Greens for go as cans hit four past Fort
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THE 4-0 scoreline points towards a confident and comfortable win for Forres
Mechanics, but a slightly uneasy Charlie Rowley reflected on “how goals change games” after the final whistle at Mosset Park.
“We didn’t have enough quality, speed, direction or intensity to get them out of position and break them down. They were dogged, determined and got men behind the ball in order to make it is difficult as possible.
“Then once we got the first goal we opened them up at wil, which just shows how goals can change games. We gained a huge confidence boost while their heads went down a bit and we did well to go on to score four.”
For just over an hour Fort William had stuck to their task and frustrated the Mechanics, who were looking slightly sluggish, but as soon as their noses went in front it was Green for go with sub Ryan helping himself to a double much to the relief of Rowley.
“Ryan has been carrying a knock since the Elgin game and he is now getting back to full fitness again.”
The first half saw Fort William focus on trying to minimise the space the Mechanics were allowed, and the Can Cans struggled to find a chink in the Claggan Park side’s armour. Chances were at a premium with Jordan Main and Lee Fraser firing wide with the only clear glimpses of goal.
Having lost to Fort at home before, Forres had to be wary of a counter from the visitors and Michael Ellis, playing in behind Logan Barker, broke forward into a good position only to place his shot straight at Stuart Knight.
The game needed a catalyst, and it was one of the summer signings who provided it. Willie Barron’s teasing deep delivery tempted Garry Tweedie into making that extra effort required to send his header past trialist goalkeeper Michael McCallum.
Tweedie was soon to make way for Ryan Green and the striker made the most of his 21 minutes on the park. He used his frame to good effect, forcing a Simon Allan corner over the line in the 75th minute.
Forres were now in full flow and they added a third goal two minutes later with sub Simon Allan and Willie Barron teaming up well to create the chance for Lee Fraser, who fired home his third of the campaign.
It became four goals in the space of twenty minutes when Ryan Green rose majestically to meet another fine cross from Willie Barron and he nodded the ball back across the keeper and into the corner of the net.
That goal was enough to move Forres up to fourth on goal difference and, next weekend, they travel to Fraserburgh, another one of the teams that have started the campaign with a win and a draw.
Before then, the focus will fall on the defence of the North of Scotland Cup with a trip to Mackessack Park to face Rothes on Wednesday (8pm) already at the forefront of the manager’s mind.
Looking ahead to the game he said, “It will be a big ask of us and we will have to make a marked improvement for this game because I feel Rothes will have that bit more quality than Fort William. We are not going down there with our heads down because we are confident and are on a decent run of form but we will have to be wary of them.”
Forres Mechanics: Knight, Fraser, Main, Grant, Scott, MacPherson, Barron, McNab (Bremner 60), Fraser, Tweedie (Green 69), Moore (Allan (57). Subs: Sharp, Davidson.
Goals: Tweedie (61), Green (75, 81), Fraser (77).
Fort William: McCallum, Macrae, Campbell, Foggo, Martin, Gillespie (Corbett 22), Maclean (Munro 73), Quigg, Ellis, Barker (Maclellan 60), Macdonald. Subs: Ellis, Soto.
Booked: Quigg (59), Ellis (86).
Referee: C. Spence.
Gazette Gold Star: Ross MacPherson: “Chucky” was quick to snuff out any fledgling Fort attacks while cajoling the players around him in an attempt to provide the spark which didn’t seem to be there during the first half. He is developing into a leader on the park.
