Twelve-goal Turriff inflict bruising defeat on Fort
Turriff United 12 Fort William 1
Highland League
Fort William Football Club fell to their ninth double-figure defeat in the Highland League this season as Turriff United ruthlessly dispatched their visitors on Saturday.
Six goals either side of halftime consigned Fort William to another bruising defeat to leave them 15 points adrift at the foot of the table. Fort William manager Russell MacMorran could not hide his disappointment with the score, especially as he felt recent results had been improving.
It took Turriff until 16 minutes to open the scoring through Cammy Bowden.
Fort William were quick to respond with Stephen McGhie coming close to levelling the scores, but his effort was tipped wide of the post.
The flood gates then opened with Michael Ironside and Mike Ewen joining Bowden on the score sheet.
Fort William created a couple of chances but both were saved by the Turriff keeper.
Once again, United countered but their initial efforts were denied by Callum Ligertwood. Eventually Angus Grant got his first of five goals for the afternoon at the end of the first half, leaving the visitors with a six-goal deficit. All was not lost in the first half, however, as new Fort William signing Greg Millar salvaged a goal for his side on the stroke of half-time to offer some consolation. United started the second half well and continued to dominate play. A Grant brace, followed by another from Ewen to complete his hat-trick, meant Fort William were facing another double-figure defeat after 55 minutes.
Grant finally got the 10th in the 63rd minute before getting his fifth goal five minutes later. Substitute Rory Brown rounded off the scoring with a strike in the 83rd minute.
MacMorran told the Lochaber Times after the match: ‘To have that score line is demoralising. They were good going forward. But if you can’t defend, you’re going to get punished.’
Looking ahead to this Saturday’s fixture against Keith, MacMorran said: ‘Boys that weren’t available for Saturday are back for this Saturday’s game so there should be a more settled side.’