Loons Edge Out Highlanders On Penalties

Forfar Athletic 1 Buckie Thistle 1 (AET) (Forfar Athletic win 5-4 on penalties)

The season has begun, and the Loons progressed to the second round of the Ramsdens Cup, thanks to a narrow victory over Highland League champions Buckie Thistle. A home tie over Greenock Morton was the reward for winning on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Forfar started the match in confident fashion, and after only two minutes Fotheringham was sent clear down the left before cutting inside and losing control. Soon, the same player crossed well for Gibson to nod down into the path of Marc McCulloch, just before he could control the ball, it was cleared for a corner.

After 18 minutes Fotheringham was again in the thick of the action, this time feeding the ball into the path of Kevin Motion who in turn tried to chip Main from 18 yards only to see the visiting custodian gather the ball safely. Forfar continued to press and yes, that man again, Fotheringham, powered his way into the area and while Main saved his effort, the goalkeeper could do little to stop GIBSON from turning the loose ball into the net from close range.

The lead would last just five minutes, a Napier cross from the right found Craig MACMILLAN at the back post, and he wasted no time in heading past Paterson to level things.

The home side then had two great efforts cleared off the line before half time, both crosses were sent over by Fotheringham, firstly Gibson glanced a header over the defence and on target, then it was McCulloch's turn to see his header stopped on the line.

After being on the back foot for much of the first half, Buckie came out and enjoyed the better of the second half proceedings. Early in the half, MacMillan came close to putting Buckie in front, his header was inches wide of the target. Buckie then had loud claims for a penalty waved away. But then the Loons almost grabbed the lead, but Main saved from point blank range from Crawford.

After 65 minutes Mowatt and Byers replaced Fotheringham and Motion in a bid to liven things up, but it was the visitors who soon had a great chance when Napier's corner smacked off MacMillan, but he could not bring the ball under control.

For the remainder of the second half there was little between the sides and neither outfit could grab the winner before extra time arrived.  Forfar pressed hard during the extra half hour, but the extra time could not split the sides and so the tie was to be settled by a penalty shoot-out. Both sides tucked away their first four spot kicks, leaving the pressure on Buckie's MacKinnon and Forfar's McCulloch who were awaiting to take kick number five. Greg Paterson saved well, leaving McCulloch to blast home to seal victory.

Match Report by Kevin Brown