October 5th 2026
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 2 – 0 BANKS O’DEE
SATURDAY 11 APRIL 2026
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Ben Barron (37′), Calum Mackay (84′)
Ralph Sayer Man of the Match: Finn As-Chainey
Match Report by John Dolan
Nairn ended the season on a high with this deserved win over Banks o’Dee.
Ben Barron gave the Wee County the lead just before half-time and Calum Mackay made sure of the points six minutes from time.
Wayne Mackintosh made one change to the side the lost 1-0 in midweek to Fraserburgh: Andrew Greig coming in for Paul Brindle.
Nairn might have been ahead in the third minute. A cross from the right found the unmarked Fin As-Chainey, but from 12 yards fired straight at keeper Matthew Duncan.
A free kick into the Dee box by Calum Mackay found Calum MacLean, but his head flick went straight into the arms of Duncan.
With 16 minutes played, Nairn moved down the left where As-Chainey’s delivery picked out Greig. The little winger opted to go for the volley, but it flew well over.
Another promising move saw Barron lay the ball off to Mackay and his first-time ball picked out Greig wide on the right. He then picked out Barron on the edge of the area, but the striker was eventually dispossessed as he tried to turn and shoot.
Midway through the half, Michael Philipson fouled Greig 25 yards out, but from the free kick Mackay was unable to hit the target, blazing well over.
With 28 minutes played Mackay played in Barron, but Duncan came to his side’s rescue blocking his low shot with his legs.
At the other end, Magnus Watson found space in the box, but McHale saved well to his left to deny the striker.
Nairn should have been ahead in 34 minutes when Tyler Eadie was set up by Barron, but the midfielder pulled his shot wide from the edge of the box.
However, Nairn eventually did break the deadlock three minutes later.
A deep cross from Greig found Barron, well positioned at the back post, and he made no mistake with his header. (H-T 1-0.)
A good run down the right by Ashton Leiper looked promising for the visitors as he tried to pick out the unmarked Philipson, but Jonathan Bain was well placed to snuff out the danger.
Ben Kelly replaced Greig in 77 minutes and the striker almost found the goal with his first touch; however his goal-bound shot came off the head of Alasdair Stark.
Barron had the chance to kill the game in 83 minutes, but his angled drive was too high.
But a second Nairn goal did arrive a minute later when Kelly did well to slip a couple of Dee men wide on the left. The substitute then cut the ball back from the byline for the awaiting Mackay, on the edge of the penalty area. His shot couldn’t be kept out by the Dee keeper and the midfielder followed up to ram the ball home – and secure a last-day win for the Wee County.
The result sees Nairn finish the season in ninth place on 49 points from 34 games – 12 points more than last season.
NAIRN COUNTY – McHale, Watson (yellow 72), Bain (C. McKenzie 88), Gamble, MacLean, Eadie, Mackay, MacInnes (K. McKenzie 65), Barron (Voigt 88), As-Chainey (Thompson 88), Greig (Kelly 77 (y82)). Substitutes not used – Wood, Mackintosh, MacLean (gk).
BANKS O’DEE – Duncan, Lorrimer, Stephen, Davidson, Stark, Cooney (Lawrence 64), Gilmour, Watson, Philipson, Leiper, Craig (Alexander 64). Substitutes not used – Mackie, Lawson, Forbes.
Referee – Owen Lawrence.
