Billy Brown got his Cowden managerial career off to a winning start as we came from behind to beat the Highland League champions to top the group after the first round of games.

Matthew McInally went straight into the side for his debut after signing the previous Thursday along with Jack Whittaker.

The Highlanders had been top scorers in British football last season with 163 goals and it took them only four minutes to get their opening one of this season.

McGurn picked the ball up after it had been knocked off Syme’s foot by Fraser with referee Millar judging that it had been a pass back and from the resultant indirect free kick from Craig DORRAT the ball took a deflection into the far corner of the net.

The Cowden reaction was a quick one and Bell pulled off a fine double save to deny Buchanan, before he failed to connect with a Rutherford cross.

The visitors had a penalty claim waived aside when McLeod went down in the box as he went past Pyper and Rumsby.

A deserved equaliser however came in 25 minutes when a Rutherford corner reached the back post for David SYME to head home from eight yards.

Minutes later McInally sent an inviting ball into the box but Muirhead just failed to connect.

At the other end McGurn saved a shot from Fraser while Mullen sent a cross into the Buckie box but McKinnon cleared the danger with Muirhead lurking.

Two minutes from the break a Buchanan ball split the visiting defence allowing Cameron MUIRHEAD to run in an coolly round Bell before slotting the ball into the net.

Five minutes into the second half the visitors got back into the game when a corner from Drew COPELAND, who had just replaced Cheyne, deceived everyone and flew into the net.

Just past the hour mark we restored our lead when SYME got his second goal of the afternoon with a looping header from a Mullen free kick.

McGurn then done well to block a shot from Angus before Buchanan had two good chances to seal the game firstly being blocked by McKinnon, then by the legs of keeper Bell.

However with a minute to go we got a fourth goal when sub Ryan CONNELLY picked the ball up at the halfway line and drove forward beating six defenders before slotting home a memorable debut goal.

TEAM: McGurn, McInally, Rutherford (Swann 46), Pyper, Rumsby, Syme, Buchanan, Mullen, Muirhead, Miller & Whitaker (Connelly 49). Subs not used – McGovern, Thomson, Kellichan & Turnbull.

Goals: Syme (25, 61), Muirhead (43), Connelly (89).

Booked: Mullen (90+1).

BUCKIE: Bell, Skinner, McKinnon, Munro, Dorrat (Murray 75), McLean, Fraser, Cheyne (Copeland 49), Angus (Ross 75), McLeod & Taylor. Subs not used – Salmon, Anderson, Maitland & Urquhart.

Goals: Dorrat (4), Copeland (50).