Campbell double fires Nairn into semis
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Nairn County boss Les Fridge.
NAIRN County striker Craig Campbell shrugged off an ankle knock to help fire his team into the Foster's League Cup final.
The club's top scorer hit a hat-trick to take his tally to 31 goals this season in Saturday's 4-1 semi-final win at Rothes - despite being crocked in the midweek league victory against Lossiemouth.
It was a comfortable day for Les Fridge's side, although they could have gone behind on 16 minutes as David Hind conceded a penalty when he challenged Stuart Massie in the box.
However, goalkeeper Ally Rigers pulled off a superb penalty save from Kris Duncan to boost the visitors.
On 24 minutes, Nairn grabbed the advantage when Campbell powered a header into the net when he connected with a Gregg Main free-kick.
Nairn were two ahead just after the interval when Steven Mackay gave keeper Ricky Horne no chance with a fine header.
Rothes pulled the tie back to 2-1 through Franny More, but two quickfire goals from Campbell in the closing stages shot Nairn into the final on May 14.
Nairn return to Rothes on Wednesday night on league business, looking for the win which could see them climb into eighth spot.
Fraserburgh will be Nairn's opponents in the cup final after they beat Cove Rangers 1-0 in the other semi-final, Willie West notching the all-important goal for the Broch.
In the Highland League, injury-ravaged Clach crashed 5-1 at Turriff United.
Doubles from Euan Clark and Grant Noble and a goal from Cammy Bowden eased the hosts to victory. Clach's sole reply came from a Gordon Morrison penalty.
Clach were so understrength that they finished the game with four 17-year-olds on the pitch, though boss Iain Polworth said he was pleased with their performances on an otherwise disappointing afternoon.
The Lilywhites are on the road again this Saturday when they go to Inverurie Locos, also in the league.
The most stunning Highland League result of weekend was Brora Rangers winning 3-2 away to leaders Deveronvale.
Brora were 11th before kick-off and this result blasts the championship battle wide open in the closing few weeks.
Fort William gave champions Buckie Thistle a scare at Claggan Park before the Jags ran out 4-1 winners to keep alive their title push, boosted by the events in Banff.
Sean Ellis cracked a stunning 30-yarder past goalkeeper Kevin Main to give Fort the lead on 13 minutes.
However, Buckie blasted back and goals from Martin Charlesworth and Dave MacRae had them leading at half-time.
Buckie forward Ian Murray dashed home hopes when he scored a penalty on 69 minutes before he added gloss to the scoreline in the closing moments.
Having taken on leaders Deveronvale then Buckie in the past week, Fort are on the road to Victoria Park on Wednesday night for another league tussle with the title-chasing Jags. On Saturday, they host Keith.
Vale's defeat means Keith are also still in the hunt for the championship after they ended Forres Mechanics' stunning 14-month unbeaten home run with a 3-0 win at Mosset Park.
The Maroons are three points behind leaders Deveronvale, but the Vale have a superior goal difference.
Wick Academy's management team, Richard Hughes and Ian Munro, announced on Thursday that they are to quit at the end of the season.
On Saturday, they watched their side turn on the style to win 4-1 at Huntly - Academy's first away victory of the season.
In the weekend's only other fixture, Inverurie Locos beat visitors Formartine United 3-2.
