League · HFL
Nairn County4–1Forres Mechanics
Lineups
Nairn County
Forres Mechanics
Nairn County · Starting XI
Forres Mechanics · Starting XI
- Not recorded
Nairn County · Substitutes
Forres Mechanics · Substitutes
- Not recorded
Nairn County · Substitutions
- Not recorded
Forres Mechanics · Substitutions
- Not recorded
Nairn County · Manager
Forres Mechanics · Manager
- Not recorded
Match report
Nairn remain undefeated in 2003 and continue their streak of 6 games without a loss. An understrength County took to the field in today's derby with Forres. 6 first team regulars, including key players Holmes and Kellacher, were missing through a combination of injury and suspension but this didn't deter Nairn as the players who came in did a lot better than they were expected. Barron's surging run's looked to be County's main source of attack early on as he created 2 half chances for himself on the back of a run. The next time he prised open the Mechanics…Read moreRead less
Nairn remain undefeated in 2003 and continue their streak of 6 games without a loss. An understrength County took to the field in today's derby with Forres. 6 first team regulars, including key players Holmes and Kellacher, were missing through a combination of injury and suspension but this didn't deter Nairn as the players who came in did a lot better than they were expected.
Barron's surging run's looked to be County's main source of attack early on as he created 2 half chances for himself on the back of a run. The next time he prised open the Mechanics defence he squared the ball across the face of the goal to Sanderson but unfortunately the ball was just behind him and this forced him to spoon it over the bar.
The next time Sanderson was presented with such a chance he didn't make the same mistake. Brooks made a great run right through the middle of the Forres defence but after his shot was saved well by McRitchie it sat up perfectly for Sanderson to acrobatically put the ball into the gapping net. Forres should of equalized only minutes later but somehow Charlie Brown failed to hit the target when through on goal and this miss led to ironic cheers from the large and vocal home support. Barron made sure Nairn took a deserved 2 goal lead into the break when he made a good run down the left before cutting in and keeping his cool before slotting the ball under McRitchie and into the net.
The second half started with both sides looking to control the game from the middle of the park and as Nairn slowly gained the upper hand they also got the goal their good play deserved. When a Farquhar free kick from the right met Brooks' head and flew towards the keepers bottom right there was only going to be one outcome as the Highland League Select player made it 3 on 62 minutes.
He then completed his brace 9 minutes later, again with his head but this time from a corner from the left. He met it at the front post and bulleted the ball goalwards giving McRitchie between the Forres sticks no chance. The goalkeeper obviously didn't take too kindly to be beaten twice by Brooks as when Brooks looked to round him on the edge of the box and complete his hat trick he clearly fouled him before needlessly kicking him in the back. The referee missed this but fortunately the linesman didn't and informed the man in the middle of the keepers actions. The ref then sent McRitchie for an early bath and with Forres having no sub keeper former Nairn striker Gary Ross took on the responsibilty of goalkeeper.
The free kick that followed was unorthadoxly saved by Ross as he scrambled across his line before blocking it with an outstretched leg. Nairn then introduced young striker Marc Macdonald for his debut and he made an immediate impact by winning a free kick on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece was fired across by Farquhar but Brooks was unlucky with the header and Ewing was also unlucky with the follow up effort. Forres did score a late consilation when Neil Whyte headed home a Franny More cross from the right.
Nairn gaffer Ronnie Sharp will be very pleased with his teams performance in this tough derby match but not only to win it but to win it well is a great achievement. Steven Edwards will return from suspension next week and this will surely give Sharp a selection headache as everyone who was involved today is more than capable of being a regular.
Barron's surging run's looked to be County's main source of attack early on as he created 2 half chances for himself on the back of a run. The next time he prised open the Mechanics defence he squared the ball across the face of the goal to Sanderson but unfortunately the ball was just behind him and this forced him to spoon it over the bar.
The next time Sanderson was presented with such a chance he didn't make the same mistake. Brooks made a great run right through the middle of the Forres defence but after his shot was saved well by McRitchie it sat up perfectly for Sanderson to acrobatically put the ball into the gapping net. Forres should of equalized only minutes later but somehow Charlie Brown failed to hit the target when through on goal and this miss led to ironic cheers from the large and vocal home support. Barron made sure Nairn took a deserved 2 goal lead into the break when he made a good run down the left before cutting in and keeping his cool before slotting the ball under McRitchie and into the net.
The second half started with both sides looking to control the game from the middle of the park and as Nairn slowly gained the upper hand they also got the goal their good play deserved. When a Farquhar free kick from the right met Brooks' head and flew towards the keepers bottom right there was only going to be one outcome as the Highland League Select player made it 3 on 62 minutes.
He then completed his brace 9 minutes later, again with his head but this time from a corner from the left. He met it at the front post and bulleted the ball goalwards giving McRitchie between the Forres sticks no chance. The goalkeeper obviously didn't take too kindly to be beaten twice by Brooks as when Brooks looked to round him on the edge of the box and complete his hat trick he clearly fouled him before needlessly kicking him in the back. The referee missed this but fortunately the linesman didn't and informed the man in the middle of the keepers actions. The ref then sent McRitchie for an early bath and with Forres having no sub keeper former Nairn striker Gary Ross took on the responsibilty of goalkeeper.
The free kick that followed was unorthadoxly saved by Ross as he scrambled across his line before blocking it with an outstretched leg. Nairn then introduced young striker Marc Macdonald for his debut and he made an immediate impact by winning a free kick on the edge of the box. The resulting set piece was fired across by Farquhar but Brooks was unlucky with the header and Ewing was also unlucky with the follow up effort. Forres did score a late consilation when Neil Whyte headed home a Franny More cross from the right.
Nairn gaffer Ronnie Sharp will be very pleased with his teams performance in this tough derby match but not only to win it but to win it well is a great achievement. Steven Edwards will return from suspension next week and this will surely give Sharp a selection headache as everyone who was involved today is more than capable of being a regular.