Campbell doubt for semi after Nairn sink Lossie
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Nairn County's Craig Campbell, right, sustained an ankle injury against Lossiemouth on Wednesday night and could be a doubt for Saturday's Fosters Cup semi-final against Rothes.
NAIRN County go into Saturday’s Fosters Cup semi-final with an injury doubt over their top scorer Craig Campbell.
The prolific striker limped off with an ankle knock after half an hour in Nairn’s 2-0 home win against 10-man Lossiemouth on Wednesday.
Lossie’s Steven Ellis and Nairn’s Steven Mackay went close in the lively opening exchanges before defender Steven Sim was shown a red card for elbowing MacKay in an aerial challenge.
The hosts grabbed the lead on 36 minutes when Mackay latched on to a through pass from Glenn Main and steered a terrific low finish into the far corner of the net.
Mackay almost doubled the advantage when his shot came off the post when he connected with Andrew Neill’s cross.
Nairn made sure of the victory on 55 minutes when Robbie Duncanson, who had replaced Campbell in the first half, hit the post and Dale Gillespie swept the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
Les Fridge’s team were on top for most of the second half and only an inspired performance from Lossie goalkeeper Darren McConnachie – and the woodwork – kept the score down.
Nairn’s semi-final opponents Rothes crashed to a 2-0 midweek defeat at home to Forres Mechanics, who look a good bet for finishing fourth this season.
This was sweet revenge for the Can Cans, who were knocked out of the Fosters Cup by Rothes last month.
Fort William scored twice against Highland League favourites Deveronvale on Wednesday night - but the Banff side ran out 4-2 winners.
The Vale were in great form as they now sense the league title could be theirs and Fort keeper John Campbell ensured the winning margin wasn’t wider in this Claggan Park tussle.
Vale got off to a flying start and were ahead after just 60 seconds through Graeme Watt.
Former Hibs keeper Campbell put up a one-man defence for the rest of the first half with some first-class saves and the leaders were only 1-0 ahead at the break.
However, on 49 minutes, a Graeme Rodger free-kick did beat Campbell as it crashed down over the line via the crossbar to give Vale some breathing space.
Rodger then Watt both notched one more goal each in quick succession to give the visitors a 4-0 advantage by 56 minutes.
Fort battled away though and their top scorer Iain Maclennan pulled one back on the hour mark.
Sean Ellis grabbed another goal for Fort with six minutes to go to salvage further pride for the Lochaber lads ahead of title-chasing Buckie’s visit to Claggan this weekend.
Steve Paterson’s Formartine United beat his former employers Huntly 2-0 at Christie Park, while Turriff United and Fraserburgh shared four goals at the Haughs.
