Showfield fear factor can help Nairn St Ninian return to winning ways
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MANAGER Mike Hendry believes Nairn St Ninian’s home ground puts “the fear” in visiting teams – and is aiming to capitalise on Saturday.
The Showfield will host Colony Park with the teams pegged level on 11 points in the lower half of the North Junior Superleague.
Unbeaten at home this season in the league, Hendry – back at the club since August – is hoping for recovery after a poor 3–0 defeat away to Montrose Roselea.
He said: “Something I always stress to the players is that if we can get results at home it makes a huge difference in the Superleague.
“The way I see it is, these teams have got the fear coming to the Showfield.
“We try to make it as difficult for them as possible and, over the years I’ve been at the club, I don’t think anyone has liked coming here to play us.
“If they take a point going to the Showfield, they look at it as a positive one. It’s a mentality that I like to set. Any team coming to us knows they will have to work really hard to get a result.”
St Ninian’s aim this season is to avoid relegation and build for next season, with Hendry anticipating a far more level playing field next year should Banks O’Dee gain promotion to the Highland League.
He stressed: “If we can finish anywhere around the mid-table, I’ll be delighted. We’re just looking to bring in players and build for next year.
“Hopefully Banks O’Dee will be out of the league next year and then every team in the league can have a shot at it.
“At some time or another, we’ve beaten every team. Yes, there’s clubs that spend a lot more money than us, but I wouldn’t fear anyone else. We don’t fear Banks O’Dee but they are streets ahead.”
Colony Park present a decent test for the Nairn side and Hendry added: “They had a good result at the weekend, beating Dyce, so their tails will be up, but it is up to us to assert ourselves in the game. They are no mugs, but we will be going all out to try and win the game.”
Hendry is still without Jason Duncan, Charlie Fonweban and Jack MacLean and is hoping several others declare themselves fit and available having travelled to Montrose last week without any of four centre halves.
