John hero of the hour

Fort William 3- 5 Brora Rangers FORT William’s John Mcleod was the hero of the hour when he scored a hat-trick against Highland league champions, Brora Rangers on Saturday.

In a disappointing first half, the Claggan men were 3- 0 down at half-time, but stepped on to the pitch like a new team in the second half.

Five minutes into the game, Mcleod opened the scoring for the Fort with a header and, two minutes later, sent the ball into the back of the net for a second time with a strike from 25 yards.

But the joy was shortlived for Ally Ewen and his men as a quick fire double from Brora’s Paul Brindle and Grant Munro made it 5-2.

With just minutes left, Mcleod completed his hat-trick when he picked up the ball from inside the Brora half, drove forward and hit the ball past keeper, Joe Malin, from 20 yards.

The Fort were in with a chance of a fourth goal in stoppage time, but Malin saved the penalty that could have seen Mcleod score again.

This weekend Fort William travel to take on Preston Athletic in the first round of the Scottish Cup.