Fort William FC Youth Development
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Inverness Clachnacuddin (B) U17's 0 v 5 Fort William U17's
Fort William U-17's opened up their Highland League season with a trip away to Clach B last Sunday and continued their good form from last season to return with an emphatic 5-0 victory. With only 1 minute gone midfielder Alex Whittaker powered past several Clach defenders to cut the ball back from the bye line for Keiran Voicey to follow up and tap in the net for a dream start to the season and a 1-0 lead. With confidence high and only 5 minutes gone Andy McLean fed a through ball for midfielder Connor Wilson to run onto and from the edge of the box he calmly slid the ball under the on-rushing Clach keeper for a quick 2-0 advantage. Fort continued to press but the scoreline stayed the same for the remainder of the first period.
Clach came out fired up for the second period but Fort weathered their early pressure and the hard working Alex Whittaker was brought down by a late lunge in the box for a penalty to the Fort. Captain Andy McLean stepped up and confidently took the penalty to find the bottom corner of the net but his celebrations were cut short as the referee ordered a re-take due to encroachment, this didn't deter Andy as he duly found the bottom corner again for a 3-0 lead.
At the start of the final period Sean Noble passed to Martin Munro on the half way line and the tricky winger drove straight at the heart of the Clach defence who couldn't committ to the tackle and Martin continued forward to fire past the Clach keeper for a fine individual goal. The best goal of the match was saved for last as Fort held the ball and passed it throughout their team for winger Martin Munro to cut the ball back to Andy McLean on the edge of the box and a fine strike made the final scoreline 5-0 to the Fort.
Overall, an excellent team performance to carry on their hard working attitude and team spirit from last season but particular mention to Keiran Lopez and Calum Boyd for mature performances in the heart of the Fort defence to maintain the clean sheet at this level and Alex Whittaker in centre midfield for a powerful and impressive Fort debut.
Team: Bradley Cameron, Cameron Melrose, Lewis McLean, Keiran Lopez, Calum Boyd, Connor Wilson, Martin Munro, Andy McLean, Alex Whittaker, Keiran Voicey, A MacLellan, Aaron McLean, Sean Noble.
Inverness Clachnacuddin (B) U15's 3 v 4 Fort William U15's
Inverness started much the quicker and pushed the Fort back for the first 5 to 10 minutes, however the Fort weathered the storm and began to string together some useful moves which led to the first goal of the season. Lewis Morrison sent a speculative free kick into the penalty area which the Clach keeper misjudged and allowed the ball to bounce over him and into the net. The Fort youngsters went on from there to dominate the first period with goals coming from Shane Gillies and Lewis Simpson with several decent chances narrowly missed.
At the start off the second period the Fort went 4 up thanks to a tidy finish from Aaron Sandison. The Fort made several changes in the second period and appeared to take their foot off the pedal which allowed Clach to get back into the match with 2 well taken goals.
The Fort started the third period in command but failed to capitalise on their superior possession, but With under 20 mins left Clach were awarded a penalty for a reckless challenge from left back Garry MacKay, who up to that point hadn't put a foot wrong. Ruaridh Macinnes in the Fort goal just missed the spot kick and it was now 4-3 to the Fort, which led to a nervous end to the match.
Clach had a couple of chances to even up the score but some brave defending from Craig McIsaacs, Ronan Cameron, James McDermot and Lewis Simpson kept the Inverness lads at bay.
Lewis Morrison hit the bar with a well taken free kick near the end when Shane Gillies was bundled over just outside the area. Cameron MacBeth then had a 1 on 1 with the keeper but placed the ball into the side netting.
There was a bit of a stramash near the end when Fort winger Lewis Rydings was blatantly scythed down by a Clach defender but the referee was on hand to deal with the situation before it got out of hand.
All in all a very promising first outing for the Fort lads who probably should have won more comfortably..
Fort starting line up ;
Ruaridh MacInnes
Lewis Simpson Ronan Cameron Craig MacIsaac Garry MacKay
Cameron MacBeth Lewis Morrison Nico Scally
Shane Gillies Lewis Rydings
Aaron Sandison
Subs;
James McDermot
John MacKay
Jay MacLeod