Bottom versus top in the Highland League on Saturday as Strathspey and Buckie met in the battle of the Thistles on a beautiful day in Grantown-On-Spey.
League leaders Buckie needed all three points to maintain their advantage over Brechin City in the title-race and would have travelled in confident mood of getting them given that Strathspey had conceded well over 100 goals in the season to date.
But the hosts have improved dramatically in recent weeks following the arrival of a new manager and they mounted a determined rearguard action in the face of both the visitors' attacking threat and the wind which was firmly against them in the opening 45 minutes.
Goalkeeper James Kendall saved a penalty just before the break and the second-half followed a similar pattern, Strathspey having just two outfield substitutes available perhaps preventing them from making the changes they may have wanted but the home side still offered enough of a threat on the break to keep Buckie alert at the back.
90 minutes had been and gone by the time the deadlock was broken, to cheers of relief from the large visiting contingent and the sight of home players on their knees, a second goal extending that lead at the top of the table and setting up a potential title decider on the final day of the season, Saturday 22 April.
If you're in the Highlands over the next couple of weeks then it is a great time to catch a match as the weather improves, you'll pay no more than £10 for admission, watch some very competitive football and likely have some glorious backdrops as well.
Postcript: Brechin won easily on Wednesday night to maintain their hopes while Strathspey's home season ended with a 1-0 defeat to Keith but the mood around the Jags is much improved as they look to climb the table next season.
The 2022/23 campaign will be wrapped up in the excellent North of Scotland Football Review which is set for release towards the end of July and which can be pre-ordered here.
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