December 23rd 2024
NAIRN County kick-off the second half of their Highland League season with only their seventh Saturday home game of the campaign in all competitions with 50 percent of the club’s matches at Station Park so far having taken place on a Wednesday evening. The last time Nairn played a home league match on a Saturday was two months ago when they saw off Fort William and having had no match at all last Saturday due to Formartine United’s Scottish Cup commitments, Ronnie Sharp will be hoping his players are rested and refreshed after a hard shift against Cove Rangers in their last outing a week-and-a-half ago. The hosts welcome a Deveronvale side bang in form with the Banffers having knocked Fraserburgh out of the Highland League (Morganti) Cup a fortnight ago by recording the impressive feat of winning away at Bellslea before following that up with a solid three points away at lowly Lossiemouth. Completing an away treble with victory in this one is now well within the sights of Steve Dolan’s men and they will be determined to make it three road victories on the spin by adding three points to their total this weekend. You can follow the action from Station Park in this one through the club’s official social media channels. Simply logon to facebook.com/nairncountyfc or follow @NairnCounty on Twitter for team line-ups before kick-off, updates on all the major talking points from the match as it progresses, a report on the final whistle and reaction from the County camp afterwards. Meanwhile, a preview is below: Date: Wednesday December 1st 2018 Competition: Scottish Highland Football League Kick-off: 1500 Opponents: Deveronvale Manager: Steve Dolan Venue: Station Park, Nairn Previous meeting: Deveronvale 0 Nairn County 1 August 4th 2018 Last time out: Nairn County 0 Cove Rangers 1; Lossiemouth 2 Deveronvale 4 League position: Nairn County 13th Deveronvale 10th Form guides: Nairn County WLLLWL Deveronvale LLDLWW Team news: Defensive duo Kenny McKenzie and Fraser Dingwall are set to return to the reckoning to boost Nairn County boss Ronnie Sharp’s hand. They are set to be joined in the squad by Dylan Mackenzie, who has returned to full training this week following a recent knee injury. Tom Maclennan’s hamstring has responded well to treatment but this one may come to soon for the ex-Ross County midfielder. Ryan MacDonald rolled his ankle in training on Thursday night moving him to the doubtful category and young quartet Craig Munro, Joe Cuthbert, Cameron Maclean and Ryan MacBean have all joined Burghead Thistle on loan. Long term absentee Gregg Main is still sidelined. One to watch: Robert Scott. The attacker is in a rich vein of form having grabbed both the Deveronvale goals in their fantastic 2-1 win at Fraserburgh in the first round of the Highland League (Morganti) Cup first round a fortnight ago before following that up with a decisive hat-trick last weekend as the Banffers saw off Lossiemouth by four goals to two to make it back-to-back away day successes. It was the 19-year-old former Buckie Thistle forward’s second treble for the club having also notched a hat-trick against Strathspey Thistle last season. He is sure to arrive at Station Park high in confidence with a hunger to continue his hot streak and help his side on their way to what would be a well-earned three points. Match officials: Referee Alan Proctor, Assistants Gary Falconer and Gary McCarthy. Weather forecast: Sunny intervals 5 degrees 9 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
