Post-Match Reaction: Boss Says Win Was Deserved
A 2-0 win over Fort William at Station Park saw Nairn County return to winning ways for the first time in almost three months.
Manager Les Fridge was pleased to get the three points on board after it looked like Fort William were going to hold out for an unlikely point for long spells of the game.
County eventually broke the deadlock when Lewis MacKinnon tapped home from a couple of yards on 82 minutes after a scramble in the Fort six-yard box.
Fridge felt his side were deserving winners despite toiling in front of goal for long spells. He said: "Fair play to Fort William because I thought they defended really well. If they continue to play like that then they will definitely pck up points.
"It was one of those days for us. I think they're goalkeeper had an excellent game, we hit the bar, hit the post and had one cleared off the line. I was thinking, is it going to be one of those days."
He added: "We also had to watch that we didn't have any complacency creeping in or we would get caught on the break."
MacKinnon's goal and assist made him a stand out performer for County. Fridge was pleased with the former Buckie man's contribution as well as that of others in the team. "Lewis did well," said Fridge. "But
"Overall, it's three points and a clean sheet so we've got to be happy."
Fort William felt aggrieved that MacKinnon's opener was allowed to stand, arguing that the Nairn number eight was in an offside position when he received the ball. But Fridge disagreed, saying: "I think it was a cut back from the by-line (to set up the goal). Everyone missed it and it went to the back post. Lewis ran it at the back post and knocked it in so it's not as if he's come from an offside position.
"He then put in a great ball and it was a great header (by Barron) for the second."
The result ends a run of five games without a win for Fridge's men. "Our last home game was November 8," he said. "So it's been a strange for us. But it's just nice to get back on the winning trail at the end of the day. As I said, it's three points, a clean sheet and a game that, I would say, we dominated for 80 minutes. It could have been a lot more, but we'll take the two goals."
Fridge will no doubt we hoping that this win can kick-start the rest of the season for his side, who still have nine home games left to play in the league this season. He said: "We can only take care of the games as they come and we'll do that.
We've got a lot of home games between now and the end of the season. Hopefully that will be of benefit to us."
In other news, midfielder Duncan Jones has now left the club. The former Aberdeen youth player joined County in the summer of 2005 and made himself a favourite with the Station Park fans with his knack of scoring spectatular goals from long distance. However, the former Clach man will now join the Police Force and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the 24-year-old has left the club to commence his police training.