Nairn County 2 – 1 Arbroath Victoria – Friendly – Saturday 19 July 2025

At a rain-soaked Station Park – in stark contrast to last week’s glorious sunshine – County made a number of changes to the side that easily brushed the Nairn Saints aside. Among those missing were key players Kenny McKenzie, Angus Dey and Paul Brindle, while Callum MacLean started at right back and Ben Kelly also made the starting line up.

All the goals came in the opening 45 minutes, which saw Nairn come from behind with Kelly and Trialist A on target to give them a deserved win.

A number of the County league-winning side of 50 years ago were in attendance and looked on as the visitors took the lead in just three minutes. Giancarlo Giacomini picked out Lucas McKimmie and he had time to pick his spot from about 12 yards.

County threatened an equaliser in 10 minutes when Sammy Gordon’s determination saw him shrug off a couple of challenges, but Vics keeper Dylan Ross was alert to the danger, making a blocking save for a corner.

But five minutes later Nairn were level. Jonathan Bain picked out the unmarked Kelly, moving into space inside the area, and he made no mistake from 10 yards.

Vics replied with a decent ball into the area from McKimmie, but the inrushing Andi Manolache was inches away from making contact.

However, County were seeing more of the ball and a Charlie Mackenzie high ball into the box had the visitors’ defence struggling to clear and when the ball broke to Tyler Eadie, on the edge of area, his shot flew just over the top.

County then deservedly forged ahead in 37 minutes. Gordon’s cross eventually made its way to the far side of the box where Trialist A, with his back to goal and being tighly marked, still managed to execute a composed finish, turning to guide the ball just inside the keeper’s left-hand post.

With half-time approaching, Trialist A looked like he was going to grab his second of the aftrnoon when he met a Gordon cross from the right but Vics’ own Trialist A was on hand to hook the ball away from virtully on the goalline. And seconds later, Nairn’s Trialist A was denied again when Rose was well placed to block his powerful drive. (H-T 2-1.)

Eadie was first to threaten after the break, but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Trialist A.

Vics replied with a rasping shot from Manolache that was deflected for a corner.

A net-bound drive from Eadie in 68 minutes was kept out courtesy of a flying save from Rose. And the keeper again had to be alert minutes later to deny Kelly.

County continued to have the upper hand and Kelly went close again when he managed to get on the end of a Gordon low delivery, despite being closely marked, however, Rose was equal to his effort and got down low to smother.

Josh Stephenson picked out Chevy Thomson wide on the right. He side stepped Dean Hardie before pulling the trigger, but again Rose was well placed to get a firm pair of hands behind the ball.

As full time approached, County again threatened when Ross Murphy put in a decent ball, but Stephenson was unable to connect.

But the Angus men almost snatched an equaliser in stoppage time. Isaac Deh sprinted clear and with only Dylan Maclean in front of him, the half-time substitute was denied when the Nairn stopper stretched out his boot to deflect the ball wide…and the referee immediately blew for full time.