July 15th 2024
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 2 – 2 INVERURIE LOCO WORKS
WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2022
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goalscorers: Gethins (19), Davidson (50); Dingwall (70), Michie (81)
County went into their league encounter against Inverurie Loco Works supposedly low in confidence, with just three draws from the matches played this term. Steven Mackay, appointed 48 hours earlier went into the match looking for a change in fortunes, and for 70 minutes, his side had very much held the upper-hand courtesy of goals from Conor Gethins and Scott Davidson.
With twenty minutes remaining Locos reduced the leeway through Calum Dingwall, and the home side were further shocked with nine minutes remaining when Jamie Michie levelled the match to leave the home side still searching for their opening league win of the season.
The match opened at a brisk pace with both side’s on the offensive, with play swinging from end to end during those opening exchanges. Both teams went close inside the opening fifteen minutes.
The visitors were first to threaten when Garry Wood latched onto a through ball but watched as his effort cannoned of the base of the post. Two minutes later, the home side almost snatched the lead when Liam Shewan burst into the box, but watched his effort beat keeper Andy Reid but smack of the far post.
The opener was only delayed however, as the home side broke the deadlock after nineteen minutes, with a superbly worked effort. Shewan made the running with a darting run and cut back from the by-line that found Conor Gethins with time and space – before smashing a superb right foot effort past the helpless keeper.
Ten minutes from the interval, Locos striker Garry Wood brought a fine save from Dylan Maclean as the visitors went in search of an equaliser, however, were finding the home defence resolute and well marshalled by Fraser Dingwall and Paul Macleod.
The home side began the second period as they had finished the first, on the offensive, and five minutes after the restart they added to their advantage with a goal of real quality and a contender for goal of the season – even at this early stage.
Striker Scott Davidson collected a ball 25 yards from goal, evaded a couple of challenges, before swivelling to smash an unstoppable left foot drive into the postage stamp corner of the net – with Reid helpless.
With the home side pushing forward at every opportunity, Locos almost lost a third effort, with only a brilliant stop from the Locos keeper denying Gethins his second effort, with a scorching 25 yard free kick. Adam Porritt followed it up with a powerful 20 yard effort that brought an excellent block from the keeper after seventy minutes.
However, a minute later, the pendulum swung the other way when Calum Dingwall reduced the leeway with an effort from the edge of the box. Worse was to follow for the home side when the visitors levelled with nine minutes remaining when Jamie Michie crashed home the equaliser from the edge of the box.
The loss of that late equaliser will be a bitter disappointment to Manager Steven Mackay, but the performance overall is sure to have pleased him and the commitment shown by the players will give the fans confidence for the remainder of the season.
NAIRN COUNTY: Dylan Maclean: Cameron Lisle, Callum Maclean, Paul Macleod, Fraser Dingwall (C) (Callum Howarth 75), Wayne MacKintosh, Andrew Greig, Adam Porritt, Conor Gethins, Scott Davidson (Sam Gordon 88) Liam Shewan (Angus Dey 67)
Subs unused: Glenn Main, Seamus McConaghy, Stephen Rennie, Will Counsell (GK)
INVERURIE LOCO WORKS: A.Reid: T.Reid, Mitchell (Meres 89) C.Dingwall, Souter, Johnstone, Ward, Wood, Halliday ( Alberts 70) Michie, Gill
Subs unused: Thain, Petermann, Farquhar (gk)
Referee: Harry Bruce
