The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
BUCKIE SCUTTLEDBY CITY’S SUPERSUB
McLeod bracetono availas Thistlein lateblow
Two-goal Buckie Thistle striker John McLeod could not hide his disappointment after the Highland League champions tumbled out of the Scottish Cup despite leading twice against Brechin City at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Two goals from City substitute Isaac Layne did the damage to Buckie and gave the struggling Championship side a first competitive win of the season.
Buckie led twice through clinical strikes from man-of-the-match MacLeod but Layne’s inspired introduction turned the game in Brechin’s favour.
MacLeod said: “I’m gutted as I could and should have scored a hat-trick.The one I missed was the easiest chance out of the three.
“They’re obviously playing in the Championship but I still feel that we created enough chances to win the game. Their second-half substitute made the difference, I believe he hadn’t scored so far this season but he got two after he came on today. He was in the right place at the right time.”
Layne said: “I try my best for the team. Buckie are a good side with decent striker in John McLeod, so I’m glad we managed to get through to the next round.
“At half-time if you had given me a replay I would have taken it but I’m just glad that we showed a lot of bottle to get the job done and get into the next round.”
The Highland League champions were without injured Kevin Fraser, Chris Angus and Sam Urquhart, while the Championship side was at full strength.
Buckie shocked City when they took the lead in the third minute. Jay Cheyne played the ball over the top and last season’s Highland League top goalscorer McLeod showed great composure to run on and slide the ball past Graeme Smith as the goalkeeper advanced.
In the 16th minute Callum Murray almost doubled Buckie’s advantage but his 15-yard grounder flew inches wide of the upright. Three minutes later the Jags were denied a second goal when McLeod again ran on to a long ball over the
top but this time Smith managed to block his low 12-yarder with his legs.
Brechin drew level after 22 minutes. Daniel Bell in the Buckie goal brilliantly parried Jordan Sinclair’s ferocious 16-yard drive but when the ball was played back into the box Sinclair steered it home from six yards. Liam Watt headed high over as the Championship side went in search of a second goal but the home defence wase dealing competently with high balls played into the box.
Steven Ross advanced and fired high over the top as the action continued unabated.
Two minutes from the break Buckie regained the lead. Cheyne once again supplied the telling cross and McLeod fired low past Smith from eight yards for his second goal of the afternoon.
Bell came to Buckie’s rescue four minutes after the break when he got a foot to a fierce Finn Graham 20-yard angled drive.
Brechin equalised in the 59th minute when Watt fed Layne and the substitute, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, rammed the ball home from six yards. All Shaun Carrol’s wonderful 66th-minute in-swinging corner kick needed was a touch but the three Jags forwards closing all missed the ball.
Bell did well in the 74th minute to bravely dive at Layne’s feet and block the ball with his chest.
With five minutes to go Brechin went ahead when substitute Layne notched his second goal of the afternoon when he connected with James Dale’s cross and gave Bell no chance from six yards.
“Twominutes fromthebreak Buckieregained thelead”