Buckie Thistle so close to Highland League title after claiming top spot with seven-goal thumping of Strathspey Thistle

Buckie Thistle are closing in on their first Highland League title in seven years after going top of the table on Wednesday night.

In the midst of a run of six league games in 12 days to determine their destiny, Jags easily won their fifth in a row at bottom club Strathspey Thistle.

Needing a five-goal victory to secure first place ahead of Brechin City, Buckie won 7-0 and are now strong favourites to end their seven-year silverware famine.

Goals by Joe McCabe, Scott Adams 2, Jack Murray 3 and Cohen Ramsay eased the visitors to victory over a side they also defeated 6-1 on Monday to further boost their goal difference.

Graeme Stewart’s side finish with a home game against Keith on Saturday, while Brechin make the trip north to play Brora Rangers.

Even a single goal victory for Jags at Victoria Park would leave Brechin needing to win by at least four at Brora to steal the league flag.

Buckie finished runners-up in the past two seasons despite taking the title chase to the final game each time.

In 2022 they won 24 and drew one of their last 25 matches yet still lost out to Fraserburgh.

Last season Buckie led Brechin going into the final day when they two sides met in a Victoria Park decider.

Stewart’s side needed just a point to win the league and the score was 0-0 going into the final four minutes when Brechin scored twice to break home hearts and nick the trophy.

Buckie are certain to leave no stone unturned in their bid to make it third time lucky and will go all-out to ensure that they don’t slip up against Keith.