July 15th 2024
HAVING reached the quarter finals of the Football Times Cup earlier in the season, the under-20s enter their second North Caledonian League knockout competition of the campaign as they take on league leaders Alness United in the first round of the North Caledonian Cup. Stuart Finnie’s side made history back at the start of September as they became the first under-20s team to win a tie in a North Caledonian competition as they knockout out St Duthus in a penalty shootout at Station Park. They then went to Golspie Sutherland in the quarter finals and narrowly lost out by the odd goal in three. It will take a big effort from the young County starlets to progress in this one though with Alness United boasting a 100 percent record so far this season with five wins from five in the North Caledonian League and the Football Times Cup already safely in the cabinet. You can follow score updates from the match on the club’s social media channels by following @NairnCounty on Twitter or logging on to facebook.com/nairncountyfc. Preview below: Date: Saturday November 3rd 2018 Competition: North Caledonian Cup first round Kick-off: 1300 Opponents: Alness United Venue: Bught Park, Inverness Previous meeting: n/a Last time out: Elgin City U20s 4 Nairn County U20s 0; Invergordon 0 Alness United 1. Team news: First team squad members Fraser Dingwall, Dylan Mackenzie, Max Ewan, Seamus McConaghy, Joe Cuthbert and Craig Munro are still young enough to play at under-20s level but are in Ronnie Sharp’s squad for the Highland League (Morganti) Cup tie with Buckie Thistle. Duncan Robertson and Cameron Maclean are also both unavailable for Stuart Finnie’s selection while Alex Geddes also misses out as he is carrying an injury but Fraser Wilkie has been called back from his loan at Nairn St Ninian for this fixture before returning to the Showfield side. Squad: Fraser Wilkie, Scott Cruden, Jack W. Maclean, Harry Barron, Angus Davidson, Euan Wheeler, Sam Campbell, Craig McDermott, Ian Payne, Lewis Mitchell, Tyler Eadie, Sean McWilliams, Logan Hallam, Ryan MacBean, Ciaran Young, Sam Gordon. Match officials: Referee Chris Macleod. Weather forecast: Light rain 15 degrees 15 mph wind. Admission prices: Adults free Concessions free. Graeme Macleod
