December 23rd 2024
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 0-3 BRECHIN CITY
SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST 2024
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Dayle Robertson (‘17), Anthony McDonald (‘27), Ewan Loudon (‘55)
Today Team Man of the Match: Angus Dey
Match Report by Niamh Cowdrey
County opened their 100th campaign in the Highland League with a gallant performance against Brechin City at Station Park. This match was always going to be a tough challenge for the home side, as a result Nairn County seemed to throw themselves into the game from the first whistle to the last.
Ross Tokely, in his first league game as manager, too threw himself into the role – commonly giving the Nairn players constructive feedback from the touchline.
Nairn seemed fresh and confident to begin the season, with a continuously fast-paced attack and defence on the ball in the first half. Early press from the composed side of Brechin City, including a worrying pass into County’s penalty box within the first minute, kept the pressure on Nairn.
Despite that early pressure, County saw plenty of the ball and the first half had generally shared possession. This accompanied frequent runs and long balls into the Brechin half.
Brechin City opened the scoring in the 17th minute, from a corner. An in-swinger by Anthony McDonald was met by Dayle Robertson who finished it up with a near-post header in a disappointing moment for County.
And then again, ten minutes later. Anthony McDonald was involved in a second goal of the afternoon as he scored a free kick from just outside the box, which took a deflection off the wall; wrong-footing the keeper.
Drama unfolded just four minutes later, as Dayle Robertson had a second try on goal. His attempt to an open net skimmed just past the far post to the relief of Nairn County fans who watched on in concern, and were just afterwards amused by the quieting premature cheers of the away fans.
The first half ended with a free kick in a good position for Nairn County. Hitting the wall before being cleared by Brechin City, the whistle soon followed.
The third and final goal of the game was scored ten minutes after the second half kicked off. A close-range header into Nairn County’s goal, scored by Ewan Louden, was Brechin’s final goal of the game.
Another concerning chance at goal for Brechin came ten minutes later, as MacLean made an impressive full-stretch save to his left to push the ball off target and out of danger.
A fantastic try on goal by Kenny McKenzie in the 90th minute closed the game as the whistle followed seconds later. An attempt to sneak past the Brechin City goalkeeper at the near post was stopped as he dropped to the floor to use his body to block the ball.
County will next travel to Grant Street Park to face Clachnacuddin Football Club away on Wednesday, August 7th.
Nairn County; Dylan Maclean, Jamie Carnihan, Angus Dey, Alister Morrison, Callum MacLean, (C) Wayne MacKintosh (Sam Gordon 74), Jamie Williamson (Alasdair Gillies 83), Alan Pollock (Andrew Greig 58), Ben Barron (Gary Kerr 74), Matthew Wright, Kenny McKenzie
Unused Subs; Ben Kelly, Jonathan Bain, Trialist, Lewis Munro
Brechin City; Leonard Black Wilson, Kevin McHattie, Lewis Martin, (C) Euan Spark, Seth Patrick (Ryan Ferguson), Marc Scott (Ruari Henry), Fraser MacLeod (Scott Logan), Dayle Robertson (Craig Tosh), Anthony McDonald (Spencer Moreland), Ewan Loudon, Brad McKay
Unused Subs; Michael Cruickshank, Ross Milne
Match Referee; Harry Bruce
