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Logan Johnstone’s dramatic late winner secured a memorable victory at Harlaw Park against reigning Highland League champions Buckie Thistle. It was no more than the Railwaymen deserved, although before Johnstone’s strike it looked as though they might rue missed opportunities after Cohen Ramsay had cancelled out Cole Anderson’s excellent opener.
With Nathan Meres suspended, and Josh Buchan injured, Lloyd Robertson and Thomas Reid came into the starting eleven. In brilliant Garioch sunshine, it was the visitors who came closest in the early stages with Josh Peters getting a shot away from close range that was well blocked by Zack Ellis. Locos were having the better of the game though, and Jay Halliday fired over after displaying some neat footwork to create himself some space. Peters again brought a save from Ellis before Anderson opened the scoring, as he did in Banff last week. After beating Innes McKay to the ball, Anderson burst into the penalty area before finding a composed finish to beat Mark Ridgers.
Harlaw Park was bouncing and Locos continued to impress, without testing Ridgers further. Greg Mitchell came closest, volleying off target a few minutes before the break. If Buckie supporters were expecting a reaction from their team after the break, they were disappointed as it was Locos who again had the upper hand. Mitchell will feel he should have done better after being picked out by an inch perfect pass from Lloyd Robertson.
On the hour mark, the visitors started making the changes that would see the game turn in their favour. Moments after Ryan Park missed a golden opportunity to double Locos lead, Ramsay’s shot deflected off Mark Souter and inside Ellis’ right hand post. With 15 minutes remaining, both teams were looking for a winner but it was inevitable that the title holders would enjoy a dominant period in the game and that spell followed Ramsay’s leveller. MacIver was off target as Locos defended with determination before Johnstone’s magic moment as a Paul Coutts corner from the left arrived at the substitute beyond the far post and he swept home left footed.
Not only does this result build superbly on last week’s victory, but it represents a first victory over Thistle in thirteen attempts – penalty shootouts notwithstanding of course. Dean Donaldson was delighted that his players got the victory he felt they merited but could so easily have missed out on. “We could have been two or three up but we just didn’t quite get those chances away” the gaffer said. “It almost came back to sting us but Logan’s popped up with a great goal at the back post.”
The fixtures don’t get any easier as we travel to Brechin City in midweek before welcoming Clachnacuddin to Harlaw Park next Saturday.
