September 3rd 2026
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
NAIRN COUNTY 5 – 0 NAIRN ST NINIAN
SATURDAY 12TH JULY 2025
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goalscorers: Paul Brindle (5’); Trialist A (16’), Angus Dey (38’), Sam Gordon (52′), Kenny McKenzie (67′)
Match Report by John Dolan
County strolled to victory over their Showfield neighbours on Saturday thanks to first half goals from Paul Brindle, a Trialist and Angus Dey. Substitute Sammy Gordon then headed home just after the break and Kenny McKenzie rounded off the scoring midway through the half.
At a sun-drenched Station Park, County were first to threaten when Tyler Eadie went close with a low drive that flashed just wide. And before the junior side could settle, Nairn took the lead in five minutes when Brindle found space to pick his spot from close range.
But the home side suffered a blow after 12 minutes when summer signing Brindle picked up an injury and despite initially soldiering on, he was eventually replaced by Gordon.
Despite going behind the visitors were not to be discouraged and a decent move in 15 minutes saw Angus Davidson and Logan Hallam link up well before the latter picked out Jack Anderson, however, the former County man’s delivery into the box was overhit and a decent chance lost.
Two minutes later, County doubled their lead when Calum Mackay’s neat flick picked out Trialist and he showed good composure to send the ball just inside Ross Hepburn’s left-hand post.
With 25 minutes on the clock, Saints passed up another decent chance. Thomas Lewis looked like he had lost possession on the edge of the box, but managed to win the ball back. His deep cross picked out Sean McWilliams, but he failed to test Dylan Maclean, as he sent his effort across the face of the goal. It would be the last time the visitors would really threaten the Nairn goal.
Trialist then passed up a decent chance to grab his second of the afternoon when K. McKenzie picked him out, unmarked few yards out, but he headed well over.
The Wee County continued to press and Gordon was inches away with a low shot, while Mackay also went tantalisingly close.
But the home pressure paid off in 38 minutes when Dey sent a blistering drive past a helpless Hepburn after he latched on to a pin-point Eadie through ball. This was to be the midfielder’s last contribution though, as he injured himself in the process of scoring, being replaced by another Trialist.
With half-time approaching Hepburn came to his side’s rescue, coming off his line to get down low in the nick of time to take the ball off Trialist’s toes when it looked like the Nairn man was going to get to the ball first. (H-T 3-0.)
With County pressing straight on to the attack it was no surprise when they increased their lead and victory was all but assured.
Mackay swung a corner in from the left; it found its way to one of the smallest players on the pitch – Sammy Gordon – and his headed effort was good enough to loop over everyone and drop just under the bar to make it 4-0.
Midway through the half, Nairn completed the scoring when K. McKenzie pounced on some hesitancy in the Saints defence and he calmly dispatched the ball past an exposed Hepburn.
And it might have been six with 15 minutes to go but Eadie’s rasping 30-yard drive flew just over the top. No more goals, but County boss Wayne Mackintosh will be happy with the five goals – all from different players – despite it being a very much one-sided contest.
NAIRN COUNTY – Maclean, Carnihan (Thomson 65), K. McKenzie, Watson, Dingwall (Bain 77), C. McKenzie (Murphy 77), Eadie, Brindle (Gordon 31), Trialist A (Stephenson 65), Mackay, Dey (Trialist B 42). Substitutes not used – Gamble, Barron, Munro (gk).
NAIRN ST NINIAN – Hepburn, Anderson, J. Grant, MacLean (N. Grant 55), Munro (Walker 67), Davidson, Hallam, Logan (Brown 65), Young, McWilliam, Lewis (MacKinnon 65).
Up next for County is their final pre-season friendly next Saturday. This time Midlands Junior League side Arbroath Vics provide the opposition. Kick off 3pm.
The following Saturday (July 26), County kick off their Highland League challenge away to Buckie Thistle.
