July 15th 2024
ATTENTION turns to the William Hill Scottish Cup this weekend as Nairn County welcome Preston Athletic to Station Park in the first round of the competition. The Lowland League side have mirrored their hosts with a summer of upheaval and significant player turnover and both clubs will be looking at this tie as a welcome break from the grind of league fixtures and a realistic chance to progress into the second round of the competition. NCFC Media will bring you updates on all of the action from Station Park tomorrow with team line-ups available before kick-off, instant coverage of the match as it happens, a report on the final whistle and reaction from the County dressing room after the dust has settled. Follow the club's official social media channels facebook.com/nairncountyfc and @NairnCounty on Twitter for all of the coverage. In the meantime, a preview of the match is below: Date: Saturday September 24th 2016 Competition: William Hill Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup Round One Kick-off: 1500 Opponents: Preston Athletic Manager: Craig Nisbet Venue: Station Park, Nairn Previous meeting: Preston Athletic 0 Nairn County 2 August 25th 2012 Last time out: Nairn County 1 Wick Academy 2; Preston Athletic 7 Tweedmouth Rangers 2 League position: Nairn County 16th Preston Athletic 16th Form guides: Nairn County WLLLWL Preston Athletic LLLLLW Team news: Midfielders Gregg Main and Wayne Mackintosh are set to hand Ronnie Sharp a massive Scottish Cup boost as they edge towards a return to full fitness. Both players are expected to be named in the match day squad for this huge encounter having come through training this week unscathed. They will be joined by Callum Maclean, who has returned from a two-week break in Tokyo while young goalkeeper Ryan Macleod is also available again having been on holiday in Tenerife. One to watch: Ross Colquhoun. The attacker is Preston's set piece expert and will come into the tie brimming with confidence having bagged himself a hat trick in last weekend's thumping of Tweedmouth Rangers. His strikes came through two penalties and one expertly-executed 30-yard free kick that he fired under the wall to the bemusement of the visiting defence and goalkeeper. The County back line are going to have to be wary of the threat both he and fellow forward Stuart Ritchie pose with the latter also having bagged a treble last weekend. Match officials: Referee Steven Traynor, Assistants Dave Milligan and Gary McCarthy Weather forecast: Light cloud 18 degrees 14 mph wind Admission prices: Adults £10 Concessions £5 Graeme Macleod
