December 5th 2023
Report from Ally Munro, the club's U17s coach. Nairn 17's Bounce Back from Cup Final defeat. On Saturday (21/9/13) Nairn County Under 17's played Stratton Thistle at Grant Street Park, Inverness. On a good surface for passing football Nairn started well but went 1-0 behind after half an hour when one of Stratton's players cut in from the right wing and hit a shot which the keeper could only parry into his own net. In the second half and with the breeze at their backs Nairn dominated possession and created numerous chances but found the Stratton keeper in great form as he pulled off a string of fine saves. However Stratton picked up a loose ball and one of their midfielders hit a shot from about 30 yards to score. Despite being two goals down Nairn continued to press and created three other great chances but were again foiled by the Stratton keeper, however with ten minutes to go Nairn centre forward Jack MacLean got behind the opposing defence and pulled a goal back. In the end it was not enough as Stratton held out for victory by 2 goals to 1. On Sunday Nairn 17's played their second game in two days and bounced back from their cup final defeat by beating Wick Academy in the Highland Youth League by four goals to two. Nairn were two nil up at half time with the goals coming from centre half Craig Munro who bulleted in a header from a Matthew MacLeod corner and then MacLeod himself scoring from inside the box. The second half started with Nairn pushing forward and Jack MacLean making it three nil after a fine run from midfield. Wick came more into the game and pulled two goals back to make it three two but Nairn finished the game as a contest when Matthew MacLeod sent a looping header over the Wick keeper to make the final score 4-2. This leaves Nairn undefeated after four games in the Highland Youth League. Ally Munro
