Post Match Reaction: Boss Feels Sending Off Was Costly
Second Division side Ross County ended Nairn's hopes of progressing in the North of Scotland Cup with a 4-1 win over Les Fridge's men at Dingwall. It was always going to be a tough ask for the Highland League club and it became almost mission impossible when Brian Macleod was sent off on the half hour mark after conceding a penalty which led to the second Ross County goal. Ten-man Nairn then conceded a further two goals as Dick Campbell's side threatened to run riot but a stout and valiant effort after the break by the visitors kept the scoreline respectable.
"The first goal was a wonder strike and the second was a penalty but I thought if we had kept 11 men on the park we were still in with a wee chance. But at 4-0 at half time, it was basically damage limitation for us in the second half. So we set our stall out and I thought the boys worked really hard. They put in a great shift and scored a goal which was another positive for Shaun Kerr who has now got six goals in four games for us."
He added: "I said to them at half time that we at least wanted something out of the 45 minutes of the second half and we got it because they put in a real shift and you have got to bear in mind the quality of the team we were playing against."
Fridge opted to play Steven Edwards in the centre of midfield and the big man caused the hosts all sorts of problems all night.
"The sending off was two bookings and his first booking was very stupid and it has been very costly to us."
County withdrew Duncan Jones at half time after the former Clach man appeared to be struggling towards the end of the half. He has started the season in good form, excelling in the more advanced midfield position where he is now playing. Fridge said: "Duncan has had a couple of knocks during pre-season and in the earlier games so it was one of them ones where there was no point in risking it.
"We brought on Glenn Main and in the end we also brought on Scotty Graham and Marc MacDonald so we were able to give the younger boys a run out as well."
Nairn now go on to play Rothes on league duty on Saturday at Station Park where they will be looking to build on their previous success at Fort William in the league. But Fridge was concerned about the effects the effort put in by the players at Dingwall will have on them come Saturday. He said: "It will be a worry. The effort and attitude of the players in the second half was magnificent and if we can take that into our own league on a regular basis then we will do very well. I just hope that tonight hasn't taken too much out of us for Saturday."