MATCH REPORTS

V NAIRN ST NINIAN 15 NOVEMBER 2008

by Duncan McKenzie - 21:42 on 18 November 2008

Scotscoup Division 2

Inverness City 1 Nairn St Ninians 4

Team: Kerr, D. Beaton, J. MacDonald, J. Fraser (P. Beaton 44), K. Fraser, K. Mason (C. Mason 65), Stewart (Miller 57), Pearce, Bannerman, Sanderson, McCraw. Subs: P. Beaton, Miller, C. Mason, McNiven

NAIRN TOO STRONG FOR INCONSISTENT CITY

INVERNESS City struck another inconsistent chord at the weekend as Nairn St Ninians waltzed to a comfortable three points at the Northern Meeting Park.

After the hitting the high notes last weekend with the 8-2 thrashing of RAF Lossiemouth the home side's performance was more than a little flat this time around.
 

City co-manager Mike Pollard cited a lack of appetite as the main reason for his side's capitulation on Saturday.

He said: "After last weekend's performance we are bitterly disappointed. We need to have a long hard look at ourselves after this result.
 

"It is crucial we sort out the inconsistencies which have plagued our season so far and try and get ourselves back on track. Nairn looked like they wanted it more and the best team won at the end of the day."
 

He added: "We are looking forward to next weekend's home match against Bishopmill. Hopefully we can put things right and see a more consistent performance."
 

City started well enough with Stevie Sanderson carving out the first real chance of the game, but despite gathering the ball inside the area he could not direct his shot on target.
 

Two minutes later Stuart Pearce could have given City the lead after latching onto a Sanderson through ball. He beat one man before rifling the ball just wide of the top right corner.
 

Graeme Stewart tried his luck from long range on the 17 minute mark, but despite beating the keeper the ball crashed into the side netting. Pearce was involved again just past the half hour mark sending Andy Bannerman in on goal, but the City winger could not direct his effort on target.
 

Despite their early chances City were made to pay for failing to capitalise and Nairn opened the scoring in 42 minutes. The home defence were caught ball watching inside the area and the Nairn striker had all the time in the world to fire low past Michael Kerr.
 

A clever shot on the turn from Sanderson in 53 minutes produced an excellent parry from the Nairn keeper, but there was noone there for City to pounce on the rebound.
 

City conceded a needless free kick four minutes later and from the resultant set piece Nairn added a second. The ball was floated in, Kerr flapped and the ball was poked into the empty net.
 

Co-managers Pollard and Stevie Graham threw wing wizard Gary Miller on to try and inject some pace into the City attack and in 61 minutes he almost pulled one back with a stinging drive which the keeper did well to turn over.
 

But City would not be denied two minutes later when a thunderous Bannerman shot ricocheted off the junction of post and bar before flashing across the face of goal. Miller turned the ball back towards the danger area and McCraw reacted fastest to score.
 

Pearce's shot on the turn in 85 minutes produced another quality stop from the Nairn keeper and City were denied the equaliser.
 

City committed all their players forward in search of an equaliser, but left themselves exposed at the back and paid the price twice in the closing stages, losing two more goals.
 

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