October 9th 2026
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 1 – 0 LOSSIEMOUTH
SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2026
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Jamie Carnihan (49′)
Ralph Sayer Man of the Match: Jamie Carnihan
Match Report by John Dolan
Andy Greig and Paul Brindle made the starting line-up for the visit of Lossiemouth, the pair having started on the bench in last week’s 1-0 defeat at Forres. Meanwhile, Tyler Eadie and Fin As-Chainey dropped to the bench. Millar Gamble continued with the captain’s armband in the absence of Fraser Dingwall, who picked up an injury at Forres.
County enjoyed the early possession and had the chance to take the lead in the eighth minute. It came from a free kick, but Calum Mackay’s 25-yard drive flew straight into the arms of Arran Anderson.
It took until the 19th minute for the Coasters to mount a challenge. Owen Loveland picked out Stuart Call on the left. As he made his way into the box he fired a shot that skimmed the top of the bar on its way over.
A few minutes later, Dylan Maclean had to look lively to keep out a Liam Harvey free kick.
The visitors were starting to see more of the ball and threatened again; however, Loveland’s shot on the turn flew past the upright.
Some slack play from Gamble saw him dispossessed by Loveland, but the visitors couldn’t capitalise and the ball was eventually scrambled clear,
And with 38 minutes played, Harvey was a whisker away from putting his side ahead when he just failed to connect with Daniel Hanover’s deep free kick into the box.
County replied with a decent effort from Brindle, but his shot hit the back of a defender.
Greig then tried his luck from just outside the area, but his effort flew well over.
Two minutes before the break and Jamie Carnihan wasn’t too far away with a header off a Greig cross, but overall it had been a lacklustre first half showing from the Wee County. (H-T 0-0.)
County had the first early chance of the second half, but Brindle appeared to get caught in two minds whether to pull the trigger or lay the ball off to Barron. He chose the latter, but by the time he slipped the ball through to him enough bodies were back to block.
However, the home side did take the lead in 49 minutes.
It all started from a throw-in on the right for the visitors, which County intercepted. The ball was then quickly played forward to Carnihan who found space in the box to fire a low, angled drive across Anderson and into the the bottom, far corner – a well-taken goal by the defender.
A Kenny MacInnes delivery then eluded three Lossie men before finding its way to Barron, but he was unable to get his boot to the ball with only the keeper in front of him.
Dylan Maclean almost gifted Lossie an equaliser when he took too long to clear and Harvey almost stole in – the keeper eventually smacking the ball off Harvey before turning to see it roll just past the upright.
Gamble came to his side’s rescue in 77 minutes heading clear a dangerous free kick from Hanover as James Leslie looked to move in to head home at the back post.
A Lucan Davidson foul on As-Chainey, just inches outside the area, saw Charlie McKenzie step up to the ball, but he sent his effort just wide of target.
At the other end, a free kick from Hanover found the head of Lewis McAndrew and Maclean had to get down low at his near post to gather.
County responded with a low delivery from Angus Dey, which found Brindle, but the striker couldn’t adjust his feet quickly enough to turn it past the keeper.
The striker was then out of luck in added time when Anderson managed to parry his powerful shot from the edge of the box.
A close encounter – if not a classic – but County probably did just enough to merit the win. Lossiemouth made it difficult and they may feel they had done enough to get a share of the spoils; however, it’s another three points for the home side, which keeps them in seventh place in the SHFL – two points ahead of Buckie who have played a game more.
Maclean then conceded a free kick at the other end. From the set piece, MacNab picked out the unmarked Steven Sutherland but his shot flashed wide of the far post. And with that effort both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils – the visitors more likely to be the happier of the two sides, given the sustained pressure they found themselves under in the second half.
NAIRN COUNTY – Maclean, Carnihan, Wood, Gamble (Watson 90+2), Maclean, MacInnes (Eadie 68), Mackay (Dey 80), C. McKenzie, Barron (K. McKenzie 80), Brindle (yellow 90+4), Greig (As-Chainey 68). Substitutes not used – Voigt, Watson, Thompson, McHale (gk).
LOSSIEMOUTH – Anderson, McAndrew, Leslie (Smith 80), Archibald (yellow 9) (Cameron 60), Matheson, Macauley, Harvey (y90+1), Hanover, Coll (Kaniewski 60), Loveland, Davidson (y84). Substitutes not used – Russell, Mackay, Knight (gk).
Referee – Darren Munro.
