Rejigged Fort upset the rhythm at Bonar Bridge
Yet another rejigged Fort William side returned to winning ways as Bonar Bridge flopped in the second half to a 4-0 defeat, writes Peter Newman.
The Claggan Park men arrived with a number of players missing due to injuries and suspensions.
Debuts were given to four players, with Morgan Birrell, Damian Paluga, Finlay MacDonald and Michael McLean all pulling on the gold for the first time.
Over the season, Bonar have developed a regular rhythm to their matches: stiff resolve followed by flaccid subsidence in the second half.
Here it was no different. All square up to the half hour mark, Bonar had thrust through the defence on a couple of occasions. Goalkeeper Kit Fletcher had to be agile and willing to get down sharply to deny the home-side striker.
However, at this point, a free kick was awarded in the final third.
Striker Davie Neil, who had made his debut last week against Orkney, grabbed his first goal for the club as he beat the keeper to the aerial ball and bundled his finish into the net.
Flying full back Kieran Lopez was the next player to make an incursion into the Bonar box.
Penetrating the defence, he was chopped down by the full back for a penalty which Lerlah Hay rolled wide of the post.
In the second half, however, Hay would make amends as he scythed through the ranks to double the advantage with a sparkling finish.
As the vigour went out of Bonar, Finlay MacDonald broke into the box and crafted a cultured finish past the defence off the side of his ankle.
Finally, Jamie McConnel put the tie to bed as he gathered a cultured, 40-yard defence-wrecking pass from centre half and skipper Mikey Rodgers and fired home from outside the box.
Manager Alan Gray said: “This was an important three points - we were without several first team regulars for numerous reasons and had nine trialists in the squad, four of whom made their first team debuts.
“Bonar Bridge have improved over the season and made themselves difficult to break down so we are very happy with the victory.”
Fort William are away again next week, taking on Loch Ness in Fortrose, kick off 2pm.