July 15th 2024
RONNIE Sharp praised the effort of opponents Nairn St Ninian after watching his Nairn County side secured a hard-fought 3-0 win at the Showfield. Goals from Max Ewan, Craig Munro and a Ross Naismith penalty won the Nairn Charity Shield for County for the second year in succession. "It was a good game for us," Sharp said. "We knew it was going to be difficult against St Ninian with it being two local teams. I think both sides had players missing due to different circumstances but we were delighted with how it went, especially given that nine of the 15 players that we used were all teenagers. All the players who were available got good minutes into them and that is what it is all about." Ewan's opener saw him mark his first start for the club and not to be outdone, 19-year-old Craig Munro headed home the second on his maiden appearance in the first 11. "I thought Max did really well," stated Sharp. "It was his first start for the club and he is still only 16 years old. It was a good, tidy finish and it was good to see Craig Munro scoring as well. It bodes well and I thought all of the young players performed well against a good St Ninian side." Munro joined another player appearing from the start for the first time this summer in Callum Ednie in defence, alongside the experienced Glenn Main and the trio helped secure a first clean sheet of pre-season. Sharp added: "Any time you get a clean sheet you are happy – it does not matter who the opposition is. It is good for the confidence and we will be looking to carry that on into the game on Saturday." County conclude their pre-season preparations with an away visit to New Elgin tomorrow. Sharp revealed: "We still have quite a few boys out with knocks and strains, so it will be a lot of the same boys again. We will take it as it comes on the day – a couple of the boys might return but we will not know for sure until lunchtime on Saturday. We will be along the same sort of lines though and everyone will get good minutes again." Graeme Macleod
