July 15th 2024
AN early goal blitz from Nairn County under-20s saw off Lossiemouth as they earned another home three points. The hosts broke the deadlock 11 minutes in. Jack Maclean flicked the ball on for Jordan Macrae, who knocked it down into the path of the midfielder who had run off the defender and into the box to meet the ball and take a touch before lashing a crisp low shot across Connor Hutton in the Lossiemouth goal and into the net. Just three minutes later, Nairn added a second. Matty Macleod whipped in an out-swinging corner that Craig Munro stooped to meet with a looping header that flew into the roof of the net. Ryan Macleod was called into action to make a fine reaction save at his near post to keep out Jamie Lees' shot after the midfielder lashed a low cut back from the right goalwards on 17 minutes. An exquisite through pass from Matty Macleod saw Nairn added a third on 23 minutes. The County captain clipped the ball through for Jordan Macrae to run on to and he advanced in on goal and just when it appeared as if he had been crowded out, he fired the ball under the diving Hutton. Jordan Macrae grabbed his second of the night eight minutes later. The striker collected a throw-in from the right beside the by-line with his back to goal and spun his man before blasting a low drive across goal and into the far corner. Macrae was denied a first half hat trick as Hutton beat his shot from the edge of the box away on 35 minutes with Maclean side-footing the follow up just past. County almost added a fifth goal just after half time but Aaron Fraser's drilled effort from the edge of the box was hacked off the line. The hosts threatened again 64 minutes but Matty Macleod's dink over the goalkeeper off Macrae's through pass came back off the post. Sam Gordon came on with 17 minutes to play and immediately he fed Matty Macleod but his drive was beaten away by Hutton. Hutton prevented Nairn from adding another goal on 80 minutes as he dived to his right to palm away Nick Highet's curling free kick from the edge of the box. Matty Macleod then raced forward and rolled the ball to his right and into the path of Gordon but his first time low shot was saved by Hutton on 83 minutes. Nairn County – R. Macleod, J. Maclean (Grant 65), Reid, Munro, Ednie, Barton, Fraser (yellow 69) (Gordon 73), Alexander (y 81), MacRae (MacBean 65), M. Macleod, Highet. Subs unused: Tweedie, Wilkie (gk). Lossiemouth – Hutton, Cowie, Noble (yellow 50), Kennedy (McArthur 56), Scott Campbell (y 48), Wilson (y 32) (Taylor 70), Sewell, Lees (y 28), Davidson, Campbell, Pashley (Elliot 63). Subs unused: Stephen Campbell, Hill. Referee – Darren Munro. Graeme Macleod
