Inverurie Locos
4
And it had all started so well for Les Fridge's side who took the lead after 20 minutes when Wayne Mackintosh knocked home a Shaun Kerr cut back. But goals either side of the break from Danny Milne and Craig Ross swung the balance of power in favour of the visitors and they did not look back as went on to record a convincing 4-1 win to get their league championship challenge off to the perfect start.
County boss Fridge restored Martin MacDonald to the heart of the defence as he changed to a 4-5-1 formation. Brian Macleod returned to the starting line up after missing out last week through suspension and he replaced Billy Horne - who wasn't even on the bench - while Steven Edwards came in to add more bite to the midfield at the expense of flair player Gregg Main.
Locos were the first team to threaten when Richie Singer did well to find some space on the left but he sent his shot high over the crossbar.
Then his midfield partner Mark Smith went even closer after 11 minutes but the former Elgin City man sent his low effort just wide of the right post.
Shaun Kerr's tireless work up front brought about County's first sight of goal when he chased down a lost cause to win the ball before feeding Willie Barron but Locos goalkeeper Andy Reid dived at the feet of the Nairn captain to smother.
It was end-to-end stuff by this stage and Locos wide man Singer robbed Martin MacDonald of possession and fired in a goal bound shot only for it to be deflected wide.
In the 20th minute "Bobo" made amends when he broke up a Locos attack and made for the halfway line, picking out Duncan Jones on the right. He in turn played a fine ball down the line for Kerr who held it up then drew out the goalkeeper before squaring for the waiting Wayne Mackintosh who couldn't miss from four yards out to put County one up.
But Locos hit back on the half-hour mark when Neil MacDonald conceded a free kick near the touchline. Neil Gauld sent in a wicked cross which the home defence made a hash of clearing allowing the ball to break to Danny Milne eight yards out and he drilled a low shot beyond John Campbell to level things.
It was now backs-to-the-walls from the home side as Locos mounted attack after attack but Nairn held firm as the half time whistle sounded. (H-T 1-1).
Locos were first out of the traps in the second half and it didn't take long for them to get in front. Singer sent in a deep cross to the Nairn back post where Craig Ross was on hand to send his header past Campbell after 48 minutes.
Nairn's Gary Black then had a half chance to haul the home side back on level terms but the former Forres and Clach defender sent his shot wide of the target.
Locos were using their wide men to full effect stretching Nairn and it was no surprise when they increased their lead in the 71st minute. Singer rounded Neil MacDonald and was promptly brought down by the former Ross County full back to hand the visitors a penalty which Neil Gauld netted, sending Campbell the wrong way to put Dave Cormie's men 3-1 up.
Nairn sent on Scott Graham for Kerr to try and salvage something out of the game but it was to no effect as Locos looked comfortable with everything the home side threw at them.
Inverurie used the long diagonal ball time and time again but Nairn failed to act on it and it paid off again in the final minute when sub Gary Nicol was on hand to head home the visitors' fourth goal of the afternoon to round off the win. (F-T 1-4).
Goals scored: 1
Shots on target: 2
Shots off target: 4
Corners won: 0
Offsides against: 4
Fouls conceded: 10
Woodwork hit: 0
Yellow cards: 2
Red cards: 0
Goals scored: 4
Shots on target: 7
Shots off target: 7
Corners won: 4
Offsides against: 6
Fouls conceded: 20
Woodwork hit: 0
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
1)John Campbell: 7
2)Neil MacDonald: 5
18)Stephen Skinner: 6
17)Steven Edwards: 6
5)Martin MacDonald: 6
6)Wayne Mackintosh: 7
7)Willie Barron: 6
12)Duncan Jones: 4
[22)Gregg Main 54]: 3 y67
9)Shaun Kerr: 5
[15)Scott Graham 77]: 1
10)Gary Black: 5 y31
[8)Jonathan Holland 84]: 1
11)Brian Macleod: 6
Subs Unused:
14)Andrea Coletto
16)Darren Jarvie
1)Andy Reid: 7
2)Steven Park: 7
3)Scott Buchan: 7
4)Tommy Wilson: 7
5)Mark Simpson: 8
6)Craig Ross: 8
[12)Neil Murray 83]: 1
7)Richie Singer: 8
8)Mark Smith: 7
9)Danny Milne: 7
[14)Andrew Bisset 63]: 3
10)Neil Gauld: 8
[16)Gary Nicol 84]: 2
11)Neil McLean: 7
Subs Unused:
15)Ross McWilliam
17)Ally Graham