Boss swoops to score six new Fort players
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CALUM MacLean has snapped up six new signings ready for Fort William’s competitive kick-off this weekend.
And the Claggan Park boss reckons they will bring the pace and energy needed to get off the bottom this season.
MacLean, who will see his new-look side in AJG North of Scotland Cup first round action at Lossiemouth on Saturday, raided assistant boss Ally Ewen’s former club Muir of Ord Rovers to land trio Ryan MacLeod, Craig Mainland and Lorne Mackay, while also swooping for Oban Saints pair Matthew Rippon and Stephan MacFarlane.
The sixth player to commit his future to Fort is Jack Mackay, who arrives from Brora Rangers under-19s.
Ex-Rovers pair Mackay and Mainland, who star for Lovat Shinty Club, can play in defence or midfield, while MacLeod can operate in midfield or up front.
Striker Rippon has been earmarked by MacLean as someone to add much-needed firepower, and MacFarlane has played in midfield during trial matches.
Ex-Brora youngster Mackay also bolsters MacLean’s front line.
The Fort boss, who took up the reins on a permanent basis after the side turned in some impressive performances under his interim stewardship, believes his new recruits could add the verve and creativity to help his side climb a few places.
He told the LN: "They’ve got pace and energy which is important for us.
"I’ve been very impressed by Matthew, there will be goals this season from him.
"It’s a big step up for them, but as the season goes on they’ll be OK – they’re not scared of hard work and that’s the main thing."
The sextet of new blood put pen to paper after Monday night’s 6-2 friendly defeat at home to a Ross County side containing mainly under-20s with a few first-teamers.
The Lochaber side were under the cosh early on, and it took the Staggies just four minutes to get off the mark through Kyle MacLeod.
Liam Boyce added a second after 20 minutes before two quick-fire strikes from Marc Klok and Tony Dingwall just before half-time put the visitors out of sight.
MacLeod added his second to make it 5-0 on the hour before Fort’s Ryan MacLeod pulled one back.
Steven Ross netted a sixth for the Dingwall side five minutes from time, but Davie Forbes struck another for Fort a minute later to give the home side the final word.
MacLean was encouraged by a battling second half effort, and felt the game provided his side with a good work-out.
He said: "It was a good run out, it was a very good Ross County side and they included a couple of first team players as well.
"The lads enjoyed it, and although we were 4-0 down at half-time we scored a couple in the second half which was encouraging."
This weekend’s clash at Lossie represents MacLean’s first competitive encounter since returning to the hot-seat on a permanent basis, and he’s looking forward to seeing his side have a go.
He stressed: "It’s a winnable game, Lossie are quite a stuffy side and they’re hard to break down, but we’ll go there and have a go."
Young goalkeeper Robin Harvey is hoping to be fit enough to make the squad, while Barna Tot, Duncan Campbell and Danny Mackintosh should all feature this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Fort have been handed a trip to Lowland League side Edinburgh City in the Scottish Cup preliminary round.
The Scottish capital club were knocked out 2-0 at Fraserburgh in the second round last season, while Fort will be hoping to improve on the 3-1 replay defeat they suffered at Newton Stewart in the first round last campaign.
MacLean admitted: "I don’t know an awful lot about them, but they’ve played a couple of other Highland League clubs and done well.
"The Scottish Cup is a big thing so we’ll look forward to a good weekend down in Edinburgh."
The sextet of new blood put pen to paper after Monday night’s 6-2 friendly defeat at home to a Ross County side containing mainly under-20s with a few first-teamers.
The Lochaber side were under the cosh early on, and it took the Staggies just four minutes to get off the mark through Kyle MacLeod.
Liam Boyce added a second after 20 minutes before two quick-fire strikes from Marc Klok and Tony Dingwall just before half-time put the visitors out of sight.
MacLeod added his second to make it 5-0 on the hour before Fort’s Ryan MacLeod pulled one back.
Steven Ross netted a sixth for the Dingwall side five minutes from time, but Davie Forbes struck another for Fort a minute later to give the home side the final word.
MacLean was encouraged by a battling second half effort, and felt the game provided his side with a good work-out.
He said: "It was a good run out, it was a very good Ross County side and they included a couple of first team players as well.
"The lads enjoyed it, and although we were 4-0 down at half-time we scored a couple in the second half which was encouraging."
This weekend’s clash at Lossie represents MacLean’s first competitive encounter since returning to the hot-seat on a permanent basis, and he’s looking forward to seeing his side have a go.
He stressed: "It’s a winnable game, Lossie are quite a stuffy side and they’re hard to break down, but we’ll go there and have a go."
Young goalkeeper Robin Harvey is hoping to be fit enough to make the squad, while Barna Tot, Duncan Campbell and Danny Mackintosh should all feature this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Fort have been handed a trip to Lowland League side Edinburgh City in the Scottish Cup preliminary round on August 16.
The Scottish capital club were knocked out 2-0 at Fraserburgh in the second round last season, while Fort will be hoping to improve on the 3-1 replay defeat they suffered at Newton Stewart in the first round last campaign.
MacLean admitted: "I don’t know an awful lot about them, but they’ve played a couple of other Highland League clubs and done well.
"The Scottish Cup is a big thing so we’ll look forward to a good weekend down in Edinburgh."
