Nairn County 0 – 6 Banks o’Dee – Match Report by Niamh Cowdrey – Saturday 9 November 2024

R DAVIDSON HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP
NAIRN COUNTY 0-6 BANKS O’ DEE
SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2024
STATION PARK, NAIRN

Goalscorers: Liam Duff (P, 13’), Lachie MacLeod (38’), Max Alexander (58’), Iain Vigurs (70’), Christian Antoniazzi (82’, 90+1’)

Today Team Man of the Match: Jack Walker

County’s R Davidson Highland League campaign came to an early end at a blindingly sunny Station Park this weekend, following a defeat against Banks o’ Dee. Nairn put up a decent fight, despite the knowledge that this was always going to be a tough fixture.

Banks o’ Dee built pressure from the early minutes. Lewis Munro made a quick save in the 11th minute, pushing a near shot just over the bar to attempt to prevent an early goal for Banks o’ Dee.

However, just two minutes later, Nairn County gave away a penalty following a handball. The penalty was taken by number 11, Liam Duff. He placed the ball in the keeper’s right, putting them ahead in the opening 20.

Nonetheless, County pushed forward in search of a goal of their own. Fraser Dingwall came close in the 28th minute, before a clearance from a defender after a near shot from the skipper put a stop to the chance.

Banks o’ Dee extended their lead in the 38th minute, courtesy of Lachie MacLeod. His high shot to the top left corner secured an even greater lead before the half-time whistle.

County came out early after half time, clearly wanting a goal. Matthew Wright had a shot following a break in the 53rd minute, though it went just over the bar.

Jack Walker made a stunning tackle on the edge of the box in the 55th minute to deny a goal for Banks o’ Dee following a solo run from Kane Winton.

However, Banks o’ Dee made it three in the 58th minute from a curling ball that beat the keeper, courtesy of Max Alexander.

Banks o’ Dee’s league extended from a low drive to the centre of the net from Virgus in the 70th minute.

Munro dropped to make a good save in the 72nd minute, after Andrew Hunter aimed to score at the near post. 

Four turned to five in the 82nd minute, as Antoniazzi scored from the right side of the box to the far corner after luring Munro off his line.

In the final minute, Banks o’ Dee scored their sixth and final, and Christian Antoniazzi’s second of the evening. Once again from the right side, the ball met the centre of the net to end the game.

County will next play away at Deveronvale in the Breedon Highland League, on Saturday, 16th November at 2pm

NAIRN COUNTY: Lewis Munro, Ross Hardie (Jamie Carnihan 71’), Kenny McKenzie, Jack Walker, Fraser Dingwall (C), Wayne MacKintosh (Sam Gordon 71’), Scott Lisle (Ben Barron 60’), Kenny MacInnes (Alan Pollock 60’), Gary Kerr (Angus Dey 60’), Matthew Wright, Andrew Greig

Subs unused: Dylan MacLean, Callum MacLean, Tyler Eadie, Ben Kelly

BANKS O’DEE: Daniel Hoban, Alasdair Stark, Jason Selbie, Mark Reynolds, Nathan Cooney, Iain Vigurs, Max Alexander, Kane Winton, Lachie MacLeod, Kacper Lewecki, Liam Duff

Subs: Matthew Duncan, Michael Philipson, Christian Antoniazzi, Ramsay Davidson, Andrew Hunter