On Wednesday, September 16 we were at home to Nairn County in the semi-final of the Menzies Distribution N.O.S Cup.
The heavens unfortunately opened prior to kick-off and this proved pivotal to the outcome of the match. With the ground now squidgy and the ball wet, quality football wasn’t on offer for the brave souls who witnessed this game.
With both sets of players struggling with the conditions, many just couldn’t keep their feet and ended up skidding all over Mosset Park – better studs required.
Lee Fraser did make the starting line-up, which was a great surprise considering he was stretchered off in our previous game and it was he who had the first real chance to score but his shot flew well wide. Nairn then had a header come back off the post before Liam Baxter was put clear through one–on–one with only the Nairn keeper, Antell, to beat but he shot straight at the keeper. Fraser then headed also straight at Antell when he should have scored and they went into at half-time 0-0.
These missed chances proved to be costly and they came back to haunt us as Forres keeper Stuart Knight made a hash of an up and under cross to let the wet ball slip out of his grasp and Conor Gethins gleefully accepted the gift to slot home. A header from Ross Macpherson then went well wide as we tried to get the equaliser but this was our last chance and we had to go home with our spirits as damp as our shirts as we lost 1-0.
Nairn will now play Wick Academy in the final.
On Saturday, September 19 we made the short trip to Lossiemouth for the first of our away double header, we are back there next weekend (Sat 26th) for the Scottish Cup first round tie. Again a threadbare squad due to injuries and suspension was all we had, so much so that even assistant manager Charlie Brown was listed as a substitute.
With Lossiemouth having a decent recent run of good form lately then a tough and tight affair was expected this time compared to our early visit in the season but this didn’t happen and Forres ran out 2-0 winners with a double from Liam Baxter. His first an early goal as he shot into the bottom corner and then scoring late on with a breakaway goal, racing through and lobbing the Lossiemouth goalkeeper – cue wild celebrations and a very welcome 3 points.
A word of praise though must go to Fraser Forbes, he doesn’t get much game time these days but started this time due to our injury crisis and it must have been one of his best games in a Forres shirt, a constant menace with his pace on either wing, he looked right up for the fight, he even did his fair share of defensive duties and tackling too – surely a starter now for the repeat game next weekend.