July 15th 2024
GARY Kerr was the goal-scoring hero as Nairn County recorded a first win of the season to kick-start the Ronnie Sharp Revolution. The visitors to Kynoch Park looked solid from the off and dangerous on the break and it was a ploy that was to pay dividends. After a tame opening half-an-hour, the game burst into life with chances at both ends. Donald Fraser was played through on Dylan Maclean's goal but the young County stopper stood up well to block the Keith attacker's drive with his legs. The ball was then worked out to the right and off the delivery, Kris Duncan saw a volley on the turn at the front post clip the crossbar. At the other end, Wayne Mackintosh thumped a Jordan Macrae cross from the left goalwards with his head at the near post but was denied the opener by a diving save from Keith goalkeeper Daniel Bell. The hosts threatened again on 36 minutes though. Fraser swung in a right-footed cross from 30 yards out on the left and Duncan met it with a free header at the far post but he sent his effort across goal and bouncing beyond the near post. County knocked the ball about well in the opening stages of the second half and on 51 minutes, a Naismith cutback from the right was just behind Mackintosh, which meant the Nairn skipper scooped his shot well over the crossbar. The visitors opened the scoring with 57 minutes gone. Callum Maclean showed great determination to win a couple of challenges just inside his own half and fed Wayne Mackintosh. He rolled a pass between the two Keith centre halves for Gary Kerr to run on to and the in-form Nairn centre forward rounded Bell before placing the ball into the unguarded net. Mackintosh almost added Nairn's second goal nine minutes later. He was teed up by Ross Naismith but his first time drive from the edge of the box was superbly kept out by the diving Bell. A minute later, Mackintosh burst forward on the right and squared the ball across goal for Kerr but the centre forward was denied his second of the afternoon by some brave goalkeeping by Bell. The hosts were denied a leveller on 84 minutes as Paul Macleod's headed clearance sat up perfectly for Craig Cormack to blast goalwards from just inside the right-edge of the box but his powerful drive was held by Maclean. An incredible final few minutes saw Nairn strike the woodwork twice as Ross Naismith weaved into the box and curled a shot off the far post before Mackintosh whacked the outside of the same upright with the follow up. Keith piled bodies forward including goalkeeper Bell in the fourth minute of injury time but County stood firm for a first win and clean sheet of the season. Keith – Bell, Hutcheon, Hall (Spink 65), Milne, Ralton, Raffel, Cormack, Fraser (MacAskill 65), Duncan, Barbour, Brownie (Stewart 75). Subs unused: Smith, Robertson, Kennedy-Colbert, Hale. Nairn County – D. Maclean, J. Maclean, Glenn Main, P. Macleod, Riddell, Mackintosh, Naismith, C. Maclean, Kerr, S. Mackenzie (Morganti 72), Macrae (Mackay 82). Subs unused: D. Mackenzie, Ednie, R. Macleod (gk). Referee – Mat Northcroft. Graeme Macleod
