Post-Match Reaction: County Net 10 In Friendly Win
A 10-goal salvo ensured that Nairn County put their recent league woes behind them when they visited amateur side Ardersier for a friendly match.
The match was arranged to enable manager Les Fridge to give his fringe and suspended players some game time as well as to keep up the match sharpness of the first team regulars. And after failing to score in their last two games, County racked up an impressive 10-0 victory.
The home side are no pushovers though and play in the top division of the Inverness and District
Callum Donaldson continued between the posts for County behind a back four of Callum Riddell, Stephen Skinner, Paul Macleod and Darren Jarvie. Glenn Main, Gregg Main, Gary Black - who is currently serving a suspension - and Andrea Coletto made up the midfield. Shaun Kerr was partnered in attack by Lewis MacKinnon.
Kerr grabbed two goals in the first 45 minutes while new signing MacKinnon also netted. Black and Gregg Main also found the net to complete the first half scoring. County came close to adding a sixth first half goal but Andrea Coletto's effort hit the post.
The one-way traffic continued after the interval as Kerr added a further three goals to his tally. MacKinnon grabbed another one to complete his brace and there was still time left for Riddell to net his first goal in County colours.
Fridge was satisfied with the run out when he spoke to exclusively
The manager also paid tribute to Ardersier for agreeing to play the game. "Ardersier are playing in the winter league just now so they are playing regular football," he said. "We played them last year and I have to say thank you to Mikey Dock and his boys for agreeing to play us again today. It's hard enough trying to find someone who is not playing themselves at this stage of the season. I was delighted that they were able to take on the game. It was a great run out for us and something that we needed to keep us ticking over."
Despite their success of the front pairing of Kerr and MacKinnon in this game, the manager would not confirm whether or not the pair will start together when Nairn return to league action next week. He said: "It (the Kerr/MacKinnon partnership) was obviously something I had a wee look at as Scotty Graham was missing because he picked up a knock. I was giving some of the younger boys and boys who haven't played recently a run out. Boys like Darren Jarvie, Paul Macleod, Callum Riddell and Andy Coletto, and I also decided to stick Lewis up front with Shaun.
"I was delighted with both of their contributions. As I say, it is nice to hit the net so from that point of view, it was a good work out. But there was also some good passing moves and it wasn't all about the goals. All in all, it was a good day's work for us."
It was a memorable day for young defenders Macleod and Riddell. Both players made their first starts since being promoted to the first team squad in the summer. And Riddell even managed to mark the occasion by getting on the score sheet. Fridge said: "They've been involved with the squad and come on in friendlies before. Both of them got on when we played the Blackwatch and Strathspey Thistle butt they started and finished the game today.
"It's a learning process for them and they are going to have to try and be patient. If they can come into the team in these sort of games and do well then it all bodes well for them playing in the Highland League."
Defender Scott Nicholl also returned to the squad after a lengthy absence. The full back has not managed a single appearance this season and only made one off the bench during the last campaign. The manager was pleased to have the former Ross County and Clach man back in the fold. He added: "Scotty Nicholl is back and came on for about the last half an hour. It's good to see him back and because he was out for most of last year with an injury. He's had part injury, part work commitments this year but hopefully that's him back for good now."
Nairn will be looking to take this form into next week when the action gets back underway for real. Brora Rangers are the visitors to Station Park as County look to bounce back from two consecutive league defeats.
Nairn County - Callum Donaldson; Callum Riddell, Stephen Skinner, Paul Macleod, Darren Jarvie; Glenn Main, Gary Black, Gregg Main, Andrea Coletto; Shaun Kerr, Lewis MacKinnon.
Substitutes (all used) - Brian Macleod, Duncan Jones, Billy Horne, Scott Nicholl, Wayne Mackintosh.