Turriff United 0
Nairn County 6
League (HFL)

Match Report

A four goal blast from Conor Gethins was enough to see off a battling Turriff United side as the two sides clashed this afternoon at the Haughs in our latest League fixture in what has been a turbulent season. It was Nairns day as we recorded our biggest ever win over todays opponents.

Manager Ronnie Sharp shuffled his deck as John Treasurer was out following an injury picked up last saturday in Buckie, his place being taken by Callum Ednie. There was a place on the bench for two local lads who have come through our youth system, John Grant and Nathan Grant making the step up to the First Team.

Both teams started with an urgency and in the early going it was hard to seperate them with chances falling to both Gethins of Nairn and MacDonald of Turriff but coming to nothing and both teams having goals chalked off by the flag of the linesman. Nairn were building into the game and playing some good football but Turriff gave as good as they got and indeed could have snatched the lead when an errant Ryan Fyffe pass across the 18yd box was intercepted by Smith but with only MacLean to beat the striker dragged his shot wide.

That miss proved expensive for Turriff as Nairn struck twice within the space of a minute to grab the lead before halftime. First Sam Gordon beat his man wide on the right and his cross found its way to CONOR GETHINS who does not miss from that range and it was 1-0.

Before Turriff had a chance to recover, we grabbed another. This time it was Glenn Main turning provider, with his low driven cross from the left being rapped into the back of the net by SEAMUS MCCONAGHY to leave Turriff shocked as they made their way in for the break.

Turriff started well in the Second Half with Smith spurning two huge chances on 51mins. First he shot into the side netting from close in, then a moment later he rounded Dylan MacLean but rushed his shot with the goal gaping and Nairn survived.

Again County punished Turriffs generosity as Seamus McConaghy swung in a dangerous cross from the right and CONOR GETHINS pounched, cushioning home a perfect volley beyond Dey and putting Nairn 3 to the good. McConaghy was growing in confidence and influence in this half as shown a moment later when he smacked a drive off the bar from fully 30yds.

A fourth goal wasn't long in coming though. Sam Gordon tormented his man on the right, beating him twice before the defender chopped down the Nairn winger. Tom MacLennan stepped up to take the free kick and a moment later it was in the Turriff net courtesy of a close range header from the hat-trick man CONOR GETHINS 0-4.

However the prolific predator CONOR GETHINS was not finished yet. On 75 minutes he cut inside Jamie Chalmers at the back and left Keeper Dey grasping at air with the most beautiful left-foot lob you will see this side in this or any other game(0-5). Conor was then replaced on 78mins to terrific applause from the travelling Nairn faithful.

On 88mins ANGUS DEY rounded off a great day for County striking his first goal for the club since October 6th 2018 by coolly drawing the keeper and slotting home a pinpoint finish for Nairns 6th on a day when it all finally clicked for Nairn.

There were some excellent performances throughout the team today. The standout performance was of course the County Legend which is Conor Gethins, but there were also fantastic performances from the marauding Sam Gordon, the persistence of McConaghy and the excellent Callum Ednie who locked the door at the back with a series of good tackles and commanding headers whilst keeping his distribution simple and effective.

With Ronnie Sharps biggest win since his return as Manager safely pocketed, its onto Buckie in midweek for more League action before we finally return to Station Park next week for our home fixture against Keith.