Buckie Thistle 2 Aberdeen Development Side 4
Victoria Park
Aberdeenshire Cup Semi-Final
Wednesday 3rd September 2025
The Dons travelled to Victoria Park to take on Highland League side Buckie Thistle in the Semi-final of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup. The Jags, who showed slight inconsistency in the early stages of the Highland League this season, have been flying in this competition, breezing past Keith and Dyce on their way to this stage.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen named a mixed XI, offering minutes to recent signings Mitchell Frame, Marko Lazetic, Emmanuel Gyamfi, and the Young Dons out on loan this season.
A first-half Marko Lazetic brace and Dylan Lobban strike had the Dons out of sight in the first half, but an inspired Buckie Thistle fought hard to keep themselves in the tie, with goals from Sam Morrison and Darryl McHardy making things nervy for Aberdeen. Joseph Teasdale would kill the tie capitalising on The Jag’s need for an equaliser, closing out an entertaining cup tie.
Report:
Buckie Thistle began proceedings with a few half-chances. Nick Suman’s strength was tested as he rushed out to punch Harry Noble’s corner. A minute later, the hosts went route one as Euan Storrier’s goal kick was taken down and struck by Josh Peters, forcing another save from Suman
Alfie Stewart kicked the Dons into gear as he drove up field, wriggling his way past the Buckie Thistle midfield before slipping through Marko Lazetic in the box, who fell to a challenge from Darryl McHardy. The former Milan striker stepped up to take the penalty and opened his Aberdeen account with an audacious Panenka finish five minutes in.
The rain really began to affect play, giving the ball that extra zip across the pitch, forcing some loose touches and late challenges, livening up the crowd, and rightfully giving Victoria Park that Semi-final sense.
Aberdeen extended their lead in the 27th minute. Ryan Duncan was the recipient of a 1-2 following a throw-in before whipping in a teasing ball across Storrier’s box. The conditions forced a slip from a Thistle defender, allowing Lobban to slip in and slot at the back post.
Following Lobban’s goal the Jags struggled to get going, looking long to Lyall Kier and Josh Peters to make it stick; however, Carrol and Ross were up for every jump and header that came their way.
Lobban turned provider for Lazetic’s 2nd of the evening with a superb left-footed lofted through ball in behind the Buckie defence. The Serbian showed real composure to round the ‘keeper before poking into the empty net, capping off an impressive 45 for himself and the Dons.
Half Time: Buckie Thistle 0 – 3 Aberdeen Development XI
If Thistle were to make a comeback, they would’ve had to take the chances that came their way. Josh Peters had three guilt-edge chances to make things interesting with only five minutes played of the second. All of which were created similarly, with the Thistle striker latching onto clipped balls over the Aberdeen defence. The initial two opportunities saw Peters flash wide, but Suman provided a vital stop for the third to keep his clean sheet intact.
Sam Morrison made things interesting, taking full advantage of the host’s height advantage as he nodded in from a corner in the 52nd minute, setting up a fiery 38 minutes..
An unfortunate slip by Dylan Ross saw Lyall Keir in the clear. The forward struck low and hard but an instinctive Suman save two minutes later.
Mitchell Frame wasn’t up for leaving things to chance, using his electric pace to torment Marcus Goodall time and time again, impressing on his debut.
Buckie Thistle kept themselves in the game, showing real heart to keep going despite the halftime scoreline and continued to be rewarded for their efforts. Noble and Innes McKay would link up on the flank, with the latter floating in a cross that would cause a goalmouth scramble, which McHardy remained most alert to tap home with 10 to play.
The closing moments were end-to-end stuff as Buckie looked for the leveller, whilst the Dons looked for a cushion. A late Thistle free kick saw them crowd the box with nine men, but a clearance allowed Joseph Teasdale to race past his marker and dink Storrier in the final minute, breaking the hearts of the Buckie Thistle supporters and soaring the Dons into the final of the Aberdeenshire Cup.
Full Time: Buckie Thistle 2–4 Aberdeen Development Side
Reaction from Stuart Duff:
“It was a real game of two halves. Credit to Buckie, they asked real questions of our young defence in the second half, but we gave ourselves a really good opportunity to win the game thanks to our first half performance. We were clinical in the final third, there was opportunities to extend the lead in the second half, but Victoria Park can be a really challenging place to come, the home side will ask real questions of you.
“It is a great, great learning curve for our younger players. It is great to go through that challenge, so it is a pleasing night, but we will look at the goals we conceded, and we will work on that.
“I think you can see their experience at their loan clubs that they are now implementing that battle of men’s football into their game. I am delighted for the group, and to get there with a sprinkle of players coming back from injury, new signings, etc… it is a win win for everybody.
“There isn’t much rest for them! Now it’s Montrose in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Saturday, another really good experience of men’s football for them, playing a quality side in Montrose. These are the games that put them out their comfort zone, and that is fast tracking their process. In the future the value of these games will come to fruition.
STATS:
Aberdeen: 13. Nick Suman, 2. Dylan Lobban, 3. Dylan Ross, 4. Lewis Carrol, 8. Alfie Stewart, 9. Joseph Teasdale (Searle 90’), 11.Zak To (Green 90’) 21. Emmanuel Gyamfi (McDonnell 45’), 22. Mitchell Frame, 23. Ryan Duncan (McLean 75’), 27. Marko Lazetic (Stephen 60’)
Substitutes: 10. Tristan Stephen, 14. Jack Searle, 15. Oliver Green, 16. Samuel McLean, 17. Noah McDonnell
Bookings: Lazetic 18’, Ross 41’
Goals: Lazetic 5’, 42’ Lobban 27’, Teasdale 90’
Buckie Thistle: 1. Euan Storrier, 3. Darryl McHardy, 4. Sam Douglas Morrison, 7. Kevin Fraser, 9. Joshua Peters (Nicolson 69’), 10. Lyall Keir, 11. Finlay Allen (McKay 69’), 16. Ryan Fyffe, 20. Marcus Goodall (Paterson 75’), 21. Dale Wood (Campbell 69’), 22. Harry Ritchie Noble
Substitutes: 24. Kevin Main, 5. Innes McKay, 8. Aaron Nicolson, 14. Ross Morrison, 17. Ross Paterson, 18. Bodhan Campbell, 19. Hamish Munro
Goals: Morrison 52’, McHardy 80’
Cards: Noble 81’ Fyffe 85’
