July 15th 2024
REECE Barton has been recalled from his loan spell at Nairn St Ninian. The 19-year-old goes straight into Ronnie Sharp's squad for tomorrow's trip to Formartine United. Sharp said: "We are bit thin on the ground numbers-wise with a couple of boys working tomorrow, Gary Kerr still suspended, Paul Macleod out injured and Jason Morganti struggling to shrug off a groin strain, so we needed to boost the squad." "Reece has done well in the under-20s this season since moving into midfield. I said to all of the under-20s squad in the summer that they need to do more than just train with the club twice-a-week if they want to make it in the Highland League and it is obvious that Reece is one of the players to have taken that on board. This is his reward for that and it is a chance for him to step up and prove that he is capable of being with the first team." Barton was one of a trio of young players to join Nairn St Ninian on loan earlier in the season as he made the temporary switch to the Showfield along with Craig Munro and Matty Macleod. A combination of his work commitments – meaning he was not available every Saturday – and St Ninian's fine run of form meant that he found game time hard to come by but he caught the eye of the manager as he continued to excel with Stuart Finnie's under-20s side, even captaining the team in recent games. Graeme Macleod
