping up back to back Highland and Islands League titles.
Caithness capitalised on a slow Buckie start by taking the lead with around 15 minutes on the clock, Lorna Young putting through her own goal.
However, going behind only seem to galvanise the holders who were to head into the break in the lead with the game by the scruff of the neck. Rheo Laurenson brought Buckie back on level terms with a 30 yard screamer with less than five minutes left of the half then prolific forward Lori Lappin edged her side in front just before the whistle after poking home a rebound.
The second half was barely five minutes old when Emily McAusland extended Buckie's lead. Her initial shot was saved by Caithness keeper Geena Hossack, but she spilled the ball for McAusland to gleefully pounce and net. McAusland thought she had added to her tally later but her strike was ruled out for a foul on Hossack.
Caithness came back, with Buckie changing formation from 3-5-2 to 4-5-1 to close down the game, ultimately leaving the humbled Highlanders with a long trip home after the final whistle.
Taking charge of Buckie Ladies for the final was coach Matty McMillan, deputising for boss Laura Duncan who was on a pre-arranged holiday in America.
He said: "We had a slow start, we were a bit hesitant and Caithness took advantage of that.
"We started with three at the back thinking it would be attack, attack, attack from the beginning but it didn't work out that way.
"Our heads did drop for a bit after the game but after we settled we got a lot better and played really well. After Rheo scored we smelled blood and it was a huge boost getting two quick goals before half time.
"After Emily's goal Caithness got a bit of a second wind so we went to a 4-5-1 for the last 20 minutes to try and close things down and see out the game. Caithness created a lot of chances but couldn't get behind our back line.
"There was a lot of heart and soul out there from the team, they dug deep and played for each other. A big shout out goes to the back three who did an immense amount of running.
"Having the experience of playing in and winning the final last year was a big help, as was winning the league in the run-up to the final."
It has proved quite a debut season for Duncan, claiming the league and cup titles.
In addition to taking the League Cup back to Buckie, the Highlands and Islands League trophy was also presented to skipper Rebecca McMillan. The team were to finish the season as the invincibles, winning 10 and drawing two of their 12 league fixtures.
