Fridge was thrilled to pass Locos test - now for Wick trip
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NAIRN County manager Les Fridge reckons seeing off Inverurie Locos was a massive test passed on the opening afternoon of the Highland League season on Saturday.
The former St Mirren, Caley Thistle and Ross County goalkeeper was thrilled to get off the mark with a 1-0 victory against Locos, with Conor Gethins’ goal earning maximum points.
A low-key first half was one to forget but Nairn were much improved in the second period as former Ross County man Gethins again proved his worth to his team.
The forward collected a pass from Robbie Duncanson and guided the ball past goalkeeper Scott Mathieson to secure the victory.
Locos had former ICT and Motherwell star Iain Vigurs on trial for them in a line-up which impressed Fridge.
He said: "Inverurie have a really strong squad. They have quality throughout and they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, so to get the win was great.
"The first half was quite cagey with little between the teams. Inverurie perhaps had slightly more possession but they never tested (Nairn goalkeeper) Calum Antell.
"We were by far the better team in the second half and scored a very good goal with Robbie setting up Conor to do what he does best and that’s score goals.
"We had a 25-minute period of the second half where we played some really good football during which time we scored the goal."
Nairn head to Harmsworth Park this Saturday to face a Wick Academy side which experienced a high then a low last week.
After knocking their rivals Brora Rangers out of the AJG Parcels North of Scotland Cup on penalties, they were brought crashing back to earth as visitors Clach scored a 3-0 win there on Saturday thanks to a Gordon Morrison treble.
Fridge said: "Perhaps a little like us playing Aberdeen last Tuesday, the midweek game took a lot out of Wick but that’s certainly taking nothing away from Clach. For me, that was result of the weekend in the Highland League and Wick will be looking to bounce back, so we will need to be at our best."
Alan Pollock returns from suspension and Bradley Halsman is available again for Nairn, but captain Michael Morrison and Paul Macleod remain suspended for the trip to Wick.
Wayne Mackintosh, Martin MacDonald and Gethins all have knocks which Fridge hopes will clear up in time for Saturday.
