Fort William FC Youth Development

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Coaching Course Update

Ten of Fort William's coaches successfully completed their level 2 Coaching Youth Footballers course on Sunday the 25th of May.This will soon be 11 when George Cairns completes his modules soon having been unavailable due to his entry in the London Marathon

Calum MacLean, James Jeanette, Paul MacLellan, John Matheson, Michael MacEachen, Thomas Stephan, Tommy Taylor, Alan MacKinnon,George Cairns, Scott Duncan and James Kelly went through the first part of the 12 hour course in scorching heat on the 11th of May, then they were back at Claggan on Sunday past to complete their individual coaching modules under the watchful eye of Peter Budge The SFA's Football development Officer for the Higlands.

These qualifications mean that the club has a great spread of coaches with a level 2 coach at every team from the Primary 4 & 5 squad right through to first team level.

Fort Youth Coach Completes London Marathon

Under 13 coach George Cairns was down in London on Sunday the 25th competing in the London Marathon. The long trip was worth while as he comfortably broke the magical 3 hour barrier finishing in 2hrs 51mins 26 seconds. George finished in 512th spot in the event in which over 36,000 entered. In his category of "veteran" he finished an incredible 103rd. There is no truth in the rumour that next year he will do the 26 mile course with a ball at his feet because anyone who remebers George's touch, this could mean him having to run over the 30 mile Mark !! Well done George.

Youth Fixtures Announced

The U15's and U17's have 5 home games each between the 11th of April and Sunday 16th of May. The games will be played at the BA and Claggan Parks. Further details will be available in the run up to the games.

SUNDAY 11TH APRIL 3PM 15&17 FORT WILLIAM V STRATHSPEY U17 Report
 
SUNDAY 25TH APRIL 3PM U15's & U17's  ALNESS v FORT WILLIAM  U17 Report

SUNDAY 2nd MAY 15
FORT WILLIAM V CLACH 2pm
 
SUNDAY 9th MAY 15&17
FORT WILLIAM V FORRES 2pm
 
SUNDAY 16TH MAY  15&17
FORT WILLIAM V ALNESS 2pm

Wick Academy U17's 1 v 4 Fort William Under 17's

Fort William travelled away to Alness United U-17’s on Sunday 18th April looking for a much improved performance after their 2-2 home draw recently against Strathspey Thistle.

Straight from kick off the Fort were on the front foot with midfielders Lewis Corbett and the returning Steven Lopez spraying passes onto the willing runs of Lewis Campbell and Raymond Munro in the wide areas to supply the intelligent play of the Fort strikers Logan Barker and Ian MacLellan.

This impressive Fort play was to continue until after 25 minutes the Alness midfield picked up the ball and tried a speculative shot from all off 30 yards which totally deceived Jamie Moan in the Fort goal who tried to usher the ball past the post only to see it trundle into the corner of his net.

With the Fort now 1-0 down against the run of play they remained calm and continued to probe and pass their way through a stout Alness defence to only be denied time and again by resolute defending and an Alness keeper who was playing at the top of his game.

Alness couldn’t withstand the continued Fort pressure and Logan Barker neatly spun off his marking defender to power a shot from 12 yards high into the net past a despairing Alness keeper to make the score 1-1 after the first 30 minute period.

Fort started the second period in the same manner but were thwarted time and again by last ditch defending and good goalkeeping from a committed Alness defence who were scrapping for every ball. With Alness unable to clear their lines the very impressive Raymond Munro slid in Logan Barker yet again at the near post for him to get the faintest of touches to direct the ball past the Alness keeper for a deserved 2-1 lead.

Fort’s second goal seemed to take everything out of this young Alness team and play was being dictated by a dominant and committed Fort team who were now playing their best football this year so far. Ian MacLellan was rewarded for his hard work as he got back onto the score sheet with two well taken goals from the edge of the box, one which had the Alness support applauding as well. This brought the final score to a well deserved 4-1 away win.

Overall an excellent performance from all players involved and a fine debut from Keiran Lopez who stepped up from the under 15’s to have a fine game in the centre of defence.

Hopefully they’ll take this level of play through to their next fixture at home to Nairn County on Sunday 25th April at Claggan Park with a 2pm kick off.

Team: Jamie Moan, Connor Sweeney, Farquhar MacRae, Darren Kennedy, Keiran Lopez, Lewis Campbell, Raymond Munro, Lewis Corbett, Steven Lopez, Logan Barker, Ian MacLellan, Davie Neal, Liam Kennedy, Scott MacLean.

Fort William Under 17's 2 v 2 Strathspey Thistle U17's

Fort William U-17’s welcomed Strathspey Thistle to Claggan Park on Sunday 11th April, Strathspey were a team that the Fort had recently beaten 12-0 but this was to be a totally different result.

Fort started the match very brightly and within 2 minutes Lewis Campbell fired over a delightful cross for the prolific Logan Barker to swivel and fire a volley past the helpless Strathspey keeper for an early lead. This excellent start continued and the pace of Ian MacLellan set up Logan Barker yet again who calmly slotted the ball past the on rushing Strathspey keeper for a 2-0 lead after only 8 minutes.

Fort totally dominated the remaining period of the first half and squandered numerous chances to put the game well beyond Strathspey who were having a very difficult first half.

However, a totally committed and different Strathspey turned up for the second half and quickly pressed the game and started to cause a few problems for the lacklustre Fort side who were struggling to get going in the second half.

It was the Fort who got the first real chance in the second half after 60 minutes as Logan Barker was brought down by the Strathspey keeper and the ref pointed to the spot for a penalty. Up stepped Ian MacLellan who unfortunately blasted the ball high over the bar and the score remained 2-0.

This gave Strathspey a great lift and they immediately pushed forward past a static Fort defence to fire a well taken goal past Sandy Corrigan in the Fort goal to make it 2-1. A very lethargic Fort team now lost focus and concentration due to Strathspey’s work ethic and with sloppy communication and defending left the Strathspey forward to roll the ball into an empty net for 2-2.

With the game stuttering out for a 2-2 all draw Fort broke forward and Ian MacLellan rounded the keeper to fire the ball in for what looked like a 3-2 win but their celebrations were short lived as the ref pulled back play for an earlier foul to the Fort’s Raymond Munro on the edge of the box. With the keeper safely catching the resultant free kick the game finally ended in a 2-2 draw.

Overall a lacklustre second half performance from the usually very committed Fort team but a much improved and stronger Strathspey team made this game a tough challenge.

Team: Jamie Moan, Connor Sweeney, Paddy Toal, Darren Kennedy, Farquhar MacRae, Lewis Campbell, Raymond Munro, Lewis Corbett, Iain Foggo, Logan Barker, Ian MacLellan, Davie Neal, Liam Kennedy, Sandy Corrigan.

Clachnacuddin Under 15's 0 v 4 Fort William Under 15's

After their recent excellent away draw to Wick the young lads made the Journey to Inverness looking for revenge against a Clach team who had beaten The Fort in a recent away friendly match.

For only the second time this season the coaches enjoyed the luxury of having a full squad to select from. Having won the toss Fort William set the tone from kick off creating a wonderful passing move that involved most of the team before Jordan MacPhee saw a 25 yard drive clip the top of the junction of post and bar before any Clach player had touched the ball.

The following 30 minutes saw the most enjoyable period of football that the coaching team had enjoyed this season, completely dominating with wave after wave of attack on the Clach goal showing great variety in their play. Bad luck and some poor finishing meant that all that was missing was a goal as the period ended goalless but everyone was enthused with the performance.

One period down, could Bradley get his first clean sheet and will Martin Munro ever get a goal ?

The second period saw Clach come out fired up after a roasting from their coach.Just as it looked like they were going to make a game of it, The Fort made the breakthrough.It started with a long kick from hand by Bradley, which was meet by a tongue lashing from coach Danny, but before Danny had finished his hair-dryer treatment,young Kieron Voicey had out muscled his older and larger marker to win possession before turning him and lashing the ball home from 12 yards.

Before the 2nd period had ended Keiron had helped himself to a hat trick and wonders of wonders Martin Munro had scored too, lobbing the keeper from 20 yards after another well worked moved. A goal that delighted everyone as Martin runs himself unselfishly into the ground every game he plays, we don't think this will be his last goal in Fort William colours.

Two periods down Bradley moves closer to the elusive clean sheet.

The final period was a little flat as the lads tired and changes were made but chances were still created notably when Calum MacDonald nearly claimed a years supply of Burgers when he rattled the post from the edge of the box with the Goalkeeper beaten.

There was no failures for Fort William but special mention due to the excellent MacPhee partnership of Jordan and Arran, Lewis MacLean and Keiron Voicey who are all eligible to play for the U-15s next season but with the form and hard work they are showing could well be interesting Paul and John for the step up to the Under 17's with the rest of the squad.

Bradley Cameron, Connor Wilson, Lewis MacLean, Keron Lopez, Andrew MacLean, Jordan MacPhee, Arran MacPhee, Cameron Grant, Cameron Melrose, Martin Munro, Keiron Voicey,Craig Cameron, Connor MacRae, Joe Watson, Ailean MacLellan, Alexander Cameron, Calum MacDonald.

How could I forget...........Bradley got a clean sheet !!

Fort William Youth Development 

Fort William FC Youth Coordinator 

Alistair Smith is the current youth co-ordinator for Fort William Football Club. Ali's role will encompass the U12's, U13's, U15's and U17 set ups. A key part of his role will involve bringing all the team coaches together to form an end to end development program for the youngsters of Fort William and surrounding areas. This is a massive undertaking, however a structured Youth Initiative is essential if the club are to compete successfully in the Highland League.

Alistair will be writing to all parents of the youth players in the near future, however if you have spare time and feel you could offer a supporting role, please email Ali on the below link. As well as general support we are also seeking volunteers with Food Hygeine certification to assist on match days at Claggan Park.

You can contact Ali by email via the link.