October 5th 2026
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 0 – 2 KEITH
SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 2025
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Michael Ironside (34′ & 43′)
Ralph Sayer Man of the Match: Jamie Carnihan
Match Report by John Dolan
County were looking to continue their good form when Keith were the visitors for Saturday’s SHFL encounter, but two first half goals from Michael Ironside saw his side take the points back to Banffshire.
Nairn’s recent good form had seen them post five straight league and cup wins – while the visitors had managed just one point from their previous four outings and began the day sitting second bottom.
But things might have turned out differently for the home side if half-time substitute Paul Brindle had found the back of the net instead of the upright when he looked certain to score.
It wasn’t the only time that Keith rode their luck – Calum Mackay was unlucky to see his header smack the face of the bar, while a Ben Barron header was just inches away from hitting the target.
Both sides started brightly with the game swinging from end to end, with Andrew Greig in particular causing problems for the visitors down the left with some good deliveries into the Keith box.
One of them picked out Mackay and his header had keeper Craig Reid diving to his right to push the ball around the post for a corner.
Mackay was denied again when he was set up by Barron, but this time the midfielder’s shot was diverted for a corner.
Keith replied with Ironside picking out Horace Ormsby whose angled drive was blocked by the legs of keeper Lewis Munro. The ball broke for Liam Duncan, who fired just wide of the far post.
With half an hour on the clock great play again from Greig saw him pick out Mackay, but again the Nairn man was out of luck when his header hit the bar before being clerared.
But it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in 34 minutes.
Jordan Lynch found space on the left before bursting into the box. His shot was parried by Munro, but it fell kindly for Ironside who bundled the ball over the line.
County’s luck was out again when tormentor-in-chief Greig picked out Barron, but the big striker’s header flashed just wide of the upright.
However, it would be the Maroons who would find the back of the net again, a couple of minutes before the break. A terrific angled through ball from Nathan McKeown caught the Nairn defence out and Ironside was on to it in a flash before bypassing Munro on his way to goal and he rolled the ball into the empty net.
And it was almost three for the visitors when Ormsby picked out the unmarked Jordan Cooper, but his powerful drive flew just over. (H-T 0-2.)
Nairn boss Wayne Mackintosh, desperate to get his side back into the game, made three changes at half time. As well as Brindle coming on, Millar Gamble and Kenny McKenzie were introduced. Making way were Callum Maclean, Angus Dey and Ben Kelly.
County went straight on the attack and a free kick from Mackay was just inches away from the head of Fraser Dingwall – the slightest touch and the ball would surely have ended up in the back of the net.
County then forced two corners in quick succession, but the visitors’ defence stood firm.
A piercing 40-yard run from Jamie Carnihan ended with the full back being sent unceremoniously crashing to the ground; however, from the resultant free kick, Mackay blasted wildly over from just outside the box.
Then came that golden opportunity to get back into the game.
Some poor defending saw the ball find its way to Brindle, but, just when it looked like the back of the net would ripple, the striker, from just a few yards out, somehow hit the inside of the post and the visitors were able to scramble clear. It was a real let off for the visitors.
County continued to search for the goal that would get them back into the game and a Dingwall header two minutes from time, off a Mackay cross, dropped just over. It would be the last chance of the game – and with it Nairn’s five games unbeaten run drew to a disappointing close.
NAIRN COUNTY – Munro, Carnihan (yellow 32), Voigt (C. McKenzie 62), Maclean (Gamble 45), Dingwall (y86), Pullen, Mackay, Dey (K. McKenzie 45), Barron (As-Chainey 81), Kelly (Brindle 45), Greig. Substitutes not used – Jeffrey, Bain, Eadie, Thomson.
KEITH – Reid, Craib, Lynch, Addison, Spink (yellow 11), Cooper (Bird 89), Ormsby (Barron 80), Gill (Paterson 89), McKeown, Duncan (y14) (McAllister 80 (y86)), Ironside (Robertson 75). Substitutes not used – Smith
Referee – Mark Bolton.
Match sponsor – Watson Wood Financial Planning.
