First ever win for Fort William in Scottish Cup

Preston Athletic Fort William William Hill Scottish Cup

FORT William Football Club made history at the weekend, when they won a Scottish Cup game for the first time in the club’s history.

The Fort beat Preston Athletic 3-2 in Saturday’s away game, thanks to a goal from Donald MacPhee and a John MacLeod double. Manager, Ally Ewen, called the game an ‘outstanding’ performance.

The Claggan side made it to the second round of the cup in 1986 when they received a bye, but this is the first season they have won a first-round game. They will find out this afternoon (Thursday) who they will face in the second round.

Ewen said: ‘ We were well chuffed, it was a great result. We started the week with a full squad, but they seemed to be dropping like flies. By the weekend we had seven boys missing so there was a wee doubt in my mind, but I was still quietly confident. The guys went out and fought for it, they were outstanding.’

David MacDonald, vice chairman of the club, added: ‘We are absolutely delighted to get our first ever win in the Scottish Cup and it is testament to all the hard work Ally and the boys have put in. Saturday was a massive boost for everyone involved with the football club, and if we get a favourable draw in the next round, who knows how far we can go.’

This Saturday, the Fort will travel east to take on Fraserburgh. Ewen said: ‘Historically, we have conceded a lot of goals to them, but they’ve lost their star striker, Scott Barber, so they haven’t been doing as well recently. They’re not far from us on the table so a win isn’t out of our reach, I think we can do it.’

The next home game is Wednesday, October 7, against Clachnacuddin, who are ahead of Fort William in the league by a mere two goals.