Pigeon drives one home to end season on a high for Fort
Fort William 2
Clachnacuddin A 1
North Caledonian League
Fort William FC finished off their league season by pipping Clachnacuddin’s A side to three league points and also retaining the Simon Shields’ Memorial Trophy at Claggan Park.
Ruairidh MacDonald celebrates his match winning goal. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
The teams compete for the trophy alongside one of the league fixtures between the sides in memory of Simon Shields who played for both clubs.
This year, in an opening 20 minute spell which saw the home side toil, it was the reserve outfit who took first blood. Aaron Thain scoring his first goal of the season in the 23rd minute.
This definitely woke up the home side who began to come to terms with the uneven nature of the Claggan turf. This paid dividends when, a little over ten minutes later, Sean Ellis levelled the scores.
It remained honours even throughout the entire rest of the match. However, just as the large crowd began to fear that they would have to settle for a draw up stepped Ruairidh ‘Pigeon’ MacDonald.
In the 89th minute, and with the referee’s final whistle blast in the offing, Pigeon exploded out of his cage and scored his fourth finish of the season to peck the points from the pockets of the Inverness side.
Fort's Sean Ellis and Clach captain Kieran Munro chase an airborne ball. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.
Manager Kyle Redpath said: “I was pleased with the boys’ determination and resilience today after going a goal down.
“Prior to Christmas, we probably would’ve crumbled but the character we showed was great and in the second half we came into the game more and created a lot of chances but the Clach keeper pulled off some outstanding saves.
“The pitch didn’t do our players any favours either but we ground out a win.
“Pigeon popped up with a winner and I was delighted to end the season on a high and retain the Simon Shields’ Memorial Trophy.
“There’s a lot of positives to take going into the next season and it was pleasing to give yet another player (Graham Laidlaw) their first team debut.
“I look forward to going into next season in a positive position with a lot to be optimistic about giving the young players coming through the system their chances.”
Rob Coull, Fort William Chairman, added: “It was an emotional day for the club as we held a minute’s applause for Fort legend Ali "Bongo" MacPherson who sadly passed away this week.
“The Fort team were determined to take all three points. It was a hard fought match with the pitch proving an extra challenge to navigate sadly.
“Yet again, everything was left on the park and an 89th minute winner meant we retained the Simon Shields’ Memorial Trophy.
“I’d like to thank the fans who came along in big numbers to cheer us on and the volunteers who make it possible each home game to provide a warm Highland welcome to Claggan Park.”
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