Post Match Reaction: Second Round Awaits for Nairn
A comfortable 4-1 victory at Rothes in the first round of this year's Scottish Cup secured Les Fridge's men a place in Tuesday afternoon's draw for the second round of the competition. The last time County reached that stage of the tournament they recorded one of their finest Scottish Cup victories as they defeated Meadowbank Thistle away from home in a replay in season 1985-86.
Nairn clearly looked up for it from the off at MacKesack Park and they performed like a side eager to put 22 years of Scottish Cup hurt as well as last week's poor performance against Clachnacuddin
Willie Barron gave the visitors the perfect start when he fired home the club's first Scottish Cup goal since Davie Penman's winner in that Meadowbank game. But County took the foot of the pedal before the break and Rothes had one great chance to get back on level terms minutes before half time. The second half was a different story altogether though as Nairn stamped their authority all over the match with the only down point coming when Rothes pulled a goal back after the impressive Wayne Mackintosh and the hard working Chris Finnigan had put Fridge's side three goals to the good. County had the perfect response though as Gregg Main - who was making his first start of the season - went up the other end of the park and duly added a fourth Nairn goal almost instantaneously.
Boss Les Fridge spoke exclusively to the site about yesterday's game. He said: "We pressed the game really well and I think it was up there on par alongside the Keith game in the Challenge Cup - where we were beaten after extra time - as our best display so far this season.
Midfielder Wayne Mackintosh's goal was his second in as many games and his display over the 75 minutes that he was on the park was enough to earn him the man of the match award.
Fridge said: "Wayne did really well and worked extremely hard in the middle of the park. He also got the goal his performance deserved and so did Gregg Main. I thought he was excellent and he was rewarded by getting the fourth goal."
The manager added: "Willie Barron's goal got us off to a good start and I thought Chris Finnigan was persistent and kept at it to get the third goal of the game. I also felt that Martin Sanderson was excellent at the back."
There was a bit of a surprise for the travelling support in County's team selection as top scorer Shaun Kerr was left on the bench along with midfield man Darren Jarvie. Both players had started every competitive game this season before Saturday.
Fridge explained: "Shaun Kerr had a bereavement in the family through the week so had not been able to make training all week. But I still thought it was important for him to get back among the boys and be in the squad as soon as possible."
Saturday's win puts Nairn into the hat for the draw for the next round which takes place on Tuesday afternoon at the ground of East of Scotland side Annan Athletic. County could be pitted against any of the winners of the weekend's ties, the five non-league clubs who received a bye, any club from the Third Division or clubs who finished in the bottom half of last season's Second Division of the Scottish Football League.
Fridge said: "It would be nice to get a home draw but the most important thing is to be in the hat for the draw. It has been 22 years since the club has reached this stage of the competition so just being in it is the main thing."