Nairn County 2 Lossiemouth 4: Hat-trick hero Ryan Stuart helps Coasters to big cup win
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LOSSIEMOUTH manager Joe Russell hopes his players can take confidence from their stunning 4–2 win over Nairn County in the North of Scotland Cup first round into the Highland League, starting against Inverurie Locos tomorrow.
Lossie stormed back from going 1–0 down from Conor Gethins' strike after 10 minutes to lead 4–1 with Ryan Stuart scoring a hat trick and Ryan Sewell also finding the net.
Gethins scored a second late on for Nairn, but he was sent off with seven minutes remaining along with teammate Max Ewan as they both received second yellow cards during the same incident.
Russell says his team took a lot of criticism after their opening day 5–0 defeat against Buckie Thistle, but he said the cup victory at Nairn was the perfect response.
"I was really proud of the boys and I know that sounds like a cliche," said Russell.
"But they took a lot of stick after Buckie for the way we performed and the way we gave away cheap goals.
"We gave away another cheap goal at Nairn, but the way we came back was absolutely superb and I take my hat off to them.
"It has been a long hard slog, and it is only one game, but this was great.
"They have worked really hard and last season was really hard on everybody, but they kept training and this result is testament to the hard work they put in."
Lossiemouth now face Fort William in the quarter finals next month at Grant Park.
However, they return to league duty tomorrow when they host Inverurie Locos.
Russell says they are taking on one of the league's heavyweights, but Wednesday night's result will put them in confident mood
"Its one game, let's not get carried away, but I really hope so.
"There is a long way to go, that was a cup game, not a league game for three points, but we will take it and move on to the next round.
"Inverurie will be another tough game but the boys will get the energy back in the legs and look to do it again in the league where it counts.
"They can take great confidence in this, they played good football and defended when they had to."
