Review Of The Year: Nairn County In 2008
It has been a year where Nairn County have suffered badly from one major achillies heel - an inability to convert a higher percentage of their chances created into goals.
Looking back over the last 12 months, it is a case of what might have been for County on several fronts. The undoubted high point was claiming the North of Scotland Cup in September after a series of results where everything clicked into place for Les Fridge's side. But it was an all too rare run as on too many occasions, Nairn have dropped points in games they have dominated and been out-scored
At the start of 2008, Fridge would have been hoping for his team to build on their encouraging start to the season after carrying out major surgery on the squad the previous summer. But there is only one way to describe Nairn County's start to this year - a disaster.
The team had not played for six weeks when they eventually got 2008 underway with a trip to Wick Academy. And Fridge put their poor start down to the weather-inflicted absence. After a poor 90 minutes, the home side emerged victorious after 1-0 win. Brian Macleod was sent off for Nairn.
County returned to Station Park seven days later but were defeated 4-1 by Keith. Duncan Jones grabbed Nairn's first goal of the year with a late penalty. But what followed the next Saturday was probably one of the club's worst results in recent times.
A miserable afternoon at Grant Street Park saw Clach thump Nairn by five goals to nil. And it was the straw that broke the camel's back for Fridge. The manager stated after the game that he would focus more on bringing through and developing young talent.
There was further good news as five players - Willie Barron, Wayne Mackintosh, Steven Edwards, Willie Ridgers and Scott Nicholl - signed contract extensions. But after another poor display at Mosset Park, County were defeated again as Forres Mechanics edged past their local rivals with a single-goal
Fridge then completed his first transfer business of the year as Andrea Coletto returned to the club in February. He was joined by defender Gary Black who was signed from Forres. Meanwhile, strikers Iain Brooks and Jason Robertson - both unavailable because of work - went out on loan to Strathspey Thistle and Nairn St Ninian respectively.
The malaise continued for County when they dropped two points at home against Lossiemouth despite goals from Brian Macleod and Shaun Kerr. Then the side exited the Highland League Cup at the first round stage on the first day of March when they were dumped 2-0 by Cove Rangers at Station Park.
County's first win of 2008 finally arrived on March 5 though. Fort William were the visitors to Station Park and the hosts ran out 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Martin MacDonald, Chris Finnigan, an own goal and Duncan Jones. But it was a win tempered with a touch of what could have been as Nairn created no fewer than 21 scoring chances during the match.
Brora Rangers were the visitors and County took the lead through a Macleod penalty. Kerr then doubled the lead before Brora pulled a goal back. Nairn re-established their two-goal lead though when a stunning Black volley made it 3-1. But the game was turned on its head when goalkeeper John
It was a result and performance that seemed to galvanise the squad and give them their self-belief back. And they took that into their next game when they picked up a deserved share of the spoils away at eventual league champions Cove Rangers. The visitors raced into an early two-goal lead thanks to a Macleod double - one from the penalty spot - but were pegged back by a goal just before half time. The hosts then drew level early on in the second half but Kerr lashed Nairn back in front. Cove grabbed a draw though when they levelled things at three all.
The only setback in this mini end-of-season-renaissance was when Fraserburgh came to Station Park and picked up a 1-0 victory. Fridge's men were back to winning ways on April 26 though when Inverurie Locos were the visitors to Nairn. County collected all three points despite being down to ten-men early on when Darren Jarvie was sent off. Jones and Kerr were the scorers in one of Nairn's most impressive performances of the year.
And on May 3, County rounded off their season with an equally impressive showing at Christie Park when they hit Huntly for three thanks to a Kerr double and Jones free kick. It meant Nairn finished the season in ninth position in the Highland League with a points haul of 40.
Manager Fridge ended the season by signing a new three-year contract. It keeps him tied to County until the summer of 2011.
Transfer business was minimal throughout the summer of 2008. It was a case of one-in and one-out as centre back Martin Sanderson did not have his contract renewed because of work commitments. Meanwhile fellow defender Billy Horne arrived from Inverness CT. John MacAskill and Scott Kellacher also officially left in the summer although neither had kicked a ball for the club for over a year. It meant that Fridge was able to keep a level of consistency about his squad after being forced to spend the summer of 2007 making major changes.