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Tonight's the night for Buckie on the box


By Chris Saunderson

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BUCKIE Thistle go into Friday night’s live Scottish Cup TV showdown between the two best sides in non-league football right now as the underdogs, according to their manager.

Buckie Thistle forward Scott Graham rises up above Nairn County keeper Dylan MacLean as he tries to head the ball into the net. ..Buckie Thistle FC (2) vs Nairn County (1) - Highland Football League 12/10/2019 - Victoria Park Buckie. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Buckie Thistle forward Scott Graham rises up above Nairn County keeper Dylan MacLean as he tries to head the ball into the net. ..Buckie Thistle FC (2) vs Nairn County (1) - Highland Football League 12/10/2019 - Victoria Park Buckie. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

The Highland League leaders face Bonnyrigg Rose, top of the Lowland League, for a place in the third round of the national cup competition.

The game at New Dundas Park will be screened live on the BBC Scotland channel with a 7.05pm kick-off.

The Jags head into the game with a six point cushion at the summit of the Highland League after a 2-1 win against Nairn County on Saturday.

However, Rose are also in good form with nine wins from their 11 league games.

And Stewart believes home advantage makes Bonnyrigg the slight favourites.

Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart.
Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart.

Stewart said: “I am looking forward to the game, I am not really worried about the TV. I just want to get through it.

“It is a huge game for the club and the financial aspect means if you get through a couple of rounds it helps the directors who don’t have to put in as much money, which is important because clubs like us are relying on people to give money for this club to keep going.”

Stewart has had Bonnyrigg watched and also seen them in action himself.

“They are a very good team but we have got to put a game plan together. I saw enough in the game that I watched that I think we can hurt them. I saw their strengths and some of their weaknesses.

“We’ll be confident, they’ll be confident, so we will probably go in slight underdogs because they are at home but we will give it everything and we have a chance.

“There is a lot of pressure and a lot of build up and the players need to react properly and not go in their shell.”

Related stories:

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The BBC cameras were at Victoria Park on Saturday filming behind the scenes and during the game for a five minute piece which will be screened at half-time during Friday night’s live broadcast.

Buckie will take a healthy support with them to Midlothian, however, for fans who cannot make the game, the club will show it on a big screen at the Victoria Park function suite on Friday night.

Defender Jack Murray (19), in a second loan spell with the Jags, is looking forward to the occasion and a chance to impress his bosses at parent club Ross County as he looks to win a new contract at the end of this season. Murray, who headed the winner against Nairn, said: “I want to help Buckie out as much as possible, do my best and see where it takes us.

Jack Murray's low header was the Buckie Thistle winner against Nairn County. ..Buckie Thistle FC (2) vs Nairn County (1) - Highland Football League 12/10/2019 - Victoria Park Buckie. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jack Murray's low header was the Buckie Thistle winner against Nairn County. ..Buckie Thistle FC (2) vs Nairn County (1) - Highland Football League 12/10/2019 - Victoria Park Buckie. ..Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

“Hopefully I can get a new contract come the end of the season if I keep performing well here.

“We have a few good players and a lot better team than we had a couple of seasons ago, so there is a good chance for us.”

On the TV game, he added: “It will be a great experience and anything can happen in the Scottish Cup.”


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