6 hours ago
Our Covid-struck Reserves squad went to leaders Halkirk United on Saturday for their second match of the season minus Head Coach Stuart Finnie and seven players who started the opening day victory over St Duthus.
It meant some valuable experience for five members of the Under-18s squad, whose battlefield promotions meant they were thrust in at the deep end and they acquitted themselves well against a Halkirk side who will fancy their chances of going all the way in the division this season.
We drew the home side back to level pegging on two occasions but they went back ahead again soon after on both occasions, which meant we were always playing catch up and they eventually streaked away to a comfortable win.
There were debuts for Reid Peterkin and Robbie Lean while their Under-18s teammates Will Jack, Kyle Grimm and Sean Murray all appeared from the bench. Duncan Robertson, Nathan Grant and last time out’s match-winner, Logan Hallam also came into the team along with First Team players, Callum Ednie and Rory Williamson. The team was:
Nairn County Reserves – Reid Peterkin, Nathan Grant, Duncan Robertson (Sean Murray 77), Callum Morrison (Scott Murray 74), Callum Ednie (yellow 73), Robbie Lean (Will Jack 74 (y 80)), Kyle MacDonald (Kyle Grimm 77), Grant Hogg, Ciaran Young (y 55) (Shaun Young 60), Rory Williamson, Logan Hallam.
Halkirk United – Gordon Clark, Bryan Reid, Ryan Sutherland (Stewart Ross 68), Aidan Reid, Hasheem Bremner, Stewart Atkins (Colin Henstridge 63), Stuart Campbell (Murray Mackay 81), Kyle Ross (Adam Gunn 78), Korbyn Cameron (Sam Barclay 80), James Mackintosh, Jonah Martens.
The hosts went ahead on seven minutes when Aidan Reid was free and unmarked in the penalty area to meeet a corner kick from the right with a header which bounced past Peterkin.
We got back on level terms 10 minutes later though. Ciaran Young switched the paly out to Logan Hallam on the left and he accelerated away from a defender beforoe being taken down by the goalkeeper. Young stepped up to fire home to spot kick and make it 1-1.
But Halkirk went back in front again just five minutes later. Stewart Atkins stepped on to the ball 22 yards out and had the time to fire in a low effort which squirmed under the body of Peterkin.
We got back on level terms a minute into the second half though. Rory Williamson whipped in a cross from the right which deceived the goalkeeper and dropped in at the far post.
But Halkirk went back in front again just two minutes later. A trip by Grant Hogg in the penalty area gave the hosts a spot kick and Jonah Martens swept the ball home from 12 yards.
Then, just minutes later, the hosts increased their lead. A corner kick from the left was allowed to drop at the feet of Bryan Reid at the far post and he cushioned home a volley from close range.
Substitute Sam Barclay swept home a low cross from the left at the near post on 84 minutes to wrap up the home side’s victory.
