| Cove eventually overpower Nairn to return to winning ways |
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In an entertaining game at Rainbow Taxis Park, a strong second-half performance earned Cove all three points as they responded to the disappointment of their midweek Aberdeenshire Shield semi final exit. However, they were made to work hard for it by a Nairn side who twice came from behind to level proceedings. Nairn should have been ahead after just two minutes. A good through-ball by Dale Gillespie released Shaun Kerr down the right, and his low driven ball to the near post was scooped over by Craig Campbell. The visitors were made to rue this miss as Cove took the lead just a minute later. Dean Lawrie's low ball in from the left was flicked on beautifully by Robbie Henderson into the path of Paul Tosh, who ended his goal drought since August with a powerful finish high beyond the reach of Ally Ridgers. Having come out of the traps quickly, Cove were determined to add to their lead, and Kevin Webster's header from another Lawrie cut-back landed on the roof of the net on the 10-minute mark. Nairn came back into proceedings, though strong defending by the home side limited them to mostly long-range efforts. This was not to be the case on 37 minutes though, as a long ball played forward by Campbell picked out a hole in the rearguard, which Shaun Kerr capitalised on to produce a cool finish past the advancing goalkeeper. Ridgers had to be on fine form to prevent Nairn from going behind again just three minutes before the break. A lovely chipped reverse pass by Martin Johnston found the untracked run of Clark Bain and he looked to be picking his spot before Ridgers came out and blocked his effort superbly. Half time: Cove Rangers 1 Nairn County 1 Cove began the second half in a similar way to the first as they took the lead within the first three minutes of the restart - albeit with a big slice of luck. Tosh played in a hopeful cross from the left that was met by the outstretched leg of Martin MacDonald, who wrong-footed Ridgers to hand Cove back the lead. However, Nairn responded brilliantly to the setback, by pegging the home side back with a sublime goal. Good battling play by Campbell saw him evade the challenge of Kevin Tindal, before the former Elgin man teed-up the onrushing Steven MacKay, and his venomous volley gave McKenzie no chance. On 56 minutes, Ridgers once again had to be on top form to deny Cove, as Dean Lawrie's 20 yard free-kick forced him into a save at full stretch. But the visitors could not withstand the pressure that ensued from the resultant corner. Kevin Webster's delivery to the back post saw Martin Johnston rise unchallenged to claim his second goal of the season. The Wee County subsequently came within inches of cancelling out the home side for a third time. Glenn Main's cross from the right was met by the head of Campbell, but his effort flashed just past the post, much to the relief of Stuart McKenzie. The miss was to prove crucial, as Cove grabbed the two-goal cushion for the first time in the match. Lawrie picked out Johnston and after his snapshot was saved by Ridgers. The ball broke for Dean Lawrie though and he sidestepped the challenge of two defenders before slotting beyond the goalkeeper. Nairn missed another gilt-edged chance to pull a goal back and again Campbell was the man who should have done better. After punishing some careless defending by Roddy Black, he was given a free run at goal, but the midfielder slipped his shot agonizingly wide with only McKenzie to beat. Full time: Cove Rangers 4 Nairn County 2 Reporter: Andrew Skinner |
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