Nairn County hold off late fightback from 10-man Clach
Nairn County 2
Clachnacuddin 1
Nairn: Mackenzie (1) Shewan (82) Clach: Miller (86)
NAIRN County gained revenge on Clachnacuddin for their Scottish Cup exit with victory in the Highland League derby.
It took Nairn only 14 seconds to take the lead when Dylan Mackenzie got on the end of Max Ewan’s pass and fired a low drive past Jake Williamson.
Clachnacuddin responded when Alasdair Gillies fired a powerful shot from 25 yards which forced Dylan Mackenzie to tip over the bar.
Clachnacuddin continued to press when Martin Callum intercepted a pass from Adam Naismith and charged towards goal but couldn’t keep his shot down at the edge of the box.
Nairn pushed for a second and Williamson had to produce an outstanding save to prevent Ewan’s shot finding the net.
Nairn kept pushing for a second and Adam Naismith came close when he connected with Mackenzie’s cross 10 yards from goal but blasted his shot wide of the post.
Clachnacuddin started the second half brightly and went close when Gilles’ low drive when inches past the right post.
But defender Martin Macdonald was taken to hospital after he suffered a burst lip during a challenge.
Clach continued to press for the equaliser, Logan beat the offside trap to run on to a pass from Martin Callum but his low drive was blocked by Maclean.
But Nairn doubled their advantage eight minutes from time after Jake Williamson blocked Ciaran Young's shot but Liam Shewan pounced on the rebound to fire home from 12 yards.
Eachainn Miller pulled one back for Clachnacuddin with a close range header but his team couldn't find the equaliser.
James Beeston was sent off in injury time for a lunging tackle on Adam Naismith.
Nairn: Maclean, Ednie, Ramsay, Porritt, Maclean, Main, Ewan, Naismith, Mackenzie (Young 80), McNab, Shewan.
Subs (Unused) MacDonald, Dey, Cuthbert, Gordon, Munro, Kendall.
Clach: Williamson, Mackintosh, Finnis, Webb, MacDonald (Miller 60), Lawrie (64), Callum, Beeston, Logan, Gillies (Ross 74), Sutherland.
Subs (Unused) MacAskill, Ross, McBride, Maclennan