BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
NAIRN COUNTY 3-3 STRATHSPEY THISTLE
SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2024
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goalscorers: Paul Brindle (29’); Ben Barron (52’, 63’, 81’); Liam Shewan (Pen 69’); Filip Franczak (75’)
Today Team Man Of The Match: Ben Barron
Match Report by Niamh Cowdrey
County drew against Strathspey Thistle in a six-goal thriller this afternoon at a cloudy station park which featured a hat-trick for Ben Barron.
The game started with chances at both ends, including an opportunity for an early goal for County in the third minute. Crossed by Angus Dey to Ben Barron at the far post, pushed just wide by the keeper.
The scoring opened in the 29th minute by Strathspey’s Paul Brindle, who lobbed the ball over an advancing Dylan MacLean from the right side of the box.
County came out after half time an improved team, as they applied plenty of pressure to the opposition both on and off the ball. Their efforts were acknowledged when Ben Barron levelled in the 52nd minute, with a cross from Jamie Williamson which met him on the right.
A second goal for Ben Barron came 11 minutes later, with a superb ball crossed from the right. Flicked over his head with one foot, volleyed with the other, went over the keeper into the goal to score Nairn’s second.
A penalty for Strathspey followed, taken by former Nairn County striker Liam Shewan, placed into the bottom right corner – just too far for MacLean to reach.
Then a third for the Strathy Jags was scored by Filip Franczak, following a run through the middle to beat the keeper in a 1v1.
County’s number nine secured his hat-trick with an 81st minute goal, following a mistake by a Strathspey defender. Matthew Wright had a first shot, which was parried by the keeper into Barron’s path, ending with a deserved Nairn equaliser.
The points were shared in the end, taking County up to 10th in the table.
County will next play away at Clachnacuddin in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, on September 28th 2024 at 3pm.
Nairn County: Dylan Maclean, Angus Dey, Jonathan Bain (Tyler Eadie 46’), Alister Morrison, Fraser Dingwall (C), Alasdair Gillies, Scott Lisle, Jamie Williamson (Matthew Wright 80’), Ben Barron, Gary Kerr (Alan Pollock 46’), Andrew Greig
Subs unused; Ben Kelly, Sam Gordon, Kenny McKenzie, Lewis Munro
Strathspey Thistle: Euan Storrier, Trialist, Alistair Nixon, James McShane (C), Cameron Lisle, Filip Franczak, Juan Cardona Cuellar, James Fraser, Paul Brindle, Liam Shewan, Josh Race
Subs; Caelan Mutch, Doeimassei Doguie, Lewis Mackie, Kieran Duffty, Aaron Doran, Kit Fletcher