Buckie Thistle get ready for Scottish cup visit to Formartine United in first-ever match between two Highland League clubs to be televised live
It’s the first-ever football match between two Highland League clubs to be screened live on national TV.
Buckie Thistle manager Lewis Mackinnon is relishing Friday night’s Scottish Cup second round clash at Formartine United, with BBC Scotland’s cameras set to point on the action.
Jags are no strangers to matches live on the telly, with their Scottish Cup tie at Bonnyrigg Rose in 2019 being chosen as one of the televised matches that year.
And of course, the biggest match in the Victoria Park club’s history was their 2024 visit to Celtic Park which drew a massive TV audience as well as a 40,000 crowd.
Friday’s tie will be the first between two Highland League sides to be screened on a national network, and Mackinnon wants his men to rise to the occasion.
Both sides have already ousted fellow north sides in the competition, as Jags won 3-1 at Huntly while Formartine edged out Lossiemouth 2-1 in the last round.
“It’s good for the boys to get to showcase themselves on TV as it doesn't happen very often,” said Mackinnon, who says his team will be underdogs at North Lodge Park.
“There's quite a lot of players who have moved on from the club since our last time in a televised game.
“We all remember the Celtic game, and we had the Friday night cup game down at Bonnyrigg a few seasons ago as well where maybe Kevin Fraser played -there’s been a big changeover since.
“So many of them won’t have experienced this before. It gives that different vibe and atmosphere and gives it the big game feeling.”
The Buckie boss insists the cameras won’t put any pressure on his players and says they have nothing to lose.
“When it comes to the live TV, I use it as motivation for you to work extremely hard and give a good account of yourselves. That's what I would do and that's what I'll be asking the boys to do and there's absolutely zero pressure.
“We're going down as underdogs in my opinion, we're away from home and the pressure probably is all on Formartine to get the result given their summer transfer business.”
Formartine won 3-1 in the team’s last meeting in the league a month ago, with former Keith and Peterhead player Hamish Ritchie netting a hat-trick, including two late penalty kicks.
“We know Formartine well,” said Mackinnon. “We were down there about a month ago and I felt we were very unlucky not to come away with a point that day.
“A couple of strange decisions led to the defeat, but it'll be a tough match. They're top of the league aren't they, they're one of the form teams just now so we seem to be having to play these form teams quite often.”
Buckie warmed up for their big cup outing with a battling performance in the league at Fraserburgh on Saturday to grab a 2-2 draw.
Darryl McHardy’s penalty edged them in front before the home side pulled it back to lead 2-1, and a long range blast from 16-year-old Aberdeen loan player Aaron Cummings on 70 minutes restored parity.
“We had a couple of good opportunities towards the end to get the third goal and a couple of very good challenges from the Fraserburgh defenders prevented that,” Mackinnon said.
“Having said that, following that there was a wee onslaught with the wind and a lot of long balls and corners but we defended it resolutely, so I’m happy with the point in the end.
“It was Aaron’s first goal for us and a very good strike, he hit it low in the bottom corner from about 25 yards.
“It's something I've been asking him to do more of, because we need to have some more shots from distance. I think it could be our first goal from outside the box this season.”
Dale Wood could be back in Buckie’s squad for the first time this season while Innes McKay returns from holiday, meaning Buckie may be at full strength for the big game.