September 3rd 2026
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 1 – 2 FORMARTINE UNITED
SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER 2025
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Calum Mackay (32′); Rory McAllister (3′) & Aaron Norris (44′)
Match Report by John Dolan
For the second week in row Nairn faced a side chasing the league title.
After drawing with Clach last Saturday, they entertained Formartine at the weekend and, once again, gave as good as they got, but on this occasion were desperately unlucky to come away empty handed.
County made one change to the side that drew at Grant Street Park – new signing from Buckie Thistle Dale Wood replacing Calum MacLean at left back.
The visitors took an early lead when Rory McAllister outjumped the home defence to head home Marc Lawrence’s corner after just three minutes.
County came close to hitting back almost immediately, but Ben Kelly was just a yard or two away from connecting with a low delivery across the eight-yard box from Kenny McKenzie.
Paul Brindle then surged forward before picking out Calum Mackay, but the Nairn man’s control on the edge of the box let him down and the opportunity was lost.
United came close to doubling their lead when Glenn Murison got his head to another Lawrence cross, but failed to get enough on it and he ended up glancing wide.
At the other end, there were no takers to an inviting ball into the box from Mackay.
But County deservedly drew level in 32 minutes.
Gary Pullen made his way to the byline, but before he could get his cross in, Lawrence was adjudged to have fouled him and the ref pointed to the spot. Mackay stepped up to dink the ball over the diving Stuart McKenzie.
County were lucky not to fall behind again when Matthew Cooper ghosted in to meet a Lawrence free kick; however, the full back’s volley was always rising; however, it was a real let off for the home side.
McAllister then turned his marker beautifully before threading the ball through to the galloping Michael Dangana, but Dylan Maclean raced from his box to boot clear in the nick of time.
But a minute before the break, Aaron Norris had the visitors ahead when he converted from close range.
And County were fortunate not to concede again when Lawrence met a powerful delivery across the face of the goal, but his strike flew just over. (H-T 1-2.)
There was little between the sides in the open quarter of the second half and the nearest to a goal came from a Kenny McKenzie header that went just wide.
But it was County who cranked up the pressure and went close with almost 70 minutes on the clock only for McKenzie to deny Jamie Carnihan. Seconds later, McKenzie again came to his side’s rescue, this time denying Brindle.
The game was flowing mainly one way and another chance came for Nairn when Barron, lurking at the back post, nodded across goal, but there were no takers for the loose ball.
It had been all Nairn, but in the closing stages the visitors twice went close through Julian Wade; however, Maclean was equal to the task and there was no further scoring.
Undoubtedly, Nairn boss Wayne Mackintosh can take heart at his side’s showing, particularly in the second half, when they had their visitors hemmed in and this performance augurs well for the rest of the season.
NAIRN COUNTY – Maclean, Carnihan, Wood (yellow 77) (C. McKenzie 82), Gamble, Dingwall, Eadie, Mackay, Pullen (Barron 68), Brindle, Kelly (Dey 68), K. McKenzie (As-Chainey 77). Substitutes not use –Voigt, Bain, MacInnes, Greig, Munro (gk).
FORMARTINE UNITED – McKenzie, Cooper (Campbell 62), McLean, Ross, Thomas, Lawrence (yellow 57) (Murray 72), A. Norris, Rodgers, McAllister (Wade 62) , Dangana (Strachan 72), Murison (y85). Substitutes not used – Mykyta, Crawford, McCormack, F. Norris, Middleton (gk).
Referee – Will Adam.
This Saturday, County are away to Huntly in the Breedon Highland League. Kick off 3pm.
Match sponsor – Brian Dey Retirement
