Post-Match Reaction: Missed Chances Costly For Nairn
An inability to convert chances was the reason behind Nairn County drawing their first blank of the summer, according to manager Les Fridge.
The gaffer was speaking after watching his side succumb 1-0 to a youthful Aberdeen XI at Station Park but only after creating numerous goal scoring opportunities and seeing the Dons goalkeeper save a Brian Macleod penalty.
The visitors took an early lead and it proved to be enough to earn the SPL side victory although
Despite the defeat, Fridge was still pleased with his players' performance overall but is looking for the forward men to be more ruthless. And after last season's return of only 44 goals from 28 Highland League matches - the fourth from last record in the final table - it is something the manager will surely be looking to rectify ahead of County's first competitive game of the season, a first round North of Scotland Cup tie against Lossiemouth on July 26.
Fridge said: It was a worthwhile exercise for us and we created a lot of chances. In fact, we probably should have won the game but it was really a case of not taking our chances.
"We missed a first half penalty though and the only thing that was missing was in that final third where we need to start taking our chances more."
He added: "It was a very good Aberdeen side, I have to say. They were playing for their futures and you could tell that. They were young, fit, full-time professionals who moved the ball around really well. They were
The performance of kid gloves John Bateman in the visitors' goal was one of the main reasons Neil Cooper's men were able to come away from Station Park the victors after making a string of fine stops. Fridge added: "Their goalie did very well. He was a young lad who has just been brought up from West Brom and he really kept them in the game to be honest."
Next up for County is a trip to Seafield Park, Grantown on Saturday (kick off 3pm) to take on north juniors Division One outfit Strathspey Thistle as Fridge's men complete their pre-season schedule.