Hero Martin was just like Maradona!
Allan hails wonderful Wood
Buckie Thistle 1 Keith 2
Published:
MARTIN Allan insists match winner Martin Wood was so good against Buckie it was just like watching Diego Maradona!
Wonderful Wood fired Keith into the final of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup with a dream winner just four minutes from time.
The Maroons will now attempt to lift the trophy for the first time since the 1979/80 season, when they face Huntly on Saturday, September 20 at a venue to be determined.
Keith manager Allan believes it was fitting Wood was the goalscoring hero, because the forward was the best player on the park by some distance.
He said: “Martin was the star and he was on a different planet.
“I said at half-time he was like Diego Maradona in the first half, and then he was even better in the second.
“When you see a player with the ability perform at that level, it is great to watch.”
Allan reckons man of the moment Wood was so impressive, the fans at Victoria Park must have been left wondering why he is still a Highland League player.
He said: “Everyone in the crowd must have thought Martin shouldn’t be playing at this level, he should be at whatever level he wants because he was brilliant.”
Keith had to battle back from a goal down to earn the victory, after Buckie took a fortunate lead in the 17th minute.
Neil Davidson’s badly sliced shot spun into the path of Paul NAPIER, who drove a powerful low effort past Keith keeper Andy Shearer.
David MacRae had a great chance to double Buckie’s advantage in the second half, but he blasted his wild effort over the crossbar from close range.
Jags boss Kevin Will believes that was the turning point.
He said: “We knew when that happened, with the quality of players Keith have, we were never safe.”
Keith’s comeback commenced in the 77th minute when Wayne Mackay’s cross was headed in by Gary NICOL, who scored his first goal for the club since his move from Inverurie Locos.
Former Motherwell man Wood then won the tie with a composed finish after Darren Still’s cross had been pushed into his path by Buckie goalkeeper Kevin Main.
Jags defender Robert Duncan was sent off by referee Craig Sim in injury-time for denying Michael Fyfe a clear goalscoring opportunity.
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