Cup Final Build-Up: Nairn's Previous Finals
The build-up to Grand Slam September Part Three: The North of Scotland Cup Final continues here at Nairn County FC Online as we take a look back at the two previous finals of the competition this decade that have included County.
The countdown to the big day started yesterday when we brought you an exclusive in-depth interview with manager Les Fridge ahead of his third final in the Station Park hot seat. Now we take a trip down memory lane to County's 2005 success against Forres Mechanics and the 2006 final defeat to Ross County.
On one of the greatest days for the club in living memory, The Can Cans were simply blown away by Nairn's exhuberance. In the Group Stages of the competition, County were drawn with Fort William and Inverness CT. They got the campaign underway with a 1-0 victory at Fort's Claggan Park with Steven Sanderson netting the goal before Duncan Jones' free kick saw off Inverness at Station Park to set up a semi final
Any doubts that Les Fridge's side will be lacking the hunger needed to win on Sunday can be cast aside as only three of the players who started the 2005 final remain at the club. In that final, an open game swung from end to end in the opening stages before County grabbed the crucial opening goal. Willie Barron's darting run down the right was ended by Lewis MacKinnon's scything tackle. Referee Stuart Logan pointed to the spot and David MacRae converted from 12 yards to put County in front.
The lead was doubled just on half time as Martin Sanderson swept home after the Forres defence failed to clear a Duncan Jones free kick. And the result was all but secured five minutes after the break when Tony Low raced down the left, slipped in MacRae and the now Buckie Thistle midfielder did the rest with a calm finish past Forres goalkeeper Martin Rae. Justin Rodgers pulled one back for Forres but the damage had been down and County held on to win their first trophy for 28 years amid wild celebrations.
County begun their defence on the title with a trip to face Elgin City in the second round of the 2005-06 competition after receiving a bye through the first round as holders. Martin Sanderson grabbed the opening goal on an August night at Borough Briggs before a sensational Darren Shallicker overhead kick doubled the visitors' advantage. The Third Division outfit pulled a goal back in the early stages of the second half through Ewen Mellis but County re-established their two-goal lead after Steven Mackay had been red carded for the hosts when Tony Low's shot was spilled by goalkeeper Stuart Knight and sub David MacRae was on hand to rifle home the rebound. WIllie Barron then rounded off the scoring to complete a 4-1 win and set up a semi final date with Inverness CT.
A fine display at the Caledonain Stadium against a strong Inverness side featuring several first team regulars ensured County's progress to the final as Shallicker slid home the only goal of the game at the back post from Duncan Jones' deep cross.
The final was to end in tears for County though. After Ross County refused to play on the originally scheduled date after claiming not to have enough backroom staff to cover their First Division commitments and the final on the same day, Nairn were forced into the awkward situation of playing the match on a Sunday several months later. It was a game that felt lost before a ball had been kicked as Ross County fielded several first team players who had played the previous day and who otherwise would not have been available had to game been played on the original date. The was an air of inevitability about the whole occasion as it failed to reach the heights of the rollercoaster match 12 months previously with the First Division club having too much in their locker for the plucky Highland League outfit. Daniel Moore gave the Dingwall side the lead after they had dominated the opening stages and Sean Webb's strike five minutes before the interval left Nairn with a mountain to climb. Fridge went with three up front after the break but County never looked like getting back into the game. Jason Crooks wrapped up a 3-0 win for Ross County from the penalty spot two minutes before full time.
As this year's final draws ever closer, the County faithful will be hoping for a repeat of the 2005 occasion, not to have old wounds from the soured 2006 final re-opened.