July 15th 2024
ROSS Naismith looked to have snatched a late point for Nairn County against Wick Academy but a quick breakaway by the visitors just three minutes later earned the Scorries the spoils. A great block by Jack Maclean prevented Nairn from falling behind three minutes in. The youngster threw himself in front of Steven Anderson's eight-yard shot to prevent the visitors from finding an opener. At the other end, Gary Kerr fizzed a low ball across the face of goal from the left five minutes in but it was just too far in front of Dylan Mackenzie for the youngster to apply the finish. Kerr then had a go himself 18 minutes in but his powerful blast from a tight angle on the left was gathered by Sean McCarthy in the Wick goal. Another block from a full back kept Nairn level on 37 minutes as Stephen Mackenzie threw himself in front of Marc MacGregor's 10-yard blast. The visitors found an opener five minutes before the break though as Sam Mackay's short free kick found Steven Anderson 22 yards out and he was able to spin and blast a powerful effort inside the right-hand post. Nairn almost levelled two minutes later when Glenn Main's deep free kick from the right was headed on by Kerr at the far post. McCarthy failed to keep a hold of it but Jamie Mackay could only volley the dropping ball well over the crossbar. A Nairn corner from the left dropped to Mackay on 68 minutes but his powerful shot was blocked on its way to goal by his own player, Calum Riddell. Dylan Maclean kept the deficit at one for the hosts as he made a superb block with his foot at his near post to keep out David Allan's close range blast after the Wick attacker had spun in the box. Two late goals settled the match as Nairn looked to have earned a point before Wick went up the other end and snatched the win. A cross in from the left by Ross Naismith was misjudged by goalkeeper Sean McCarthy with the referee ruling the stopper had collected the ball behind the line and awarding the hosts a goal. But just three minutes later, David Allan played Richard MacAdie into the box down the right and his ball across goal was swept home by David Allan for the winner. Substitute Jordan Macrae rasped a 20-yard shot narrowly past the right hand post as County were unable to salvage another equaliser. Nairn County – D. Maclean, S. Mackenzie, J. Maclean, P. Macleod (yellow 70), Glenn Main (y 78), Riddell (y 23), Mackay (Macrae 80), Moir (Morganti 63), Kerr, D. Mackenzie (Naismith 63), K. McKenzie (y 39). Subs unused: MacDonald, Ednie, Barton, Wilkie (gk). Wick Academy – McCarthy, R. Allan (yellow 41) (D. Mackay 68), Manson, Steven, Hardwick, S. Mackay, Pickles, A. Mackay (Macadie 46), D. Allan, Anderson, MacGregor (Weir 46). Subs unued: D. Mackay, Maclean, Petrie. Referee – Thomas Shaw. Graeme Macleod
