LOCOS kept up their 100 per cent record in the Highland League with a convincing win over a Buckie Thistle side with former Harlaw Park managerial duo Kevin and Doug Will failing to get one over on their old team.

Boss Dave Cormie has been delighted with the excellent start but wanting to keep everyone's feet on the ground.

He said: "It's all downhill from here. I'm saying that jokingly but in football that's exactly the situation because we'll have bad results on the way. It's important to look back on a 3-0 away win at Buckie because that's not one you mark down as a banker at the start of the season.

"We're having a good run but every match we've had there's been difficulties. Wick was very difficult, but we're getting points on the road. We didn't take enough points last season on the road. At Harlaw Park we're going to be difficult to beat with a strong crowd behind us."

"The pressure was not on us to get a result, I think it was on Buckie Thistle, they needed to get three points to keep them in it. Although they played very good football - they had two clear cut chances during the match - I felt we had a decent shape created chances and took our goals at the right time.

"But probably more importantly for us Andy Reid made some good saves for us at the right time. He's a super keeper, it's nice when you're 2-0 up and not giving anything cheap away in the last 10 mins, looking solid."

And he was quick to praise the two goalscorers, Craig Ross and Neil McLean, both doubtful before the game with neck and knee injuries respectively: "Having watched Buckie on the Wednesday I kind of expected them to play with width both sides of the park. They didn't do that; that threw me. Craig for the first 20 minutes was in no man's land so we tucked him in a bit. But as you see he is still a predator in the box, the third goal capped a fine game.

"Since I arrived Neil has delighted me by treating the defensive side of his game far more importantly than he used to. Having played the same area I enjoyed going forward. Watching him going forward there is a balance to his game now. He matched Paul Napier every bit of the way and contributed to our goals."

Locos took the lead in the seventh minute and it was a driving run from Neil McLean that made the difference. He picked up the ball and went past three players, quickly moving the ball between his feet quickly but he seemed to have overrun the ball, only to muscle his way back into possession at the byeline.

Although Kevin Main was able to block the first effort it came back to Craig Ross at the back post, 12 yards out and he hit it high into the roof of the net past the scrambling keeper and two defenders.

Buckie Thistle very nearly levelled in the 18th minute from a set piece. Bob Duncan's corner to the back post was met by the head of Jamie Shewan and it took a fine save from Andy Reid to push the ball up onto the bar. It hit the underside of the bar, bounced on the line and then was gathered by the keeper.

Chances were at a premium, mainly thanks to some fine defending from the Locos backline although there was a big shout for a free kick from the home support when Andy Low looked to be running clear only to go down under the challenge of Mark Simpson. Referee Steven George waved play on.

With half time fast approaching the Jags' defence switched off again and Neil McLean took full advantage. Tommy Wilson went down under pressure from Jamie Shewan right in front of the away dugout, only to quickly place the ball and set Neil McLean running down the left.

The right side of the defence seemed to have disappeared as McLean advanced, played a one two with Kenny Coull then drilled the ball high past Kevin Main to give the visitors a vital two goal cushion at the break.

Buckie had to score fairly early on in the half in order to make a game of this one but the closest they came early on was a Mark Simpson slice from Bob Duncan's cross which required action from Andy Reid to turn it away for a corner.

The match was picking up, the crime count rising and chances being created at either end. The ball was rolled back to Graeme Stewart who drilled an angled shot which rose just over the top right hand corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Donnie Munro ran to the edge of the box then slipped the ball past Steven Park into the path of Paul Napier. He drew the keeper wide and squared for the unmarked Craig MacMillan but he wasn't set properly and slid to connect, slicing it high and wide of the empty net from six yards.

This seemed to kill the hopes of any turnaround in the match with the Locos thoroughly comfortable as the minutes ticked by. Five minutes into injury time another move down the right saw the ball come across the box to Craig Ross who took a touch then drilled a low shot back across the goal and into the bottom corner of the net to round off the scoring.

Buckie Thistle: Main, Cumming, Duncan, Munro, Good, Small, Napier, Macrae (Davidson 60), Charlesworth (MacMillan 65), Low (Hamilton 72), Shewan. Subs not used: Macdonald, Gairns.
Inverurie Locos: Reid, Stewart (Singer 77), Buchan, Wilson, Park, Simpson, Ross, Smith, Coull (Milne 55), Gauld, McLean. Subs not used: Bisset, Murray, McWilliam.

Locos were at home to Keith last night (Wednesday) in the First Round of the Morrison Motors Turriff Aberdeenshire Shield. A full report will appear next week.

On Saturday (October 11) they welcome Fraserburgh to Harlaw Park on League duty. Kick off is at 3pm.