Marko Lazetic Scores Twice as Aberdeen Defeats Buckie Thistle

Aberdeen FC secured their place in the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup final with a decisive 4-2 victory over Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park. Marko Lazetic was the standout performer, scoring two goals in the first half, which helped put the Dons in a commanding position before the break.

The match began with an early penalty awarded to Aberdeen when Lazetic was fouled by Buckie’s Sam Morrison in the fifth minute. The former AC Milan striker calmly converted the penalty with a stylish Panenka, giving the Dons a 1-0 lead.

Lazetic struck again in the 42nd minute, showcasing his skill and composure. He rounded the Buckie goalkeeper, Euan Storrier, after receiving a precise through ball from Dylan Lobban, rolling it into the empty net. In between these two goals, Lobban himself found the net in the 27th minute, firing low past Storrier after a well-placed cross from Ryan Duncan.

Second Half Tension

The second half saw a spirited response from Buckie Thistle. Sam Morrison headed home a corner in the 53rd minute, narrowing the deficit to 3-1. The home side continued to pressure Aberdeen, and Darryl McHardy brought Buckie even closer with a close-range goal in the 78th minute, making the score 3-2.

As Buckie pushed for an equaliser, the match grew tense. However, in the 89th minute, Joseph Teasdale sealed Aberdeen’s victory with a superb chip over Storrier, bringing the final score to 4-2.

Dons coach Stuart Duff expressed his satisfaction with the team’s resilience, particularly in light of Buckie’s second-half push. “Credit to Buckie, they came out and showed what a good side they are by asking questions of our young defence in the second half,” Duff stated. He acknowledged the importance of the match as a learning opportunity for his younger players, emphasizing the need to address the goals conceded.

Aberdeen now prepares to face Formartine United in the final, with the team looking to build on this strong performance and learn from the challenges presented by Buckie Thistle.