November 20th 2023
A GOALLESS draw at Clachnacuddin saw Nairn County's season end on a tame note as they failed to claim sixth place in the table after an un-entertaining derby at Grant Street Park, writes Graeme Macleod. The bobbly surface did not help a game bereft of any real quality but most of the clear sights of goal went Nairn's way although County finished with 10 men following Robbie Duncanson's late dismissal. Clach dominated the early stages without threatening Calum Antell's goal and then on 19 minutes, only a goal line clearance by David McGurk kept the hosts level. Conor Gethins' corner from the left was missed by John Campbell in the Clach goal under pressure from Sam Urquhart but McGurk hacked the ball away from just inside the near post. Alan Pollock's follow up shot was then spooned behind by Campbell for a fruitless corner. Gethins was denied by Campbell on 28 minutes when he controlled a high ball and managed to get his shot away from the edge of the box but the former County 'keeper made a smart save down to his right. Campbell made another save a minute before the interval as he threw himself to his right to keep out Pollock's header off a deep Skinner cross from the right. Seven minutes after the restart, Clach worked the ball well from the left across the 18-yard box with Michael Finnis laying it into the path of Scott Maclean but the midfielder blasted over the crossbar from 15 yards out. County had a great chance to go in front on 55 minutes. The impressive Sean Webb's free kick forward from the halfway line was flicked on by Urquhart for Gethins – who had read the situation – but the striker snatched at his 10-yard effort, sending the ball sailing over the crossbar. Pollock's delivery from the right on 68 minutes was taken off the head of Urquhart at the far post by diligent defending from covering full back, Ryan Mackintosh. Duncanson's neat pass set Wayne Mackintosh up for a shot but he dragged his effort wide of the near post from 12 yards out to the left of goal. Substitute Tony Wallace made a difference for Nairn and he teed up Pollock on 83 minutes but the midfielder's low shot lacked power and was held by Campbell. Antell was called into action on 86 minutes to touch over McGurk's header off a Mackintosh free kick into the box. But Nairn should have netted a winner at the other when Urquhart did brilliantly to work his way along the by-line from the left and play a ball across goal but it was blasted well over the bar by Pollock from only a couple of yards. Clachnacuddin – Campbell, Mackintosh, Finnis, Fitzpatrick, McGurk (Grant 90+3), Robertson, Macdonald, Callum, S. Maclean (C. Maclean 70), Lawrie (y 69) (S. Lisle 89), Shewan (y 86). Subs unused: Macleod, Taylor, C. Lisle, Macdonald (gk). Nairn County – Antell, Skinner, Glenn Main, Webb, C. Maclean, Mackintosh (yellow 73), McKenzie, Pollock, Duncanson (yellow 12, 90), Gethins (Wallace 73), Urquhart. Subs unused: R. Naismith, J. Maclean, M. Macleod, Munro, D. Maclean (gk). Referee – Ben Dempster. Graeme Macleod
