Fort’s cup dream ends in 5-0 loss to Albion Rovers
Match Report by Michael O’Meara
Despite hundreds of fans streaming through the Claggan Park gates on Saturday to cheer on Fort William, the home side were unable to build on their stunning draw against Albion Rovers the previous weekend. A win would have registered one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history.
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Cliftonhill Stadium clearly left the SPFL Coatbridge side smarting and they were always going to work hard to make sure there was no repeat in Saturday’s second round replay.
The sides couldn’t be split in their first game with the encounter finishing 1-1 when Gabriel Hastings grabbed a late equaliser for the Fort.
But it was the visitors who had the first chance of the replay just 40 seconds into the match as Smart Osadolor had a strike inside the box, but his shot hit both posts and Fort managed to scramble it clear.
Fort had an injury scare 10 minutes into the game as Ross Gunn went down after getting fouled 25 yards from the goal. It looked bad for Gunn but luckily Fort’s top scorer of the season was able to continue.
Fort then had a great chance of their own two minutes later as Roddy Kennedy hit powerfully from 12 yards on his weak foot but the strike was saved by Daniel Potts in the Rovers goal.
In the 19th minute, the League Two side broke the deadlock as the Fort defence struggled to get the ball clear.
Harry Nicolson’s clearance hit Jack Brown in the back and it fell to Albion midfielder Jack Breen, who struck the ball home, doubling his goal tally in this year’s Scottish
Cup.
Fort fans howled for a penalty as Gunn surged into the box and the chasing Albion defender fell to the ground and handled the ball, but the referee gave a free kick on the edge of the area.
Two minutes later disaster struck as Ousman See put the ball in the back of the net to put the Coatbridge side 2-0 up. The goals kept on coming as the League Two side began to show the difference in levels.
See netted his brace to put his side 3-0 up as the chances of a cup upset began to recede.
Fort had a few chances of their own after Albion scored their third but the home side couldn’t get past goalkeeper Potts, who was in fine form.
As half time approached, Albion Rovers scored a fourth through Nigerian striker Smart Osadolor, effectively putting the game out of sight.
Fort manager Russell MacMorran made one change to his side at half time as Fort captain Robert Nevison was replaced by Lochaber hero Iain MacLellan.
Fort started the second half brightly playing some nice football and having some chances of their own. The second half was aggressive and the match became more feisty.
Albion Rovers had a massive chance to stretch their advantage, but Osadolor’s strike was cleared off the line magnificently by Fort William centre back Harry Nicolson.
A few minutes after that chance there was a goalmouth scramble which saw four players all going for the same ball but Fort keeper Mateusz Kulbacki eventually gathered the ball in his hands.
In 87th minute things got worse for Fort as Scott Roberts put the ball in the back of the net with a great finish into the top right hand corner to put the Wee Rovers 5-0 up, which is how the scoreline remained.
Fort return to action when they welcome Huntly to Claggan Park on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm.