Post Match Reaction: Hard Fought Win In Last Home Game
Ten-man Nairn County survived late waves of Inverurie pressure to pick up another three points as they aim to finish the season on as much of a high as possible.
The hosts made the brighter start and created several clear cut opportunities before being reduced to ten men when Darren Jarvie was sent off for a last man foul, County's fifth red card in as many games. Having already shuffled the pack after an early injury to Martin Sanderson, Les Fridge was again forced into some on-the-spot tinkering and dropped captain Willie Barron back into an unusual left
The Locos grew increasing desperate as the game wore on and threw on two attackers for two defenders before eventually halving the deficit through Ross McWilliam's strike. But Nairn's defence held strong as the home side collected all three points in their final home game of the season.
Minutes after the full time whistle, home boss Les Fridge spoke to Nairn County FC Online. He said: "We're making a habit of going down to ten men just now. But Darren was the last man and had to go. it was just one of those things and we're not making life easy for ourselves as we
"I can't fault my players today though. At this stage of the season, people say there is nothing to play for but obviously that is not the way it looked with our boys. I can't fault their attitude, commitment and effort that they put in today. We were well organised and very difficult to break down because we knew we were going to be under a lot of pressure in the second half and it was obvious that we would tire a bit playing against a very good Inverurie side with ten men. But to perform the way we did and get the three points in our last home game of the season is a tremendous result."
County took 41 minutes to open the scoring when Shaun Kerr grabbed his 15th goal of the season with another predatory finish that the home support have come to expect from the former Clach man.
Fridge said: "It was a great run by Wayne to set up the goal and a great finish by Shaun. But I was giving him stick at half time for missing the earlier chance which was easier. He just opened his body up when he was three or four yards out and missed it. That is not like him but he has been ill with that bug that's been going about so we can't be too hard on him. He is a goalscorer and it was a typical goal from him with a great finish from inside the box."
Kerr's goal was added to by first half substitute Duncan Jones who slammed home a 22-yard free kick 20 minutes after coming on to replaced the injured Martin Sanderson.
Fridge said: "We all know Duncan has got that in the locker. It was a fight between him and East (Gregg Main) over who was going to take it but fair play to Duncan because it was a great finish."
Sanderson's injury brought about a premature end to his Nairn County career as he moves on in the summer after three-and-a-half years at Station Park.
Fridge revealed: "Martin moved through to Aberdeen last summer and has been commuting back and fore to play for us this season and obviously that is very difficult for him. He now intends to go self-employed in his job so he won't have much time to play football or do anything else for that matter. There is also the chance that he could be moving down to Edinburgh. But he has been a great servant to the club and i would like to say a big thank you to him on behalf of the chairman, the directors of football and everyone else for all his service to the club."
Fridge added: "He has done very well and been very consistant for us, playing in the majority of games. Unfortunately though its a bit like the Iain Brooks scenario where he is starting a new job and not looking to football as much anymore. But we will keep an eye on him and see how he gets on and if his circumstances change we'd be quite happy to have him back."
Next Saturday, Fridge takes his side to Huntly for their final match of the season where at least a point would see them finish above Clachnacuddin in the final league standings. And if the team can show the same passion and hunger as they did in this match, there is every chance of them getting something from the visit to Christie Park.
Fridge said: "I have always said, we are looking to get as many points as possible now and get ourselves as high up the league as possible. That is still our aim. With our performance today and the attitude you wouldn't think there was only two games to go and that this was the end of the season. It is good to see the boys responding like that."
Meanwhile, following the match the club's player of the year presentations took place. Brian Macleod collected the Supporters' Player of the Year award while the Players' Player of the Year prize was presented to Wayne Mackintosh. His midfield colleague Gregg Main collected the Young Player of the Year accolade and Calum Riddell, who has sat on the bench in the first team this season, picked up the Under 19 Player of the Year trophy.