Buckie Thistle react to manager Graeme Stewart's criticism of SPFL Trust Trophy defeat at Dundee B with positive Highland League display to beat Turriff United at Victoria Park
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BUCKIE Thistle responded to manager Graeme Stewart’s angry words at their midweek cup defeat to overpower Turriff United in the Highland League on Saturday.
Jags’ errors were punished ruthlessly by Dundee B in the SPFL Trust Trophy on Tuesday and Stewart was critical of his team’s display in the 4-0 defeat.
That scoreline was reversed at the weekend, with a much-improved Buckie seeing off Turriff to make it two wins out of two in the league.
“We are happy with four goals and the clean sheet because we needed that and fair play to the guys,” Stewart said. “They have listened to the game plan and executed it perfectly.
“It was a reaction. We played well against Dundee and it just came down to individual errors. We made mistakes for their goals and they didn’t make any mistakes. I think we created seven or eight chances and didn’t take them, they maybe had five chances and scored four. Maybe on another day we could win that game.”
Stewart picked out individuals for criticism after that loss and came under fire from some of the club’s fans on social media for doing that. He defended his decision to express his thoughts about how his players performed.
“I had a go at the guys after the game and I’m a believer that the players need to hear these things,” he said.
“Maybe the whole world has gone soft. There were a few reactions from people saying I was maybe too harsh on them but I’m not interested in these people. They are the ones who probably haven’t been successful in football.
“I remember being in changing rooms as a player and if you didn’t do your job, trust me you got pulled up on it. You just had to take it on the chin otherwise you wouldn’t be there much longer.
“I’ve worked with guys like Gregg Carrol and Steve Paterson and many others who could be brutally honest with you. You get a pat on the back when you do well and some think if you get a row you will go on and do badly.
“My players are big enough and man enough to take it. Everything I’ve said they have taken on board and their reaction has been superb.”
Two Kyle MacLeod goals and one each for Andy MacAskill and Sam Pugh won the day against Turriff.
Stewart singled out summer signings Darryl McHardy and Dale Wood for praise. “I thought they were our two best players.”
MacLeod has replaced last season’s top scorer Josh Peters who has been nursimng a groin injury but should return to training this week and be in contention for Saturday’s difficult league trip to Fraserburgh.
“They’ve had a season where they dropped off a bit which sometimes happens when you win the league. That was a wake-up call and this year I expect them to be pushing for the league again and all the cups.
“We will need to be at our best to get a result.”
