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In the Inverness and District U-21 league, Ross County had a comfortable victory over Nairn County with Gary Nicol scoring a hat-trick.
Nicol struck twice in the first twenty minutes, the first being a vicious shot on the turn, and the second was a good finish following a fine crossfield pass from Roy McBain.
Ten minutes later it was almost three when a great cross from Steven MacKay found David Ross but his header was brilliantly saved by the Nairn keeper.
Just before half time it was 3-0 when a Nairn defender turned a shot from David Ross past his own 'keeper.
Ross County continued to dominate in the second half. A good run from Steven MacKay saw him set up his namesake David and his thunderous shot produced another great save for the Nairn keeper.
Minutes later Connor Campbell made it 4-0 when he was quick to follow up when the keeper blocked a David Ross shot.
This was immediately followed by a goal at the other end when a Nairn corner was not properly cleared.
Just before the end Gary Nicol headed home a Steven MacKay corner kick to make it 5-1 and complete his hat-trick.
Ross County: Gary Hamilton; Michael McInnes, Steven Edwards, David MacKay, Roy MacBain, David Ross, Allan Lees, Brian MacLeod, Steven MacKay, Gary Nicol and Connor Campbell. Subs (all used): Gary Ewing, Brian Dlugonski and Ryan Witkowski.
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A combination of inspired goalkeeping and many missed chances deprived Ross County of what should have been a convincing victory. The first half was one way traffic towards the Nairn goal as County tried to repeat the early-season victory over the Wee County.
Kevin Finlayson was prominent early on and he twice set up Michael Geraghty who had two efforts: the first was blocked, then shortly afterwards he shot past.
In 20 minutes a Martin Canning header from a corner was cleared off the line only for Steve Ferguson to hit the rebound past.
Then a run down the left by Steve MacKay saw him reach the byeline, and from his cutback Gary Nicol’s shot was blocked by Nairn’s keeper Wood, who was having an inspired match.
County continued to press and further chances saw Ryan Witkowski have a shot blocked and then Steve MacKay brought a fine save out of Wood.
In 40 minutes Kevin Finlayson went through himself only for Wood to make another fine save, and from the resulting corner Martin Canning’s powerful header was again cleared off the line.
Nairn’s goal was leading a charmed life and when John McGlashan beat the offside trap and his pass found Steve MacKay’s and his shot was diverted past by Wood’s foot.
As half time approached Wood again denied Michael Geraghty and Steve Ferguson, whilst in a rare break for Nairn, MacLean shot past after a defensive slip.
The second half followed a similar pattern with County failing to convert to their chances. Wood continued to be a hero and brought off excellent saves from Gary Nicol, Steve Ferguson and Steve MacKay.
Ross County’s pressure eventually paid off in 75 minutes when Nairn failed to clear a corner, and Michael Geraghty was on hand to fire it home.
Michael Geraghty almost made it two ten minutes later but was denied by the post.
Shortly after this in one their few attacks Nairn equalised when a County keeper Barry Thompson’s attempted pass went straight to Maclean and he gratefully accepted the gift.
County’s near misses continued right to the end when Ryan Rutherford and Steve MacKay both shot past.
Nairn held out for a 1-1 scoreline which on chances created, Ross County could scarcely believe.
Ross County: Barry Thompson, Ryan Witkowski, Steven Edwards, Martin Canning, Peter Cormack, Kevin Finlayson, Steven Ferguson, John McGlashan, Steven MacKay, Michael Geraghty and Gary Nicoll. Subs (all used): Ryan Rutherford, Gary Ewing and Bryan Dlugonski
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