Thurso 4 V 1 Fort William Reserves

Fort suffered defeat after their far flung visit to Thurso on Saturday.
The scoreline however, didn’t reflect the performance of the Fort team who turned in an excellent display.
The away side dominated the first half, and created 3 good chances which they failed to convert. Ian McLellan in particular, causing the Thurso defence problems.
Their pressure was rewarded in 30 minutes when Sean MacDonald gave Fort the lead with a delightful chip from 25 years which left the keeper stranded.
Unfortunately, the lead only lasted 9 minutes as Sinclair slid home an equaliser.
The second half continued in the same vain with Fort being in control.
2 free kicks from MacDonald and a long range drive from Forbes made the keeper work to keep the scores level.
The 2nd half deadlock was finally broken after 70 minutes when Nicol scored after a corner wasn’t properly cleared by the Fort defence.
5 minutes later came the turning point of the match when Fort's MacDonald received a straight red card for a 2 footed tackle on a Thurso opponent.
Thurso then swamped the midfield and the rest of the match was virtually one way traffic, with Thurso confirming their superiority with 2 goals by  Bremner and McLean in the last 5 minutes to finish the game at a flattering 4-1 scoreline.

Fort team; Ryan Hunter, Ian Foggo, Alan Love, Daniel McLellan, Scott Lawrie, Sean MacDonald, Declan McNeill, Lewis Corbett, David Forbes, John Sweeney, Ian McLellan.

Subs Calum McCormack, Craig McCormack, Ian Wright (all played)…replaced Corbett, Forbes, Ian McLellan

Golspie Sutherland 6 v 2 Fort William (Res)

A disappointing first half from Fort William left them with a mountain to climb as they ended the half 4 goals down. 4 goals in 25 minutes from a more than decent Golspie side ended the game as a contest.
The nearest the Fort got to replying was a lob from Glen just before half time which narrowly sailed over the bar.

The second half was a much more exciting event, and in 47 minutes an own goal put the score at 4-1. Two minutes later a wonderful cross from Sweeney fell to Iain McLellan who lobbed the keeper to give Fort reward for a spirited start.

Fort held their own and competed well until 65 minutes when a fumble from keeper Smith made the scores 5-2 and in 80 minutes the scoring was complete when Golspie’s Alex Bone completed his hat trick with a penalty to make the final score 6-2 to Golspie.

Golspie manager nominated Callum McCormack as Forts man of the match.

Smith, Foggo, Lawrie, D MacLellan, Love, Forbes, McPhee, Corbett, I McLellan, Sweeney, McCormack, Glen, Bushnak

Dingwall Thistle 6 v 0 Fort William FC (Res)

Fort suffered their heaviest defeat of the season on Saturday after a lackluster performance against an experienced Dingwall side. Fort had a good start but fell behind after 17 minutes when an unstoppable 20 yard shot flew into the net past a helpless keeper. The remainder of the first half was an even encounter but Dingwall doubled their lead just before half time when a shot was fumbled by keeper Moan and the scorer netted the rebound.

Fort competed well in the second half but 4 goals in the last 15 minutes made the scoreline flatter the home side. Yet another learning curve for the young side, but there were positive aspects in the display.
Forts man of the match was striker Ian MacLellan.

Saturday's team: Jamie Moan, Alan Love, Ian Foggo, Daniel MacLellan, Scott Lawrie, Declan MacNeill, Roddy McPhee, Darren Quigg, Sean McDonald, Martyn Glen, Ian MacLellan

Subs: Lewis Corbett, John Sweeney (not used), John Paul McCormack, Callum McCormack

Reporter Andy Calderwood