Post Match Reaction: Manager Pleased With Improvement
A home draw with Huntly ensured that Nairn County halted their recent run of results to pick up their first Highland League point since before the turn of the year.
The hosts took a first half lead when Gregg Main made amends for last week's own goal at Clach by banging one home at the right end. County probed for a second goal after half time but the next goal in the game went the way of the visitors as Nairn were pushed for their one and only defensive lapse of the afternoon.
The gaffer said: "I think it must have been quite an enteraining game to watch because it was end to end stuff. I was looking for a reaction to the defeat last week because that performance simply was not good enough but I think we got that reaction today.
"I Know Huntly had a couple of spells where they put us under pressure and John Campbell made a couple of great saves which kept us in the game. But we also had our chances and created a lot especially on the break where I thought we were getting a lot of joy. We also defended well. We close things down on the edge of our own box and were matching their runs."
The unfortunate Duncan Jones was at fault for the Huntly equaliser but was otherwise impressive playing at sweeper.
Fridge said: "I feel sorry for Duncan because he had a great game. But he had a wee fresh air swipe that linked to the goal and was probably Huntly's easiest chance. Then he made a great run at the other end
He added: "I was looking for a reaction though and I think it is fair to say that we got it."
Main's strike was only his second goal of the season but he has spent most of this campaign playing in a wide midfield position. But for this match, he was moved back in to a central role.
Fridge said: "It was a great finish. He played a nice one-two to make the chance and it was a terrific shot from the edge of the box."
Main's move was not the only positional change to Fridge's line up for this one.
He said: "We worked on a few things during the week because last week simply was not good enough and I was not happy obviously. I made three changes to the starting line up and six chances in total including positional changes and it worked for us.We looked a lot more solid and compact and pressed the game high up the park. We expected to come under pressure in times as you do in every game but we also had chances to win it."
This result gives the side a platform to build on going into next week's derby clash at Forres Mechanics' Mosset Park. County have a decent record against their near neighbours from Forres but the manager was taking nothing for granted.
He said: "There's never any easy games. First and foremost I was concerned with today after last week because that performance was not like us at all. This season we have been compact and not conceding goals so last week we looked a shawdow of ourselves. But I think we got a big reaction today and that says a lot for the character of the players."
Fridge's squad is two lighter for the rest of the season after strikers Iain Brooks and Jason Robertson moved on loan to local junior sides during the week.
Fridge said: "Iain Brooks is going to Strathspey. We haven't been able to see Iain all season because of his work commitments and it's the same with Jason Robertson, who we haven't seen since pre-season because of work commitments. So we have put them both out - one to Strathspey and one to Nairn St Ninian - and it gives them the chance to get a bit of football when they are available and we'll get them back in pre-season and take it from there."
The club have also been linked with adding a new face to the ranks in the form of transfer-listed Forres Mechanics defender Gary Black.
Fridge revealed: "I have made an enquiry about Gary. I was interested in him last year when he ended up going to Forres and we will wait and see what happens. There nothing certain or concrete at the moment."