New era underway for Nairn St Ninian as they face Clachnacuddin
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IT will be the dawn of a new era for Nairn St Ninian tomorrow with friendly action against Clach.
As well as being new manager Lee Walker’s first match in charge, the Showfield Park squad has undergone huge summer surgery.
After last season’s third bottom finish in the North Superleague, Walker and assistant Duncan Boyle set about making 17 new signings, drastically reducing the squad average age.
Walker, previously a Highland League performer with Nairn County, Lossiemouth, Clach and Rothes, has ended seven years as Caley Thistle youth coach to embrace the challenge.
After three weeks of pre-season training, they are itching to get started.
“Clach will give me and Duncan a real gauge of where we actually are as a team,” he said. “Jordan MacDonald has assembled a very good young squad. I’d imagine Clach will potentially be breaking into the top six this year with great additions in Gary Warren, Paul Brindle and Donald Morrison.
“It is all about getting good minutes in and working on our tactics, which are going to be a bit different to previous seasons.
“We’re going to try and retain the ball, get it down and play when we can. We will be direct when we have to, but the boys want to play a bit of football. That’s my philosophy as well.
“We know we are going to be underdogs in most games as the standard in our league is frightening. We’ve just seen Hermes beat Highland League Inverurie Locos.
“I’ve not set any real targets, but we want to cement our place in this division and then look to improve year-on-year.”
Enjoyment will be a big theme.
“When I first came in they were saying they hadn’t enjoyed the last couple of seasons, with Covid one of the reasons,” he said. “We’ve assembled a really good group of lads who’ve been working hard, but the main thing is they are enjoying it.”
