Post-Match Reaction: Point Was Merited
Nairn County ended their Highland League season with a share of the spoils after playing out a 0-0 draw with Buckie Thistle at Station Park.
On the face of it, the result appears like a low-key end of season affair. But County manager Les Fridge feels his side deserved more credit for taking a point off one of the league's top sides.
Speaking to Nairn County FC Online, he said: "We have taken a point off Buckie who are sitting in fifth spot in the league so we deserve credit for that. A lot of people seem to be playing it down which is a
Fridge switched a 3-5-2 formation as he begins the process of planning for the new season. He explained: "It was the last game at the end of the season and we were missing Stephen Skinner, who was suspended. I just thought that with the personnel I had, I would try something different."
In the second half, captain Willie Barron was moved back into the unfamiliar role of sweeper. The boss added: "Willie Barron went in at the back in the second half because David Hind had to come off at half time because he had a slight pull. The thinking behind it was to combat the pace of (Buckie striker) Martin Charlesworth and I thought he did very well back there."
After the match, the Nairn County FC Player of the Year awards were presented. Midfielder Gregg Main claimed the Players' Player of the
Top scorer Shaun Kerr scooped the Supporters' Player of the Year award. Fridge added: "Shaun has 20 goals this season and you cannot knock that at any level of football. He's sitting up the top of the league goal scoring charts although there's obviously a couple of games left to go. He has had a very good season but he also scored 17 goals last season even though he missed quite a bit of last season. He scores a lot of good goals and he scores a lot of important goals for us as well. He's obviously a very popular choice with the supporters and I would have to say it's thoroughly deserved as well."
Completing the winners is Stephen Skinner, who was awarded the Young Player of the Year award. The manager stated: "I think Stephen Skinner has had a very solid second year with us. Over the past few games he has had to play at right back and he has this way of marauding forward and causing a lot of problems for the opposition. Again, he is a player who sets his mind to something and is switched on then he is excellent. He is also a very good passer of the ball, reads the game well and is obviously a big strong lad. Again, he is justly the Young Player of the Year."