County setback compounds poor festive period for Cans

Nairn County 1 Forres Mechanics 0

It was a frustrating festive period for the Mechanics with both their home games being postponed as Mosset Park is suffering from waterlogging once more while their away day at Nairn on December the 29th proved to be a disappointing one.

When these two sides met on the same ground in the North Cup semi both scored within the opening two minutes and the trend for early goals continued although this time it was only the Wee County who notched.

With barely 100 seconds on the clock former Ross County striker Conor Gethins struck a shot which rattled off the crossbar and as it came down into the penalty area it was Andrew Neill who was quickest to react and he duly fired the loose ball home.

Having got their noses in front Nairn looked to keep things tight across the middle of the park relying on Gethins or Robbie Duncanson to produce a moment of magic. This was to lead to a pretty stodgy affair with chances at a premium.

Set pieces often provided an opportunity to let fly and Conor Gethins went close again when he fired a 22 yarder just over the crossbar. The same player, who currently tops the scoring charts, then had the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag gave the Can Can fans a reason to cheer ironically.

Ryan Green’s game was cut short by a knee injury and that lead to the introduction of former Nairn County man Duncan Jones, who was listed as a trialist by the Mechanics. In the 53rd minute it was his turn to try his luck with a free kick but the 32 yard effort was well saved by Calum Donaldson.

The set piece trend continued as five minutes later Stuart Knight made another fine save from a Connor Gethins free kick. Then the Mechanics nearly took advantage from a counter attack following yet another free kick. This one was played into the area after Jordan Main’s foul but Ross Macpherson cleared up field to Craig McGovern who drove forward and fired just over the bar from 20 yards.

Sub John Cameron could have given Nairn a two goal cushion with a little over a quarter of an hour to go but he headed a Robbie Duncanson cross over the bar from 6 yards but it was Forres who were looking the team hungrier for a goal.

Graham Fraser drove forward and cut in from the right before unleashing a shot towards the top corner from ten yards out, but the keeper did brilliantly to palm it over the bar. Despite a flurry of corners Forres couldn’t find a away through with Craig McGovern stabbed a shot wide of the goal after a deep Graham Fraser cross had reached the left

Forres have now slipped back to 6th place on 27 points, although just one point covers the five teams from 6th to 10th in the current league table. This weekend they head for Keith, who are a point behind the Mechanics with a game in hand.

Nairn County: C Donaldson, S Webb, M Morrison, M Macdonald, W Mackintosh (S Ellis 73), C Gethins, G Main, A Neill, D Watson, R Duncanson (J Cameron 69), G Main Subs: P Macleod, R Naismith, C Macmillan

Scorer: A Neill (2)

Booked: - Sent off: -

Forres Mechanics: S Knight, G Fraser, J Main (M Davidson 87), G Grant, S Fraser, R Macpherson, S Allan, S Lawrie, R Green, K Scott, C McGovern Subs: D Jones, A Howard, R Mackintosh, S McIntosh

Scorer: -

Booked: J Main (62) Sent Off: -

Referee: G Fraser

Gazette Gold Star: Graham Fraser (not the referee) was, once again, one of the most dangerous players in the final third as well as putting in a solid defensive display. He seems to be raising his game even further on a weekly basis.