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17/08/08
Post-Match Reaction: Fridge Glad To Move Off The Mark
The first three points of Nairn County's Highland League season were earned yesterday as they put Fort William to the sword at Claggan Park.
After losing their opening fixture to Inverurie Locos, it was crucial for the visitors to get their league campaign up and running with three points against perennial strugglers Fort William in a month where cup competitions dominate the fixture list. But a five-goal blitz from Les Fridge's men ensured there was to be no upset as County claimed all three points.
Forward Scott Graham got the scoring underway when he netted after 10 minutes of his first appearance at Claggan Park since leaving Fort William to join Nairn last summer. Gary Black's first half double then put the result all but beyond doubt before the interval and any lingering hopes of a dramatic Fort William comeback were extinguished when Jonathan Holland continued his rich vein of scoring form by grabbing Nairn's fourth goal only three minutes into the second half. A fine afternoon's work was rounded off late on when defender Billy Horne netted Nairn's fifth goal of the day and his first since joining the club in the summer.
Fridge was obviously delighted to the first points of the season on the board. He said: "To be honest I thought we started the game sluggishly. I'm not sure if that was the journey down or not, but we didn't look ourselves. When we got the first goal, it seemed to settle us down and we went from strength to strength. It was 3-0 at half time and we scored another two after the break but it could have been more."
The manager added: "We got the first and a quick second and third with Gary Black getting the second with a header and third with a close finish. So going in 3-0 up at half time we were quite comfortable and we looked a lot more like ourselves in the second half. We looked quite comfortable.
"Four of the five goals were really well worked goals with four or five passes in the build up, a delivery and a finish. it was good to 
Billy Horne: Scored his first Nairn goal in the win over Fort William
have Gary Black on the score sheet with two and Jonathan Holland scored his third goal in four games so overall, it was pleasing. It's nice to get three points and to do it in the manner we did. It also means two clean sheets within a week."
Nairn have a free week next Saturday due to the second round of the Challenge Cup taking place giving them ample time to prepare for their North of Scotland Cup semi final clash with Rothes at Station Park on Tuesday August 26, kick off 7.30 pm.
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