Post-Match Reaction: Fridge Feels Robbed
A daylight robbery was how Nairn County manager Les Fridge described the outcome of his side's clash with Wick Academy on Saturday.
County went into the game at Harmsworth Park looking to bounce back from shipping four goals against Cove Rangers seven days previously. Instead, the visitors came away bewildered after being hit by a late Wick whirlwind as the hosts smashed home three goals only eight minutes towards the end of the game. The 3-0 reverse means that Nairn have now let in seven and netted zero in the two
County had their chances to open the scoring and were twice denied by the woodwork in the second half. Martin MacDonald's towering header came back off the crossbar. And Shaun Kerr couldn't quite adjust his feet quick enough to knock home the rebounded as the ball bounced off the striker's thigh and trickled agonisingly onto the post.
With both sides pushing for the crucial breakthrough late on, it was the hosts who seized the initiative as Richard MacAdie knocked home a Bryan McKiddie cross at the back post on 80 minutes.
And it took only six minutes for Wick to double their lead when MacAdie's cut back was swept home by Gary Weir.
The scoring was completed in the 88th minute when County substitute Steven Edwards knocked the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear.
County boss Les Fridge thought his side had down enough to win the
"We changed it and we pushed three up front and they hit us with two late goals. But it was daylight robbery that we never got anything from the game as we dominated it."
The manager added: "Goals change games and they hit us on the break. But that's football.
"We created plenty of chances and we need to start taking them. We hit the woodwork twice and (Wick goalkeeper) Don MacMillan had five or six good saves in the first half alone."
County are idle this week due to the odd number of teams in the Highland League. They return to action on November 29 when they entertain Brora Rangers at Station Park. But Fridge is hopeful of arranging a bounce match for this Saturday.