Post-Match Reaction: We Can Have A Great Month - Boss
A Scott Graham goal seven minutes after half time ensured that Nairn County picked up their second successive Highland League win when they took on Rothes at MacKessack Park on Saturday.
After cruising to a 5-0 victory over The Speysiders in the North of Scotland Cup on Tuesday night, this was more of a workmanlike performance from Les Fridge's men as they were forced to grind out the victory. But three points are three points and the boss will no doubt take them anyway they come about.
"We got to half time at 0-0 which we were quite happy with because Rothes had a few decent chances and they are a big, strong, physical side who play to their strengths especially at home.
Fridge added "There were a few harsh words said at half time but I thought we came out and dominated the second half. We squeezed the game up and they only had a couple of half chances from set pieces. We had most of the play and their goalie Stevie Dunn had three or four really good saves that kept the score down and kept them in the game. We got the goal and it was just a case of then getting the three points.
"I said to the boys before the game that this is a very difficult place to come as we already know, it would be a totally different game from Tuesday night and our main aim was to come here and get the three points. We managed that and we've also got another clean sheet. That's four on the bounce now and five out of seven games which is very pleasing."
The long grass at Rothes' MacKessack Park may have been one of the reasons for County struggling to hit top gear in the first half. The manager said: "We said before the game that the grass is longer than we're used to and that the ball would stick and I think you saw that on quite a few occasions. But we're spoilt at the end of the day. Our park is the best park in the league and it's a tremendous surface where we like to zip the ball about and play football.
"But you do have to adapt and that is what football is all about. You've got to adapt to the park and the way the game is going and we had to do that today.
With this month's North of Scotland Cup final looming, Fridge was keen to deal with the league games coming up before the show piece final with Inverness CT. He said: "The cup final is only three weeks away believe it or not. We've got two home games before then against Clach and Keith. They'll be very tough games before the cup final but we've got a lot to look forward to. The next three weeks could be great for the club."