|
Fort William U17's 13 V 1 Brora U17's
After a period of two months without a competitive league game due to weather postponements Fort William welcomed Brora Rangers to Claggan Park on Sunday 21st November hoping to follow up on their last home win against Alness United. It turned out to be an excellent result for them as they ran out 13-1 winners against a hard working but very young Brora team.
Straight from the kick off the Fort team settled immediately and quickly got into their passing game testing the young Brora keeper on several occasions and within five minutes Lewis Campbell from wide left put in a deep curling cross for Logan Barker to control and fire into the roof of the net from twelve yards out to give the Fort an early lead.
With Raymond Munro supporting Logan Barker up front this was causing all sorts of problems to the sturdy Brora defence but they couldn't keep them quiet for long as Raymond Munro scored a quick fire brace with two well taken goals ably supplied by the skilful Martin Munro from right midfield. This took the score to 3-0 after only twenty minutes of play as the Fort continued to dominate.
However, Brora showed their resilience and commitment as they had their best spell in the game as they began to pressure the Fort into making mistakes and from a resultant Brora corner Darren Kennedy headed the ball clear only for the Brora midfielder to strike it on the volley from fully twenty yards and it flew past Remy Cargill in the Fort goal for what was to be the best goal in the match.
With the score now at 3-1 this gave Brora a great lift and they continued to play some good football without testing the Fort keeper but on the stroke of half time the pace of Logan Barker out-stripped the Brora defence as he ran through on goal and calmly finished into the bottom corner for a scoreline of 4-1 at half time.
With a strong squad available Fort made three quick changes for the start of the second half with Bradley Cameron, Scott MacLean and Cameron Muir all coming on early to grasp their chances for which they duly did. Within five minutes of coming on striker Cameron Muir showed his calmness in front of goal as he slotted the ball in at the near post after good build up play from the ever improving Raymond Munro to make the score 5-1.
Fort continued to show their growing belief as a team as they all worked hard for each other and continued to make the right decisions when to pass and when to keep the ball and were rewarded as Raymond Munro completed his hat trick as he got on the end of another quality cross from Lewis Campbell and this was quickly followed up by the impressive Paddy Toal as he hit a searing volley from the edge of the box that flew high into the net for a scoreline of 7-1 after sixty minutes.
Brora didn't give up at this stage as they continued to press forward and they tested Bradley Cameron in the Fort goal on a number of occasions but these were restricted to long range efforts and the young Fort keeper's handling was excellent. As Brora pushed up to keep a high line this proved to be their own downfall as they were getting caught through the middle by the creativity of the Fort's midfield and the explosive pace of Logan Barker.
The hard working Logan Barker became unplayable for the remaining thirty minutes as ran through on goal time after time and with powerful finishing from all angles incredibly scored a further six goals to take his personal tally to eight for this game. However he couldn't have done this without the support from all his team mates to make a final score of 13-1.
Overall, an excellent display as this young Fort team continue to improve and this is down to their own hard work and dedication for the high numbers attending training during the bleak winter months and their willingness to learn. Sometimes most of the plaudits go to the goal scorers and the creative players but this couldn't be done without the excellent contribution from the whole squad. Particularly senior players Darren Kennedy and Farquhar MacRae bringing on the younger players Andy McLean and Keiran Lopez to mention but a few.
Scorers: Logan Barker 8, Raymond Munro 3, Cameron Muir 1, Paddy Toal 1.
Team: Remy Cargill, Keiran Lopez, Paddy Toal, Darren Kennedy, Farquhar MacRae, Martin Munro, Lewis Campbell, Andy McLean, Chris MacLeod, Raymond Munro, Logan Barker, Bradley Cameron, Scott MacLean, Cameron Muir, Davie Neil, Gordy Jamieson.
Fort's next game is the long journey away to Wick Academy on Sunday 28th November.
|
|
Clachnacuddin (A) U17's v Fort William U17's
Fort William travelled away to the Bught Parks in Inverness for their first game of the season against a Clach A side. However it was not the result they wanted as they lost out by the odd goal in a thrilling 7-6 defeat.
Fort William's lack of match practise and short period of training together showed up fairly quickly in the first 30 minute period as Clach took an early 2-0 lead albeit against the run of play. This knocked the young Fort team out of their stride and a further 2 long balls over the Fort defence caught them out and they found themselves 4-0 down after 45 minutes.
Even at this early stage it was a crucial time for the young Fort team as either they totally crumbled or they tried to make a spirited comeback and this was what they duly did. With a few positional changes with Darren Kennedy going back into the middle of the defence and Raymond Munro joining Logan Barker in attack this changed the whole context of the game as Fort began to get a hold of the ball and pass it about freely to Clach's dismay.
Quick goals from Logan Barker and Davie Neal brought the score back to 4-3 for the end of the second 30 minute period.
Fort pushed on and were dominating the game with some great passing play but were getting continually caught on the counter attack from Clach's long ball over the top of the Fort's defence for their speedy striker to run onto. Further goals from Logan Barker and Davie Neal again ensured that Fort were continually pressing for the equaliser right up to the final whistle but they were always chasing the game after giving Clach a 4-0 start. As the final whistle blew Clach held on for a deserved 7-6 win.
Overall, a lack of time to work together at training prior to the game was evident as the Fort never got going until after 45 minutes together. Something that can be addressed by good attendance and hard work on training nights. The second half of the game was very encouraging with their control of the game and their passing play, considering this was the first time many of the squad had played together.
Scorers: Logan Barker 4, Davie Neal 2.
Team: Sandy Corrigan, Darren Kennedy, Cameron Melrose, Keiran Lopez, Farquhar MacRae, Andy McLean, Lewis Campbell, Blair Hamilton, Logan Barker, Cameron Muir, Raymond Munro, Chris McLeod, Scott McLean, Davie Neal.
|
Fort William U17's V Invergordon U17's
|
Fort William U-17's opened up their Highland League campaign with a resounding 15-0 home win against Invergordon on Sunday 29th August at Claggan Park.
Fort got off to the very best of starts as home debutant Cameron Muir found space in the box and got onto the end of two driven crosses from wide player Raymond Munro within the first 6 minutes to put the Fort 2-0 up at this early stage.This settled the young Fort team straight away and they quickly began to dominate the game as Andy McLean and Chris MacLeod in midfield were passing the ball well for the Fort to retain good possession and set up the strikers on a regular basis.
With the clinical finishing of Logan Barker and Cameron Muir up front they both completed their individual hat tricks within the first 30 minute period of play and a further fine finish from Andy McLean made the score 7-0 after the first period.
The second period began with a spirited Invergordon team playing for pride and this knocked the Fort team off their stride. It was only when Cameron Grant was introduced to the midfield play that the Fort began to get on top again and were rewarded with further goals from Logan Barker, Cameron Muir and Andy McLean to make the score 10-0 at the end of the second period.
In the final period the Fort kept disciplined and maintained their shape well as the Invergordon team struggled with the pace of striker Logan Barker who went on to get a further 2 goals before being substituted to allow a change of strikers. Fort scored a further 3 goals as Davie Neil had 2 well taken finishes and young Martin Munro's deep cross evaded the Invergordon keeper to drop into the net for a final score of 15-0.
The plaudits may go to the goalscorers but it was a fine overall performance from all 15 players who contributed to a well disciplined display. All the younger players who have just recently stepped up from the U-15's squad acquitted themselves well with fine performances from Keiran Lopez, Andy McLean and Cameron Grant.
Scorers: L.Barker 6, C.Muir 4, A.McLean 2, D.Neal 2, M.Munro 1.
Team: A.Gibb, S.MacLean, C.Melrose, K.Lopez, D.Kennedy, C.MacLeod, R.Munro, L.Campbell, A.McLean, L.Barker, C.Muir, C.Grant, D.Neal, M.Munro, D.MacFadyen.
Fort are away to Clach next Sunday and their next home game is against Alness on Sunday 19th September with a 2.00 k/o.
|
|
Clachnacuddin (B) U17's v Fort William U17's
Fort William travelled to Inverness to play the Clach B side and lost out 2-1 in a very tight and even match. It appears that both Clach A and B teams are as equally strong with a good mixture and balance within both teams.
Following on from their impressive display at home to Invergordon last week Fort started very brightly and within the first 30 minute period they had the possibility of putting the game beyond Clach even at this early stage. Logan Barker twice, Raymond Munro twice and Cameron Melrose striking the bar, all tested the young Clach keeper who managed to keep the Fort at bay.
Inverness weathered the storm and slowly began to get back into the game as the second period ended in a stalemate at 0-0.
The final period saw Logan Barker score the opener for Fort William but this was soon cancelled out by the pacey, impressive Clach winger who went onto score two late goals to give Clach a fortuitous 2-1 win.
Overall, a very good performance and display from the young Fort team who are growing in confidence as the team begins to bond together. A game in which they should have won but they had to take the early chances they created before Clach had their spell in the game.
We now look forward to both Clach teams making the journey to Claggan Park for the return fixture later in the season.
Scorer: Logan Barker.
Team: Bradley Cameron, Scott McLean, Cameron Melrose, Keiran Lopez, Darren Kennedy, Lewis Campbell, Raymond Munro, Andy McLean, Chris McLeod, Logan Barker, Cameron Muir, Davie Neal, Dale MacFadyen, Cameron Grant.
|
|
Strathspey Thistle U17's v Fort William U17's
Fort William were on their travels again as they visited Grantown on Spey to play an ever improving Strathspey Thistle team and returned with a 4-1 victory.
A late arriving Fort William team had very little time to organise themselves as the referee pushed for the game to begin shortly after their arrival. This proved unfortunate for the Fort team as a lacklustre start within the first 30 minute period saw too many of their passes not finding their man as they struggled to put their stamp on the game at this early stage where matches can easily be won or lost.
However, the opening and physical 30 minute period saw very few chances created by either team as they battled each other to gain control of the game.
At the start of the second period a long ball from the Strathspey defence eluded Darren Kennedy and Keiran Lopez in the heart of the Fort defence for the Strathspey striker to run onto and slot past the on-rushing Remy Cargill in the Fort goal for a 1-0 lead to the home team.
This was exactly the wake up call the young Fort team needed as collectively they began to demand the ball and press the game more all over the park to remedy the set-back they had given themselves. It was from a defence splitting pass from midfielder Farquhar MacRae into the path of the unselfish running of Andy McLean who calmly gathered the ball and neatly finished it to make the score 1-1.
Due to their hard work the confidence was back in the Fort team and as Paddy Toal challenged for the ball it broke to Logan Barker who spun his defender on the edge of the box and fired an angled drive straight into the bottom corner to put the Fort 2-1 ahead at the end of the second period.
With the Fort 2-1 up they controlled the game with excellent pressing, not allowing the hard working Strathspey side any time on the ball. At this scoreline the game was never out with Strathspey's grasp and it took a very good save from the debutant Remy Cargill in the Fort goal to thwart the Strathspey striker from getting an equaliser against the run of play.
In the final period Fort began to get more space and the excellent Martin Munro was rewarded as he cut in from his wide position to curl a ball beyond the Strathspey keeper and into the top corner to effectively put the game beyond Strathspey and a 3-1 lead for the Fort.
The final score was completed as Gordy Jamieson back heeled the ball into the path of the on-rushing Logan Barker who had dropped back into midfield and he took it first time as it sailed into the top corner from all of 30 yards to seal a deserved 4-1 victory for the young Fort team.
Overall, Fort took a while to get going in this match but when they did, they deserved their result due to their hard work and continual pressing of a very hard working and committed Strathspey team. Special mention to the young Strathspey keeper who made numerous excellent saves and is actually elegible to play U-15's football, definitely one for the future. A very good performance from Fort William with all players contributing to a hard working and deserved win.
Fort's next game is at Claggan Park on Sunday 19th September against Alness United with a 2:00 k/o.
Scorers: Logan Barker 2, Andy McLean, Martin Munro.
Team: Remy Cargill, Cameron Melrose, Farquhar MacRae, Keiran Lopez, Darren Kennedy, Lewis Campbell, Raymond Munro, Chris McLeod, Andy McLean, Logan Barker, Cameron Muir, Dale MacFadyen, Paddy Toal, Martin Munro, Gordy Jamieson.
|
|
Fort William U17's V Alness U17's
Fort William U-17's continued their excellent form with a deserved 4-3 home victory over a hard working Alness team last Sunday.
The young Fort team started very well and quickly got into their stride as strikers Raymond Munro and Cameron Muir linked up well to test the Alness keeper on a regular basis, however the Fort couldn't find a way past the impressive Alness keeper.
The game had got to the 30 minute mark with the Fort in control when Lewis Campbell lost possession deep in his own half and the Alness winger put in a delightful cross deep into the box for their striker to head powerfully in at the back post for a 1-0 lead to Alness.
Yet again the young Fort team found themselves a goal down despite dominating proceedings but week after week they always seem to show the same determined response and shortly afterwards the trickery of Martin Munro from out wide say him glide past 2 Alness defenders and curl a ball right into the top corner to level the score at 1-1 as the first half ended.
The second half started with the Fort pressing the game high up the pitch but there was always the threat from the pacey lone striker from Alness.
With the Fort attacking continuously Alness reverted to the successful long ball tactic over the top off the Fort defence and it was from one of these clearances that the Alness striker ran through on goal only for Bradley Cameron to take him down on the edge of the box for a penalty. The striker got up and took the spot kick himself and scored to make it 2-1 to Alness.
Within a space of 2 minutes the Fort cancelled out the Alness lead as firstly a Raymond Munro shot flew into the bottom corner from 18 yards and then a set piece diving header from captain Darren Kennedy powered into the net for a 3-2 Fort lead.
Alness were continuing to counter attack the Fort and from a resultant breakaway the pacey Alness striker sprinted clear of the Fort defence to level the scores against the run of play.
Fort continued to press for the winner but were coming up against some strong and resilient defending from Alness, however the Fort were finally rewarded for their pressure as Lewis Campbell put in a delightful cross that fell at the back post for the impressive Martin Munro to control first time and calmly slot into the roof of the net for what turned out to be the winning goal and a 4-3 win to Fort William.
Overall, another impressive and patient performance from the young Fort team as they controlled the majority of the match against a hard working Alness team who were hard to break down and played to their strengths on the day by their direct style which suited the pace of the Alness striker who gave the Fort defence a hard game.
Scorers: Martin Munro 2, Raymond Munro 1, Darren Kennedy 1.
Team: Bradley Cameron, Keiran Lopez, Darren Kennedy, Farquhar MacRae, Cameron Melrose, Martin Munro, Lewis Campbell, Andy McLean, Chris McLeod, Raymond Munro, Cameron Muir, Dale MacFadyen, Paddy Toal, Gordy Jamieson.
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |