July 15th 2024
BOTH clubs go into this game knowing that league places can be gained with a victory if results elsewhere go their way as they aim to go into an intense period of catch-up fixtures on a high. Brora Rangers and Nairn County have played just 23 and 26 of a 34 league games respectively, meaning that a busy April lies in store for both clubs. Victory in this one for the visitors will take them back above Huntly in the table and move them into the top six places if Buckie Thistle fail to win at home against Turriff United. The Cattachs were idle at the weekend with their away match at Rothes rained off, meaning that they arrive at Station Park refreshed and ready to go with their last outing the narrow Highland League (Morganti) Cup semi-final loss to Formartine United last Wednesday night, when they missed out on a place in the final by the odd goal in five. It is a return to league action for the first time since March 10th for Ross Tokely’s men as they aim to climb the table in the final few weeks of the season to add to their magnificent Scottish Cup run where they defeated league clubs Stranraer and East Fife both away from home to earn a memorable tie at Kilmarnock. Nairn go into the match looking to bounce back from their disappointing performance away at Inverurie Locos at the weekend as they look to avenge two defeats to Brora earlier in the season, when the Dudgeon Park men eased into the semi finals of the North of Scotland Cup with victory at Station Park before defeating Nairn 3-0 in the league on their own patch at the end of August. You can follow live updates from tonight’s match on the club’s official social media platforms by logging on to facebook.com/nairncountyfc or following @NairnCounty on Twitter to keep up-to-date with all the action as it happens. You will be able to access team lines before kick-off, coverage of all the talking points from throughout the match as it happens, a report on the final whistle and reaction from the Nairn camp tomorrow morning. You can also follow the club on Instagram for everything behind-the-scenes. A preview of the match is below: Date: Wednesday March 28th 2018 Competition: Scottish Highland Football League Kick-off: 2000 Opponents: Brora Rangers Manager: Ross Tokely Venue: Station Park, Nairn Previous meeting: Brora Rangers 3 Nairn County 0 September 30th 2017 Last time out: Brora Rangers 2 Formartine United 3; Inverurie Locos 4 Nairn County 1 League position: Nairn County 11th Brora Rangers 8th Form guides: Nairn County WLLWLL Brora Rangers LWWLWL Team news: Nairn County are set to be along similar lines for this visit of Brora Rangers. Dylan Mackenzie came off the bench at Inverurie Locos on Saturday after returning from a gashed lip sustained at Fort William a fortnight ago and came successfully came through a half-hour runout. Jack Maclean played 90 minutes for the under-20s team on Monday night after a recent calf injury and he is also ready to return but Danny Highet is unavailable because of illness. Callum Ednie and Gregg Main continue to work their way back from hamstring and serious knee injuries respectively while young goalkeeper Fraser Wilkie is out with a thigh strain and Inaki Fernandino-Soto has a groin problem. Craig Munro and Matty Macleod are on loan at Inverness City. One to watch: Gavin Morrison. The industrious midfielder makes up the beating heart of the Brora team alongside his cohort Martin Maclean. Former Inverness CT youngster Morrison is adept at sensing danger when the opposition attacks and being in the right place at the right time to break up any attacking moves. He is then careful enough in possession to set the Cattachs on their way with the accuracy of his passing one of his key strengths. His set piece deliveries also provide Brora with ample scoring opportunities as they look for the three points that could take them two places up the table. Match officials: Referee Harry Bruce, Assistants Molly Alexander and Gary Falconer. Weather forecast: Light rain showers 4 degrees 10 mph wind. Admission prices: Adults £8 Concessions £5 (two children under the age of 14 are admitted for free if they are accompanied by a paying adult). Graeme Macleod
