Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald delighted with club’s first trophy since 2012 Highland League title
Forres Mechanics boss Steven MacDonald has said the feeling of bringing home the club’s first trophy in 13 years is “just fantastic”.
Goals from Kyle MacLeod, Ryan McRitchie and Calum Frame sealed the Can-Cans’ first trophy since the 2012 Highland League title, sparking wild celebrations among the players - many of whom are celebrating a first cup success. It’s Forres’ ninth North Cup in total.
Manager Steven MacDonald said: “It's huge, isn't it?
“It's been a long time since we won a trophy, as has been well-documented.
“It's just a fantastic feeling to see everyone smiling and to win something for all the hard work everyone's put in.
"It's nice to get a reward for the boys and for them to win something.
“A lot of them are very young and it's their first medal. It gives them that belief that they can do it again.”
MacDonald added that everyone was “well under contract” and that he isn’t worried about the squad getting picked apart.
Forres trailed 2-0 inside 41 minutes thanks to goals from Troy Cooper and James Anderson, but Kyle MacLeod’s well-taken finish three minutes into first half injury time put the game right back in the melting pot.
MacDonald added: “We have been questioning ourselves and others have questioned us when we go behind.
“We haven't been the best at reacting to that and it's been a struggle to come back from one behind, never mind two behind - so huge credit to the boys.
“The goal before half-time was crucial, it gave us a lifeline really and that gave us hope.”
Forres were forced into a substitution before half-time as Sam Nixon went off injured - and MacDonald made a double change at half-time for tactical reasons, taking off Jack Grant and Charlie Macdonald for Lewis Mackenzie and Kaiden Connolly.
He added: “it's a bit of a cliche but we knew we were going to need everyone.
“Some boys will rightly feel disappointed to not have started and that was the tough decision.
“We did say that we'd need everyone and we certainly did.”
The changes worked to perfection - with Forres equalising through Ryan McRitchie after dominating large spells of the second and grabbing the winning goal in extra-time when Calum Frame hammered home a penalty after Clach’s Harry Nicolson was sent off for handball.
MacDonald had a number of people to thank after the victory. The club’s committee and chairman David Mackintosh for their “unbelievable” work, Allan Frisken, head of youth at Mechanics who has been helping out with the first team but was on holiday, goalkeeper coach Robbie Donaldson and Mark Holmes, who was in the dugout last season and was in Nairn to watch the final.
There was an emotional word for David Mackay, who was assistant manager of the club last year.
David has been a “massive help”, MacDonald said, doing so much in the background despite not having time to be assistant.
Him and brother Neil, who is MacDonald’s best friend, were both at the final - despite having recently lost their dad, Sandy Mackay,
MacDonald added: “Sandy was like a dad to us all in Dingwall - for all the young boys.
“He loved his football and I really wanted to win it for him after he passed away last week, and for the boys, David and Neil, who are as I say my best friends.
“So I was quite emotional thinking about that as he is a big loss.”