Post-Match Reaction: Second Half Domination Paid Off
A narrow home win over Brora Rangers saw Nairn County collect their first three points of the month as Les Fridge's side attempt to add as many to their overall tally with a run of home games to the end of the season.
It the ideal way for County to respond to their 5-1 defeat at Inverurie Locos in the semi final of the Highland League Cup which means that league places are all that Nairn have left to play for. And it would have been easy for County to go into their shell but the team deserve credit for a battling
Although the boss was disappointed with his side's showing in the first half, he was pleased with the way they adapted to a half time tactical change which put more emphasis on attacking in the final third.
Shaun Kerr was the man who was the difference between the two teams as his diving header on 78 minutes was the only goal of the game.
Speaking to Nairn County FC Online today, the manager stated: "Brora made things difficult but I thought in the first half we were very poor. We changed things around at half time though and I then thought we totally dominated the second half.
"We were in control of the game and scored a good goal. In fact, we probably should have scored a couple more.
"Brora's two best chances came in the first half from our mistakes. The only problems they caused us in the second half were from long range efforts or from set pieces."
He added: "Our goal came from a great cross by Marc MacDonald and it was a great run by Shaun Kerr to get across the defender and score a brave header. We probably should have added to that
Marc MacDonald has proved to be something of a valuable asset to Fridge of late. The 22-year-old returned to the club from a loan spell at Strathspey Thistle ahead of schedule in February and has now set up the winning goal in County's last two victories after cross for Lewis MacKinnon's winner at Inverurie a fortnight ago. "The more games Marc gets the more confidence I think he will get," added Fridge. "He was out at Strathspey but I don't think he was really getting that much out of it. But he has come back here and is starting to look more like himself."
Top scorer Kerr was back on the score sheet after only managing one goal in the previous eight games - something of a famine by the prolific striker's own high standards. Fridge said: "Shaun has got himself into a couple of great positions over the last few weeks but it wasn't quite going for him. He deserved his goal last night though and as a striker, you have got to be able to handle missing chances because you are not going to score everything.
"A centre forward is all about goals and confidence. Shaun has had a couple of chances recently which didn't come off for him but last night he managed to get on the score sheet with a brave header."
County now look forward to hosting Wick Academy at Station Park. The Scorries are currently the top-placed North FA side in the Highland League table - a position Nairn are desperate to claim from them before the end of the season. And this match could go a long way to deciding whether or not that happens as County look to avenge their 3-0 defeat at Harmsworth Park in November. Fridge pointed out: "Wick are probably the in-form team in the league at the moment. They are very difficult to beat, especially up there. But I don't think the home advantage will come into on Saturday because of the amount of confidence Wick are playing with just now. It will be a very difficult game for us. I don't think there are any doubts about that."
There are doubts however, over the availability of Lewis MacKinnon who played through the pain barrier last night and Scott Nicholl, who may have work commitments. Glenn Main and Wayne Mackintosh look set to return to the squad but Scott Graham, Gary Black and Chris Finnigan continue to miss out.