Ten out of ten for Turrif as Fort William collapse
One positive for Fort William was the return of Michael Ellis to the squad
Seven second half Turrif goals made for another difficult afternoon for Fort William at Claggan Park on Saturday despite a spirited first half performance.
Goals either side of half-time for Turriff broke the resilience of a willful Fort William and ultimately spurred the visitors on to secure a ten-goal victory - the first time the club has scored ten goals in the Highland League.
The home side’s team sheet included a handful of trialists again this week as manager Kris Anderson continues to bolster his squad.
Angus Grant’s brace after 26 minutes was an early warning call Fort William were in for another heavy defeat in the league. However, the defence rallied and stemmed Turriff’s attacks for the majority of the first half, mainly thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Callum Ligertwood.
However, Grant’s hat-trick goal on the stroke of halftime sent the home side into the dressing room facing a huge task in the second half.
Grant got his fourth of the match 13 minutes after the re-start courtesy of a penalty. Five minutes later, Ross Anderson added another as Fort William’s defence, resolute in the first half, was being unpicked in the waves of Turriff attacks.
Owen Cairns made it six nil on the hour mark, before substitute Mauro Jesus got on the scoresheet minutes later. Forward Michael Ewen notched two goals in ten minutes for the visitors before substitute Michael Ironside rounded off Turriff’s scoring for the afternoon, getting his side’s tenth goal with a minute to go of the 90.
One positive for Fort William was the return of Michael Ellis to the squad. Marked as a trialist for this match, he came on as a substitute in the second half and made a difference in the midfield.
Fort William FC committee thanked players and fans for a well-observed minute’s silence for club legend and fan Kenny Campbell before the start of the match.
After four games, Turriff now sit fifth in the Highland League table, while Fort William remain rooted to the bottom with a goal difference of -36.
Fort William are away to sixth-placed Inverurie Locos this Saturday, August 18, in what will be another tough encounter for the Lochaber side.