Post-Match Reaction: We Are Giving Away Cheap Goals
Nairn County were downed at Mosset Park on Saturday as Forres Mechanics ran out 2-1 winners in the local derby thanks to Ryan Green's goal seven minutes from time.
Both of the Mechanics' goals were similar in that Nairn goalkeeper Callum Donaldson saved the original effort only for a Forres player to react first and be on hand to turn home the rebound.
The home side took the lead when Ricky Wardrop netted from a couple of yards after Donaldson had brilliantly tipped Scott Moore's thunderbolt onto the crossbar.
But it was Forres who claimed a late winner when Donaldson blocked Wardrop's shot only for the towering Green to nod home the rebound at the back.
Les Fridge spoke to Nairn County FC Online after the match and was disappointed in the manner his side have been conceding goals having looked solid in defence at the start of the season.
Speaking about the match, he said: "I thought we battled away well enough. We lost two poor goals which seems to be the way it has been going over the past few weeks. We started the season well and were defending really well. But now we seem to be giving away cheap goals.
"But in fairness, I think there was an element of good fortune about both of their goals. The first one especially when the ball came back off the crossbar and their boy reacted a lot quicker than we did. The
A tactical change after the Forres opener saw Nairn dictate play a lot more and they got their reward with the penalty equaliser. The manager added: "We changed things about and got ourselves back in the game and pushed on. For a spell it looked like if there was going to be a winner then it would be us. But we got caught with a sucker punch a wee bit for the second goal.
"It was one of those games where we were more or less cancelling each other out. We created a few chances and they had a few chances themselves. We also had to make personnel changes throughout the game with boys coming off with knocks and injuries. But it was one of those games where it didn't go for us - it's that simple."
County deployed former Forres man MacKinnon in defence to help cope with the threat of Green in the air. Fridge commented: "We knew Ryan would be up there for them and we tried to put Scotty Graham up front for us because with his pace we thought he could cause them a bit of a problem. Ryan is their major threat and proved that by scoring the second goal.
"It is disappointing after having such a good start to the season that for one reason or another, it just seems to have lapsed recently."
County have been linked with moves for a number of new players in recent weeks including Sam Mackay of Brora Rangers, former striker Darren Shallicker, Clachnacuddin's Blair Lawrie and unattached defender Sean Webb. Brora midfielder Mackay - who has been capped by Scotland at schoolboy and semi-pro level - is on the Dudgeon Park transfer list at his own request. Clach were last week given permission to discuss terms with the 19-year-old and Fridge revealed: "It is something we are looking into and we'll just have to take it from there."
Elgin City target man Shallicker spent the 2006-07 season at Nairn before his move to Borough Briggs. Now though, the 34-year-old Englishman is said to want out following the departure of manager Robbie Williamson. Fridge added: "Again, it is another rumour I have heard but whether or not there is any truth in it, I don't know. So for the moment, we'll just have to wait and see."