Post-Match Reaction: We Controlled 70% Of The Game
It was a disappointing trip to the capital for Nairn County as they came away from Edinburgh City's Meadowbank home having been eliminated from the Scottish Cup at the first round stage following a 2-0 defeat to the East of Scotland League side.
The scoreline fails to tell the whole story though as County were on top in the opening stages before switching off at a set piece allowing Robbie Ross to head the hosts in front. But the major turning point came when Edinburgh defender Kevin Morrison was sent off for a last man foul on Scott Graham and
Speaking exclusively to Nairn County FC Online after the final whistle, Nairn boss Les Fridge revealed that he felt his side had controlled the vast majority of the tie. Asked if he thought missed chances were costly for his side, the manager said: "I think it was a bit of that but I have just said to the boys in the dressing room that we controlled about 70% of the game.
"We had them (Edinburgh) watched so we knew they were dangerous from set pieces. We missed a penalty after they had the man sent off and I think that just set the tone for our day if the truth be known. But it's just one of those things. They went one up when they hit us on the break and again their second goal was from a set piece and they do have big, strong players. After that they sat in, defended and were happy to clear their lines and that's fair enough."
Fridge added: "It was disappointing from us though and I felt we never
"If we had scored the penalty, it would have made the game all square and obviously we would have been on the front foot. It obviously would have been nice to get back into the game with the penalty but we had enough chances before that to get ourselves in front. We had a couple of good half chances on top of Scotty's one-on-one and the penalty but it was just one of those days for us."
County were without top goal scorer Shaun Kerr and commanding centre half Martin MacDonald for the trip south and having failed to score for the first time in competitive action since April and losing two goals from set pieces, it appears their presence was missed. Fridge said: "We've had a settled team over the past couple of weeks and obviously today we've had to change it about for obvious reason with players not available. But it gave other players the chance to come in and stake a claim. The missing players having been playing regularly for us and doing well. Whether or not they would have made a difference or not today doesn't make any difference now. Like I say, we've had a settled team and had to change it today but that is the whole point in trying to get a squad together so boys can come in and stake a claim."
Asked whether the side may have been suffering something of a hangover after the high of winning a cup final six days before such this match, Fridge said: "They shouldn't have been. We had a good week of training and came down here with everything prepared right. I just think we didn't get going. With the missed penalty and missed chances, it just wasn't to be our day. Their goalie's also had a couple of good saves in the second half and a 2-0 up they sat in and cleared their lines and quite rightly so."
Neil MacDonald was also sent off for County for an outburst towards referee Ross Hammil after already being booked to blot his copybook after coming back into the team and looking solid at right back. Fridge said: "It was a stupid sending off because he shouted at the referee after already being booked so he was always going to go, it's as simple that."
It's s back to league business for Nairn on Saturday with a re-arranged trip to Banff to take on title challengers Deveronvale in what will be another stern test of Fridge's side's credentials. The manager will be looking for his players to bounce back and he said: "We've been on a good run of late but it had to come to an end sooner or later. We're out of the Scottish Cup now which means we have to concentrate more on other things."