Stenhousemuir 4 Buckie Thistle 0: Jags represent Highland League on national stage as competitive football returns
COMPETITIVE football returned to Scotland on Saturday as Buckie Thistle represented the Highland League on the national stage.
The Jags were beaten 4-0 by League One side Stenhousemuir at Ochilview Park, with manager Lewis Mackinnon admitting that the two-tier difference between the sides showed.
Goals from Matty Aitken and Ross Taylor had the hosts two up at half time, before Michael Anderson rounded off the scoring with a double.
“Stenny were very good,” Mackinnon said. “Their movement and rythms of play were good. They have some good quality players and it showed.
“Four or five of our boys wouldn’t have looked out of place playing for Stenny, but the other five or six didn’t step up. Playing a team a couple of leagues above, you need all 11 to be at that level.
“All our boys are capable of it, but weren’t at it on Saturday and we didn’t have many options to change it around.
“I have got to look at the positives. There were some good phases. We have been through the League Cup before, these results aren’t unexpected, and it can only stand us in good stead.”
The Jags are set for more stern challenges as Championship side Falkirk and Premiership side Dundee United travel to Buckie in the space of four days. Both sides were champions of their leagues last season.
First up is Falkirk on Saturday, before United visit Victoria Park on Tuesday.
“Falkirk beat Dundee United, so it’s going to be a tough game,” Mackinnon added. “But we are at home. We want to contain them and stay in the game.
“I know myself, I love trying to raise my game against teams from leagues above. We want to get points in this competition but it will be tough.”
Buckie are set to have four players return for this weekend - and two long-term injuries could be back in the Jags picture by the end of the League Cup campaign.
Dale Wood, Liam Harvey, Joe McCabe and Josh Peters will all be available against Falkirk having missed the clash with Stenhousemuir.
Darryl McHardy and Kevin Fraser - who has been out injured for almost two years - could return in this campaign, with a target set on the fixture with Ayr United on July 27.
“Kevin has done all of pre-season,” Mackinnon added. “He is looking good and sharp - it’s hard to believe he had that length of time out.
“We don’t want to push him too hard so he is going through specialist training in Inverness twice a week.
“Darryl has also been out for a long period of time and has also done every training session. They will both be like new signings and will strengthen the squad massively.”
Talking of new signings, that is also something on Mackinnon’s mind.
He added: “We are working hard to bring in new recruits.
“We have been working hard all summer, but it’s a very competitive market and everyone is fighting over the same pool of players.
“We want players to improve to the team, not just the squad, so it needs to be the right player.”
