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Strathspey Thistle Under 13's 0 V 1 Fort William Under 13's
After their last 2 fixtures being postponed Fort William under 13s played only their second fixture in the Moray Firth League. The first period proved to be a midfield battle where late replacements from the under 12 team Shaun Leider and Thomas Kennedy both played well. There weren’t too many clear cut chances although Lewis Morrison had a chance near the end of the period which was saved by the home keeper. The second period saw a reshuffle with the Fort formation and this led to some sustained pressure. Both teams then had disallowed goals, Shane Gillies of Fort William for offside and Strathspey for a foul on the Gary MacKay the Fort keeper. The home team then hit the bar. The 3rd period saw Rhuaridh MacInnes take over between the sticks. There were chances at both ends but just as the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw and with 3 minutes to go it suddenly burst into life. Lewis Morrison, now playing in defence was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the box and was harshly sent off. Nothing came from the free kick but within a minute good work from Thomas Kennedy on the right let to a cross where Arran Sandison was at hand to shoot past the home keeper to seal a narrow win with only a minute left on the clock. The boys can be pleased with a good all round performance with Fraser Cameron and Lachlan Veitch worthy of a mention for solid work in defence.
Squad:- Gary Mackay, James MacDermott, Lachlan Veitch, Jason MacGillivray, Thomas Kennedy, Bruce MacLean, Shaun Leider, Shane Gillies, Fraser Cameron, Lewis Morrison, Arran Sandison and Rhuaridh MacInnes
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Buckie U13's V Fort William Under 13's
Fort William under 13s took the long journey to Buckie in their first match of the Moray Firth Development League. The Fort got off to great start with Bruce MacLean getting on to the end of Shane Gillies cross to open the scoring in 5 mins. This lead didnt last long as 3 minutes later Buckie were level after a thunderbolt shot beat Gary MacKay in goals. Buckie with a strong wind at their backs pressed and scored 2 quick goals, a dubious penalty and then a defensive error let the Buckie forward in. The second of 3 half hour segments saw the Fort with the wind advantage put pressure on the home team and a cut back from Gillies landed at the feet of captain Alexander MacMillan who made no mistake to reduce the leeway to one goal. The final segment saw the Fort territorial advantage rewarded when Fraser Cameron steered the ball past the keeper to make the score 3-3.Fort had a few chances to clinch a winner including Lewis Morrison shot off the bar but there was no more scoring. This was a great result after such a long journey and the boys did themselves and the club proud.
Squad :- G MacKay, R Bell, E MacQueen, J MacDermid, F Cameron, L Morrison, A MacMillan, L Veitch, S Gillies, A Sandison, B MacLean and M MacLeod
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Strathspey Thistle Under 15's 1 V 7 Fort William Under 15's
This turned out to be a most enjoyable day out for the U-15 squad despite late changes to their squad due to an illness that swept through the 3rd Year pupils in the high school.
On Thursday the team knew they were already going to be missing their influential captain Kieron Lopez due to him having picked up a strain of Swine Flu.
A squad of 16 was selected to make the trip East and by Sunday Morning only 9 of this squad were still available for the journey.
The team was set out with the older regular players Andrew MacLean,Cameron Grant, Cameron Melrose, Arran MacPhee and Dejan Watson in the middle of the park and from kick off they took a hold on the game and that set the tone for the entire 90 minutes.
This enabled the young inexperienced defence to find their feet without too much pressure on them and debutant Lewis MacLean, Calum MacDonald, who was making his first start and Jordan MacPhee playing sweeper for the first time, all had excellent games, easily coping with any attacks that broke through the midfield.
It was wave after wave of Fort William attacks during the first third and by the turn around they were 3-1 up through strikes from Andrew MacLean (2) and Ailean MacLellan.
The second period was a bit more even and the only goal of the period was scored when the dominant Cameron Grant hit a screamer from 30 yards into the roof of Strathspeys net.
Despite tiring badly and being unable to make many changes due to the lack of numbers the third period was all one way traffic as Fort William made it seven with another from Ailean MacLellan and two more from Cameron Grant.
If there was a tinge of disappointment to the day it was that the man of the match Kieron Voicey never got a goal that his performance deserved. He lead the line superbly and took numerous knocks from his older and taller opponents but he never shirked a challenge and he had a hand in almost every goal by holding up the play and bringing his midfielders into the game, it was a very mature performance from someone so young.
Special thanks is due to young Alexander Cameron for coming in at late notice after only one training session and doing a fantastic job filling in all over the midfield when required.
Will the improving Bradley Cameron ever get a clean sheet ?
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Alness Under 15's 1 V 5 Fort William Under 15's
Fort William made the journey to Alness and having travelled through a torrential downpour were delighted to find a fine dry day and the playing surface in immaculate condition.
After a fortnight with no training due to the school holidays and the long journey Fort William started very slowly and had Bradley Cameron to thank for not going behind when he was very sharp of his line to block at the on rushing forwards feet. After that scare Fort William eventually started to gain control with Arran MacPhee dominating in the middle of the park along with Craig Cameron and Martin Munro who were playing in new positions quickly finding their feet.
It was Arran who eventually broke the deadlock when his shot from 20 yards flew into the roof of the net after some nice link up play. Despite some excellent possession Fort William never managed to increase their lead in the first period.
With a change of formation in the 2nd period with Connor MacRae and Connor Wilson, moving to full back positions and within 5 minutes they were both involved in 2 fantastic team goals.The first after 2 minutes when MacRae won the ball deep in his own half and drove forward at pace, Craig Cameron and Martin Munro both dragged their markers out of position with excellent off the ball movement allowing Connor a huge hole to run into, as he reached the Alness box he cut inside the Alness full back and screamed it into the bottom corner from 18 yards, no one seemed more surprised as it hit the net as Connor !!
Connor barely had time to catch his breath before he started what will undoubtedly be goal of the season. He won the ball on the left half way line and coolly played it back to Keiron Lopez who switched play quickly to right back Connor Wilson who drove forward over the halfway line before playing a one two with Andrew MacLean he then committed full back before playing a lovely pass inside the box to Aillean MacLellan who took one touch before placing a lovely shot inside the far post giving the keeper no chance, a finish to bore his older brother MacKie with !!
Fort William were now in cruise control and the coaches were sitting back enjoying the football on display as wave after wave of attacks bore down on the Alness goal. Before the period had finished Keiron Voicey had got a goal that his performance merited when he lobbed the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards after some neat control.
During the final period the boys got a bit complacent and with some experimental changes in positions and some new boys getting their chance the flowing football stopped and Alness enjoyed a bit more possession but they eventually made it 5 when Paul Bradley played in Keiron Voicey for his second.
The only real disappointment was the team not getting their first clean sheet. This came from the penalty spot in the 89th minute when the fast improving Joe Watson made his only mistake of the game when in his enthusiasm to try and win the ball ,instead of standing up and forcing the attacker wide, he clipped the forwards heels and a penalty was the result.
Despite another great performance Bradley was given no chance from the spot.
Bradley Cameron, Joe Watson,Connor MacRae,Keiron Lopez, Connor Wilson, Andrew MacLean, Arran MacPhee, Martin Munro, Craig Cameron, Keiron Voicey, Dejan watson, Aillean MacLellan, Calum MacDonald, Paul Bradley.
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Forres Mechanics Under 15's 1 V 1 Fort William Under 15's
A young Fort William side lined up with Connor Macrae, Joe Watson, Aaron Macphee, Craig Cameron and Jordan Macphee making thier debut at under 15 level. Despite controlling large amounts of the first period with superior passing play the Fort were unable to score and found themselves trailing after the first 30min. The Fort were punished after gifting Forres possesion on the edge of the penalty area which the home side converted to lead 1-0.
During the second period the Fort showed great character and ability again controlling the majority of the play. Central midfield partners Aaron and Jordan Macphee played with great determination and skill out playing thier older and stronger opponents. Team captain Kieron Lopez excellently marshalled the Fort defence guiding debutants Joe Watson and Connor Macrae through a solid performance denying Forres a single shot on goal. The away teams superior play was rewarded when wing back Andrew Maclean burst into the Forres box winning a penalty and then confidently converting to level the score.
Despite outplaying Forres in the final period and showing an abbundance of slick attacking play the Fort youngsters were unable to grab a winning goal. The Fort coaching team were delighted with the teams attitude and commitment to play passing football despite Forres having the height, weight and strength advantage.
Squad: Bradley Cameron, Connor Macrae, Cameron Melrose, Kieron Lopez, Andrew Maclean, Joe Watson, Aaron Macphee, Jordan Macphee, Craig Cameron, Martin Munro, Ailean Maclennan, Paul Bradley, Martin Ferguson, Dejan Watson, Donald Campbell, Sean Noble, Alistair Rowantree
Full Time 1-1
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Fort William Under 15's v Wick U15's
Fort William kicked of this match short handed due to 4 late call offs but despite this they put up a great battling performance against a very well organised Wick side.
Throughout the match Fort William struggled to get their normal passing game going due to the conditions, with a strong wind blowing across the Canal Parks in Coal,and because they were missing the exciting young MacPhee partnership, Jordan and Aaron in the centre of the park.
Despite this Fort William took the lead in the First 3rd when Craig Cameron won the ball in his own half then played in Martin Munro who in turn fed the young overlapping Dejan Watson who brilliantly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper for a goal in his first start.Wick were playing the better football and were putting the Fort William defence under constant pressure but the defence stayed well organised and restricted Wick to long range shots which never troubled Bradley Cameron in Goals.
The second third saw more of the same and occasionlly when they did break through the defence they found Bradley Cameron in fine form in the slippy conditions. Fort made it two nil against the run of play when a powerful run by debutant Connor Wilson saw him get in behind the Wick rearguard and from the by line he cut it back for Dejan to score his second of the game.
In the final 3rd wick pulled one back when for the first and only time in the game Fort William never cleared the ball and the Wick player found the net from a suspiciously offside position but on the balance of play this was probuably well deserved.
Wick then threw everything at the Fort for the reminder but never broke them down. Special praise is due to the dominant Man of the match Keiron Lopez fellow defenders Joe Watson,Connor Wilson and Goalkeeper Bradley Cameron, although every single player gave 100% and battled well right to the end.
Special thanks to Keiron Voicey who came in at very short notice for his debut and never looked out of place for the 30 minutes he played.
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Strathspey Thistle Under 17's 0 V 12 Fort William Under 17's
Fort William U-17's travelled away for a friendly last Sunday against the newly formed Strathspey Thistle and came away with a resounding 12-0 victory.
The opening 10 minutes were very even until Liam Kennedy sent in a delightful cross from the right and with Lewis Campbell arriving at the back post he calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner for the opener.The early goal settled the young Fort team and only 5 mins later Logan Barker fired a shot straight at the Strathspey keeper who could only parry it into the feet of the on-rushing Liam Kennedy who finished well to make it 2-0.
Strathspey were having their best spell in the game a forced a succession of corners which the Fort defended very well to maintain their clean sheet. Fort needed a 3rd goal to put the game beyond Strathspey and it duly came just before half time as Ian "maccy" MacLellan showed great skill in the box to turn the defender who took the striker down for the ref to blow for a penalty. Maccy got to his feet to take the penalty himself and slotted it into the bottom corner for Fort's 3rd goal.
Straight from the re-start Logan Barker scored with good timing and a great front post header to go 4 up. Fort were now playing very good possession football and with more superb crosses coming in from the left from Lewis Campbell the Fort added another 3 goals courtesy of the strike partnership of Logan Barker and Ian MacLellan.
Strathspey were still working hard but were unable to match the Fort team and conceded another 5 goals which were scored by Steven Lopez, Barker, and MacLellan.
Another excellent team performance from the young 17's side who are getting more consistent with every game they play. A hard earned clean sheet for the back four who were ably marshalled by the impressive Ian Foggo in defence. Tireless work from the midfielders with Lopez and Corbett in the centre showing excellent awareness and passing abilities.
Man of the match was shared by the front pairing of Barker and MacLellan who have now scored an impressive 18 goals between them in the last 4 games.
Strathspey Thistle youth structure was only formed in the summer and they will surely improve if they continue to show their excellent attitude and hard work rate even when things were not going for them.We look forward to organising more friendlies with them in the future.
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Clachnacuddin Under 17's 2 v 8 Fort William Under 17's
Fort William U-17’s travelled away to Clach recently for their Highland League fixture and returned with a resounding 8-2 away win.
On a good playing surface at Bught Parks the Fort started brightly and within 5 minutes, Davie Neil from wide midfield had cut in twice and had two glorious chances to put the Fort ahead only to be denied by the Clach keeper. It was shortly after this on 15 minutes that Clach broke away and their speedy winger fired in a fierce shot on goal which Jamie Moan saved well but the Clach forward was quickest to the rebound to put it into the empty net for a 1-0 lead against the run of play.
Fort carried on playing their normal game and were rewarded on 20 minutes as Ian Foggo found space from a corner to bullet a header high into the net for the equaliser, this brought an end to first period with the scores level at 1-1.
The midfield battle was being won by the tenacity of the hard working Ewan Campbell and Lewis Corbett in the centre of the park and they were creating chances for the strike partnership of the pacey Logan Barker and Ian MacLellan up front for the Fort. Within a 10 minute spell the close skills and excellent finishing of Logan and Maccy had put the score to 4-1 for the Fort. However the Clach team were still showing plenty of spirit and refused to give up the game and continued to work very hard for each other to the end of the second period.
In the final period Fort began to dominate the game and used the whole pitch very well with the wide men Lewis Campbell and Raymond Munro seeing plenty of the balls. It was from this possession that Lewis Corbett added a fifth goal with a fine strike from the edge of the box; Ian Foggo got his second goal with a good finish from another set piece. With the score at 6-1 the Clach winger broke through again and his pace got him clear of the Fort defence to calmly slot the ball home to make it 6-2, this was the Clach wingers’ second goal of the game and it was just rewards for his fine overall display.
Fort weren’t finished yet and they continued to press the game and further goals from Maccy and Logan Barker brought the final result to 8-2. This was Logan’s second hat-trick in only three games since he stepped up to this age group.
An excellent team performance with all 15 players equally contributing to this display. The result has shown how much the young team have improved over the last year as Clach have usually been the dominant force within the league for many years.
Fort’s next game is away to Alness on Sunday 1st November with a 1pm kick off.
Team: Jamie Moan, Connor Sweeney, Paddy Toal, Ian Foggo, Darren Kennedy, Lewis Campbell, Davie Neil, Lewis Corbett, Ewan Campbell, Logan Barker, Ian MacLellan, Rhys Donnelly, Liam Kennedy, Raymond Munro, Danny Delaney.
Scorers: Logan Barker 3, Ian MacLellan 2, Ian Foggo 2, Lewis Corbett
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Forres Mechanics Under 17's 1 V 5 Fort William Under 17's
Fort William U-17's travelled away to Forres for their opening league fixture and came back with a resounding 5-1 win. With Mossett Park in pristine condition Fort got off to the perfect start with neat passing between Steven Lopez and Logan Barker which resulted in the debutant Barker calmly finishing from the edge of the box to put Fort 1-0 up.
The pace of Logan Barker and Iain MacLellan up front were causing all sorts of problems for the Forres defence and it was Maccy MacLellan with a superb strike to put the Fort 2-0 up after only 10 minutes. Fort were playing excellent football in this opening period but were unable to finish the game off even this early due to the heroics of the impressive Forres keeper.
It was a total contrast in the second period as Forres came out firing and put Fort William right out of their stride and were rewarded with a penalty which was well taken to change the scoreline to 2-1. If it wasn't for several superb saves from Jamie Moan in the Fort goal things would have been a lot different as the second period closed out with the Fort hanging on at 2-1.
This is what the young Fort team needed and came back out for the final period fired up and Logan Barker quickly scored to settle the team down and they all got back to their normal style of play. With Fort begining to dominate the impressive debutant Lewis Campbell in left midfield ran through the Forres defence to calmly finish to make the score 4-1. The game wasn't finished yet as Logan Barker rounded the Forres keeper to complete a hat trick on his U-17's debut to make the final score a deserved 5-1 win. Man of the match could have went to several players but Lewis Corbett and Steven Lopez were excellent in centre midfield with Lewis getting the honours this time.
Team: Jamie Moan, Darren Kennedy, Connor Sweeney, Iain Foggo, Stuart Callison, Raymond Munro, Steven Lopez, Lewis Corbett, Lewis Campbell, Iain MacLellan, Logan Barker, Ryan MacKay, Davie Neil, Liam Kennedy, Farquhar MacRae.
An impressive performance considering 8 players in the squad have just made the step up from the well guided U-15's squad.
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Fort William Under 17's v Wick U17's
Fort William U-17’s were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Wick last Sunday despite dominating the game for large spells.
The young Fort team started the brighter of both teams and settled down quickly and were rewarded for their early pressure in 15 minutes as Lewis Campbell put Ian MacLellan through who cut the ball back for his strike partner Logan Barker to slide in and put the Fort 1-0 up. This was Logan’s fourth goal in only his second appearance for the U-17’s.
The game became more even as both teams began to cancel out each other with their hard work and especially from both Lewis Corbett and Steven Lopez in Fort’s centre midfield. However a poor clearance from the Fort defence was picked up by the Wick midfield on the half way line who then put a great ball through for the Wick forward to run onto and just nip it past the on-rushing Jamie Moan in goal to level the scores at 1-1 on 25 minutes. This seemed to unsettle the young Fort team who didn’t create much after this and the first half drew to a close as both teams struggled for any pattern of play.
The second half produced a total contrast as right from the start Fort began passing the ball about and were retaining it very well and began to totally dominate the game as Wick struggled to get out of their own half for long spells.
The pace and close skills of Maccy and Logan Barker up front were causing continuous problems for the Wick defence and Fort were creating shot after shot only to be denied by the excellent Wick goalkeeper and the woodwork on several occasions. For all their pressure and continual shots on goal Fort were unable to get that decisive second goal and the final whistle blew as Fort were still pressing on looking for the winner.
An excellent second half performance from the whole team with good performances from debutants Darren Kennedy and Paddy Toal in defence but Lewis Corbett just gets the man of the match for his excellent play in the centre midfield.
The Wick coach had special praise for the young Fort team on their dominant second half play and commented on how well the Fort team had progressed so much from last years fixture.
Team: Jamie Moan, Paddy Toal, Iain Foggo, Darren Kennedy, Connor Sweeney, Lewis Campbell, Lewis Corbett, Steven Lopez, Raymond Munro, Logan Barker, Ian MacLellan, Ewan Campbell, Davie Neil, Liam Kennedy, Ryan MacKay.
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