Moray & District Welfare F.A.
Premier Division
Tuesday 22nd July 2025
Kick Off 19.30 On Time!
Buckie Rovers 2 Fochabers 1, attendance 86
42’ 1-0
66’ 2-0
84’ 2-1
@ Merson Park
Barhill Road
Buckpool
AB56 1DS
No Admission or Programme.
Last week I’d seen these two meet in a cup match at Fochabers, that the home side won 2-1, but tonight was a league match, with 3rd hosting 2nd in the table, both needing a win to close the gap on leaders Aberlour Villa. The added attraction, as far as I was concerned, was that Buckie play their home games at Merson Park, which has hosted Scottish Junior football in the past. The pitch is railed on all bar about a third of one touchline, with a pair of brick dugouts on the far side (only Buckie used theirs). Car parking is at the goal end nearest the entrance, with the changing rooms in the near right corner, where there was also a tea bar serving hot food and drinks. Great scenic views too, with hills and the town in one direction and glimpses of the North Sea in the other. The only thing that lets it down is the ridiculous distance the rail is set back from the pitch. It is at least ten yards, no matter where you stand and it’s like watching a game at those awful grounds that have a running track around the pitch.
The distance from the pitch probably contributed to how the game was nowhere near as enjoyable as last week’s meeting. The opening goal didn’t come until three minutes before halftime, going the way of the hosts, when a long clearance saw the ball cut in from the right, before finishing left footed from the edge of the box, going in off a defender. Midway through the second half Buckie made it 2-0, when a corner from the right was headed down into the bottom corner from six yards. An angled shot into the far corner saw Fochabers pull it back to 2-1 with six minutes left and despite playing six additional minutes of stoppage time, they were unable to grab an equaliser.
The win leaves Buckie just two points behind Fochabers now, whilst Aberlour retain their four point lead at the top, with all three now having played the same number of games.
