July 15th 2024
THE under-20s fought back in the second half to earn a share of the spoils from their final North of Scotland League game of the season as they drew at Clachnacuddin. Fraser Robertson tested Nairn goalkeeper Fraser Wilkie in the eighth minute with a 20-yard free kick that was held by the County number one. Seamus McConaghy attempted to catch Clach goalkeeper Finlay More off his line on 19 minutes but the home shot stopper gathered. Ryan MacBean then almost put his side in front 21 minutes in but his flick-on at the near post off a McConaghy corner from the right dropped just over the crossbar. The hosts threatened again two minutes later with the dangerous Cheidu Ikeme see his low effort from the left well blocked by Wilkie at his near post. Ten minutes later, McConaghy called More into action at the other end but the goalkeeper made a fine block off the midfielder’s effort from just inside the box. The home side opened the scoring on 36 minutes though with James Anderson smashing home a left-footed volley after County had failed to clear a cross into the box. Wilkie then made a smart block two minutes before the break as Nairn looked to be going into the break just one goal down. But the hosts had another ideas as they doubled their lead their lead on the stroke of half time. Liam Shewan knocked the ball home from close range after a corner from the right had dropped to the feet of the striker. Nairn pushed for a way back into the game after the break and seven minutes into the second half, MacBean headed a McConaghy corner from the right off target at the far post. The visitors had the ideal chance to half the deficit on 55 minutes when they were awarded a penalty kick for a foul on Colin Morrison. But More dived to his left to hold MacBean’s 12-yard effort. But County found the net six minutes later. Jack W. Maclean was on hand at the far post to turn the ball home after McConaghy’s in-swinging free kick from the left found the defender. Just two minutes later, the comeback was complete. Ryan MacBean went from villain to hero as he collected a ball in from the left inside the box, spun his man and planted a shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. There were chances at both ends as the two sides looked for a winner. Ikeme hit the by-line on the left and fizzed the ball across goal but found no takers whereas Nairn’s best chance was a Ricky Mackenzie header off a corner from the right which flew just over the crossbar. Clachnacuddin – More, Patience, Bruce, Fraser (yellow 48), Neil, Black, MacDonald (Duffy 70), Robertson, Shewan, Anderson (Lauder 82), Ikeme. Subs unused – . Nairn County – Wilkie (Stewart 46), Wheeler, R. Mackenzie, Cameron Maclean, Cuthbert, Morrison (S. Main 70), Campbell (Jack W. Maclean 46), McDermott (Geddes 70), MacBean (yellow 48), Payne (Gordon 34), McConaghy. Subs unused – . Referee – Gordon Seago. Graeme Macleod
