Post-Match Reaction: Fridge Happy With Opening Run Out
Manager Les Fridge declared himself happy with his side's displayed in their first pre-season match despite the game ending in defeat thanks to a late Ross County goal.
The visitors took an early lead against a familiar looking home team - who only made one change from the eleven who took to the field in the final game of last season - when Martin Scott nipped in to beat John Campbell but the set back did not seem to hinder Fridge's men. Indeed, they came roaring back with two goals of their own when firstly Willie Barron raced forward before slotting home to level things
But Fridge refused to be downbeat despite the outcome. After the match he said: "It's our first 90 minutes and overall, as a training exercise and as a fitness exercise I was very pleased. We were playing against a full time professional side and I thought we did tire maybe in the last five or 10 minutes. But in saying that I thought we put a lot of work into the game as well."
The hosts lost an early goal but refused to buckle and be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents. The manager added: "We have a young team and I think that is quite obvious now. But if you can get young players in the right frame of mind,
"I was pleased with our fitness levels as well. For 80 or 85 minutes we were competing with a full time side and most of my boys have done a day's work beforehand as well.
"Overall, I'm very pleased. We scored a couple of goals, created a few chances and passed the ball about so for our first 90 minutes, it's pleasing."
Fridge set his stall out in a 4-5-1 formation for the first half and managed to hit Derek Adams' men on the break to good effect. A half time switch to 4-4-2 allowed the visitors more space in the middle of the park though which allowed their superior fitness and ability to ultimately shine through. Fridge said: "It's pre-season and we had seven subs so we were trying to give everyone at least 20-25 minutes so we did change it about a wee bit.
"I think losing the goal very early on at the start of the second half after they (the Nairn team) were warned at half time was disappointing."
The only alteration to the team from the final game of last season saw forward Scott Graham replaced by Billy Horne, a defender who was making his debut for the club. Fridge said: "He's a young lad but a big, strapping lad. I thought he came in for his debut and did very well."
"Overall though, like I said, it was a nice night, a good, entertaining game to watch and from a fitness point of view as a pre-season exercise we're quite happy."
The manager now has his sights set on County's three remaining pre-season friendlies before the action gets underway for real on with the North of Scotland Cup tie at home to Lossiemouth on Saturday July 26. Fridge said: "We've got Inverness City in a closed doors game on Saturday over at North Kessock and then Aberdeen next Tuesday night and Strathspey the following Saturday.
"The North of Scotland Cup has been brought forward a week this year so obviously we were in early as well but in fairness to the players, they have been working really hard."