Post Match Reaction: Boss Unhappy with Stenny Goals
Nairn County's second game of pre-season saw them ship five goals to Scottish Third Division side Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on Saturday, although the score line was possibly a little harsh on Nairn. The visitors again showed a lot of heart and worked hard but couldn't manage to find the net from their six attempts at goal while fatal mistakes at the back cost them five goals in the end.
After the game, County boss Les Fridge was frustrated at the goals his side had conceded. He said: "I thought we played a lot better than we did on Tuesday night (against Livingston). It was our second 90 minutes but we are making valuable mistakes - mistakes that cost us when we play against better teams. When we play against these higher up teams we can't afford to make mistakes but we conceded five goals and four of them were from set pieces with one coming from a corner and three from free-kicks around the box. We gave them too much time and space on the edge of the box and they punished us with free kicks but you expect that from a higher league team.
"The second and third goal just before half time were from bad mistakes and I can't legislate for people going on the park and making a bad mistake that costs us a goal. I thought in the second half we had long spells where we dominated and their goalie had a couple of good saves. We put them under pressure and we won a lot of corners but then we went and switched off at a free-kick. For the last goal as well they took the free kick quickly and we were switched off and that is probably the most disappointing thing."
He added: "I can't fault the work rate and as I said, we played a lot better than we did on Tuesday and give credit because Livingston are a very good side. But take nothing away from Stenhousemuir as well. They were at a higher level and are just that wee bit sharper and clinical but I do think it was a very good exercise for us and our shape in the second half was very good."
Although officially a friendly, there was an edge to the game with no fewer than 37 fouls being committed throughout the match keeping whistler Craig Charleston busy. Fridge moved defender Steven Edwards into midfield for the second half and that gave County more of an intimidating prescence against a very strong and physical Stenhousemuir side. The manager said: "They had a big boy number 10 (Thomas Murdoch) who caused us problems in the first half and got on the end of everything so we decided to change it about a bit. It gave as bit more balance in the second half and our shape was good.
"In the second half I think they only managed to get something like two corners and three free-kicks and Callum (Donaldson) had one save while in the first half we were under a lot more pressure. Again, like Tuesday, we played a lot better in the second half and we worked really hard but mistakes at this level will cost us."
Fridge included Nairn St Ninian player of the year Glenn Main in their squad and he made a second half appearance from the bench as a trialist. The former County youth team player has won the player of the year award in both of the last two season for the Showfield side and was their top scorer last year. Fridge said: "He did very well last year at Saints and was their player of the year last year. We invited him along today and he got 20 minutes and we'll see what we'll do with regards to that."
The match took play on the artificial surface at Ochilview and despite controversy surrounding Dunfermline's previous plastic pitch in the SPL, Fridge had no complaints about Stenhousemuir's version. He said: "We had spells where we were knocking the ball about and because it's nice and flat it suited us. It also seems to be quite true with bounces. It was a new experience for our boys because it was something different to play at a Scottish league ground on the new artificial turf.
"I think it would make a lot of sense to have it in the Highland League. You could play all games on it and Stenhousemuir even rent it out and train on it as well. It's very low maintenance once you have it so I don't see any reason why not - if it is good enough for the Scottish League it should be good enough for the Highland League as well."
Fridge's opposite number Campbell Money - a former team-mate of the Nairn boss from their time at St Mirren - explained how he is attempting to use the new surface to his advantage. Of the 11 Stenhousemuir players who started Saturday's match, only one remained from last season - and he only signed on at Ochilview in January. Money said: "It didn't really suit our players last year so we have brought in players with a bit more pace because we need that on this pitch and I'm hoping that will stand us in good stead as the season goes.
"Nairn were missing a few boys today and that would be a big hit to anybody but I think they did well in the second half without really threatening us if truth be told."