Nairn County beat Clach to reach semis as Fort William hit back to beat Rothes
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NAIRN County came out on top in the long-awaited derby against Clach last night (Wednesday) to book a weekend semi with Turriff United in the Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup.
Their fine 2-1 win at Grant Street Park in Inverness followed three weather-induced call-offs, with the latest one only on Monday.
The Merkinchers were boosted by the return to the side of keeper John Campbell and striker, former Nairn and Deveronvale hitman, Stuart Leslie.
The visitors were bolstered by the return of ex-Ross County defender Sean Webb, while John Cameron made the bench after coming back from a loan spell at Fort William.
Nairn began the better of the teams and Sam Urquhart went close with an early effort.
Their pressure paid off on 14 minutes when Robbie Duncanson crashed the ball past Campbell in style after an assist from Adam Naismith.
The goal which ultimately settled the tie came courtesy of a free-kick won by Urquhart, who was brought down on the breakaway by Leslie, who was booked for the challenge.
As he's been known to do for years, Conor Gethins stepped up and guided a terrific set-piece into the top corner of the net to the delight of the Nairn fans.
Campell ensured the match didn't run away from Clach before the break when he pulled off a good save from a Duncanson shot.
At the other end, Gordon Morrison, who had come on for Keith Mason, drew a decent stop from keeper Calum Antell.
Gethins had a goal ruled offside and flashed an effort wide of goal as Nairn went in for the killm at the end of the first half.
Clach far from gave up the ghost and pushed their rivals all the way in the second half.
Alan Pollock saw his shot cleared off the goal-line before they got it back to 2-1 just after the hour mark thanks to defender Ryan Macdonald.
Leslie almost drew the tie level on two occasions, the first when his shot was saved by Antell then another effort came back off the post.
However, Nairn County held on and can look forward to hosting Turriff in Saturday's semi-final, with the winners playing Brora Rangers or holders Cove Rangers in the final.
Clach, meanwhile, will return to league action when they travel to Fraserburgh on Saturday.
Deveronvale's match with Forres Mechanics was called off because of a waterlogged pitch but three other Highland League ties did go ahead.
There was delight at last for Fort William as they struck back from a goal down to beat rock-bottom Rothes 3-1 at Claggan Park.
The Speysiders have only one point from 26 games, while this was second-bottom Fort's third victory of the campaign and their second triumph over their visitors.
Rothes were impressive in the first half, closing Fort down all over the pitch and showing a menacing side in attack and they took the lead on 32 minutes when Jamie Mackay supplied a cool finish.
Perhaps a half-time jolt from manager Ally Ewen sparked the West Highlanders into life and they were level eight minutes into the second half when Liam Taylor headed home a cross from defender Robert Smith.
Fort had the bit between their teeth and with 20 minutes to go their hard work yielded a second goal when Michael Ellis netted from close range after being picked out by Darren Quigg.
The icing on the cake for Fort came late on when Scott Davidson finished off a smart move involving Taylor and Quigg once more.
Fort host Huntly on Saturday and the Black and Golds moved five points clear of them last night with a fine 3-1 win home against Lossiemouth to leapfrog Strathspey Thistle into 15th spot, who crashed 4-1 at home to Keith.
Saturday's fixtures, Breedon Aggregates Highland League Cup semi-finals: Brora Rangers v Cove Rangers, Nairn County v Turriff United; Highland League: Fort William v Huntly, Fraserburgh v Clach, Keith v Formartine United, Rothes v Forres Mechanics, Strathspey Thistle v Deveronvale, Wick Academy v Inverurie Locos.
