January 3rd 2025
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
CLACHNACUDDIN 0 – 2 NAIRN COUNTY
WEDNESDAY 7TH AUGUST 2024
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Matthew Wright (30’), Josh Meekings (OG – 77’)
Match Report by Niamh Cowdrey
Following the opening day defeat, County came back in style with a terrific win in a fiercely-contested local derby against Clachnacuddin F.C. Spending their bright but breezy Wednesday night away in Inverness, County returned with a win and a move up the league table.
There was significant improvement in play from Saturday’s game. Notably so with Nairn’s number 11, Andrew Greig, making frequent driving runs into the Clachnacuddin half. Equally, Nairn had a quick and improved back line that assisted goalkeeper, Dylan Maclean, in assuring that we kept a clean sheet.
The game began with an end-to-end first ten minutes. Clachnacuddin made frequent efforts to get inside the Nairn County box, but were met with County’s equal determination to score an early goal. With plenty of tries on goal, chances, and good possession, County dominated in the opening minutes.
Nairn opened the scoring in the 30th minute, with a superb goal from Matthew Wright, County’s first of the season. A dipping shot, from a tight angle just inside the left side of the box, went over the top of the keeper to the far side of the goal, calling for a large roar of celebration from the travelling County fans.
A few chances for Clach brought the first half to a close, with a free kick in a good position just outside the right side of the penalty box, which was collected by Maclean with ease. A few minutes later, they had a second shot which was saved with a full stretch to the keeper’s right.
The second half got underway, with a chance for Clach in the 50th minute. A shot from just inside the penalty box went slightly wide, skimming past the face of the goal in a nervous moment for County.
The next goal came in the 77th minute, with an own goal by Clach’s Josh Meekings. His attempted headed pass back to the unaware Joe Malin in goal, was a miscommunication that put Nairn 2-0 up.
A shot from distance by County’s Kenny McKenzie in the 80th minute was just nudged over the bar by the keeper in a close opportunity for a third goal for County. The woodwork was hit from the following corner with the bar being struck by a header slightly too-high for Nairn.
In injury time, County were close to a third goal. An in-swinging free kick from the left of the goal just failed to make contact, ensuring that the score would remain 0-2.
The full-time whistle was blown just after, securing County both an away win, and their first win of the season.
County will next travel to Aberdeen, for an afternoon match against Banks O’Dee at Spain Park on Saturday, August 10th 2024.
Nairn County: D. Maclean (GK), Carnihan, McKenzie, Morrison, C. Maclean, Mackintosh (C), Williamson (Dey 73’), Pollock, Wright (Gordon 54’), Kerr (Barron 63’), Greig
Subs unused: Kelly, Gillies, Bain, Munro
Clachnacuddin: Malin (GK), Kerr, Meekings, Nicolson (C ), Riddle, Mackay (Anderson), Adams (Morrison), Macphee (Lawrie), Cooper, Bunce (Macleod), Mackenzie (Davison)
Subs unused: Rae, Cormack, Urquhart
