October 9th 2026
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 0 – 1 FRASERBURGH
WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2026
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Scott Barbour (36′)
Ralph Sayer Man of the Match: Callum Maclean
Match Report by John Dolan
A quite magnificent goal nine minutes before half time from Scott Barbour was all that separated the sides in Nairn’s penultimate SHFL game of the season on Wednesday night.
Nairn boss Wayne Mackintosh made three changes from the 3-0 defeat at Brechin. Brodie Watson came in for Fraser Dingwall and Calum MacLean replaced the injured Angus Dey. The third change was forced on Mackintosh just before kick off when striker Ben Kelly picked up an injury in the warm up and Paul Brindle stepped up from the bench to make the starting line-up.
It took until the 15th minute for the first threat on goal to arrive. A corner on the right fell to Will Smith at the back post, but there were too many bodies in front of him and his low drive was easily blocked.
A delicate head flick from Brindle almost put Barron in the clear, but James Beagrie was a yard ahead of the striker and he managed to knock the ball back to his keeper.
By midway through the half it was proving to be an even contest with clear-cut chances at a premium.
However, a fine ball from Liam Strachan had Barbour racing in on Tom McHale, but the keeper was alert to the danger and managed to gather just ahed of the Broch man.
At the other end, a Millar Gamble volley from 20 yards flew well over.
But it was the visitors who eventually took the lead in 36 minutes – and the goal was worth the wait. Jamie Maclellan picked out Barbour just outside the left edge of the Nairn box and from a fairly tight angle hit a terrific shot that flew across everyone and into the far side of McHale’s goal.
Minutes later, Maclellan was almost on the scoresheet when his header off a Barbour delivery dropped just over the Nairn goal.
Broch keeper Joe Barbour was lucky not to receive a straight red just before the break. Barron had nudged the ball just past him about a yard outside the area. At the same time the keeper brought the striker to the ground; however, he was only shown a yellow for his illegal challenge.
From the free kick Calum Mackay fired well over. (H-T 1-0.)
From the re-start, Mackay found himself in good possession, as he burst out of his own half, but he looked to be caught in two minds whether to pick out a teammate or go for goal. The midfielder chose the latter as he bore down on the visitors’ box, but his shot flew well over.
The Broch replied with Lewis Duncan picking out Barbour wide on the left. The striker moved inside before unleashing a decent effort, which flashed across the Nairn goal, but it was always rising.
County then went even closer when Brindle cut in from the left before pulling the trigger, but the ball landed on top of Barbour’s goal.
The visitors really should have doubled their lead in 71 minutes. A Strachan corner found the head of Brian Hay, lurking at the back post, but the big defender failed to get enough on his header and the ball dropped harmlessly past the upright.
Another good chance came the visitors’ way in 79 minutes, but Will Sim was unable to find the target when well placed.
Three minutes into added time, County had one last chance to get something out of this game when substitute Adrian Voigt was fouled, a yard outside the area. Mackay stepped up to the free kick, but his shot was partially blocked and, although it managed to squeeze though the wall, keeper Barbour was able to gather easily.
There wasn’t much between the sides and County may well feel they did enough to earn at least a share of the spoils. However, Barbour’s goal was real quality – worthy, it has to be said, to win any game.
NAIRN COUNTY – McHale, Watson, Bain (Voigt 84), Gamble, Maclean, Eadie, Mackay, Macinnes, Barron, As-Chainey, Brindle (C. McKenzie 73). Substitutes not used – Thompson, K. McKenzie, Mackintosh, Maclean (gk).
FRASERBURGH – Barbour (yellow 41), Hay, Maclellan (y59), Young, Beagrie (y45) (Butcher 45), West, Strachan (Hawkins 90+1), Barbour (y37) (Watt 68), Sim, Buchan, Duncan (Mackie 68 (y75)), Substitutes not used – Reid, Butcher, Gibb, Robertson.
Referee – Lewis Brown
