Fort William within reach of Premiership comeback

A remarkable 3-0 win at Glasgow Mid Argyll, which ended the home team’s promotion challenge, sees Fort William finish their season tantalisingly close to a return to the Marine Harvest Premiership.

But a spectacular 7-1 defeat for already promoted Kilmallie at Inveraray means that the Argyll side will go up if they win their final game away to Beauly on October 6.

Fort co-manager Victor Smith said: “The two-week wait will be terrible on our nerves.

“We took a battering in the first half but goalkeeper Paul MacKay and our defence were superb and kept their nerve. James Tangey is 26 but Ally MacRae and Ryan Boyle are both 17 while Ruaridh Shaw is 18 and they stood firm, showing great promise for the future.”

The gamble of playing Arran MacPhee, whose season seemed over after knee surgery, paid off when he scored in 67 and 73 minutes, the latter a penalty, as it was Fort’s turn to press fiercely. Lewis Morrison’s strike 13 minutes from time clinched a fine win.

Fort boss Smith was tightlipped about under-strength Kilmallie, beaten only once, suddenly leaking seven goals at Winterton Park.

Fraser Watt and Lewis MacNicol hit doubles with Neil Campbell, Garry MacPherson and player-boss Ruaridh Graham putting Inveraray’s fate firmly in their own hands.

Smith said: “Beauly took two points off us at their place and it would be nice if they could sabotage Inveraray.

“Now that we’ve given it our best shot, all we can do is be proud of our young team, await that scoreline, and congratulate Inveraray if they prove to be the ones to go up.”

“The two-week wait will be terrible on our nerves”