Ewen aims to bridge gap against Inverurie Locos
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BOSS Ally Ewen reckons it will be a big ask for his troops to keep out ex-Scottish Premiership hot shot Iain Vigurs when Fort William host Inverurie Locos this Saturday.
The ex-Motherwell, Ross County and Caley Thistle wide midfielder has been playing as a triallist for Locos in a bid to boost match fitness and win a contract at a full-time professional club and he’s likely to play in his third and final game at Claggan Park this weekend.
The 27-year-old isn’t the only player who was plying his trade in the Scottish top-flight last season to turn out in the Highland League this campaign – Vigurs’ former skipper at Ross County Richard Brittain is now player/manager at champions Brora Rangers, and his ex-Staggies and Motherwell team-mate Paul Lawson lined up against him in Locos’ 4-3 win on Saturday at home to Formartine United.
Ewen believes there’s a big gulf between the teams fighting it out at the top of the table and those scrapping to stay off the bottom and believes his players can only do their best against the leading clubs.
He said: "It’s chalk and cheese at the top and bottom of the league. Locos have got plenty of money to spend, but they’re not the only ones taking in Scottish Premiership players.
"I don’t like to go backs-to-the wall in these games – we’ll try and have a go at them. These teams can be beaten, but it’s a big, big ask."
Missing for Fort this weekend will be goalkeepers Robin Harvey and Dougie MacLennan, defenders Iain Foggo, Darren Quigg and Craig Mainland and midfielders Stefan MacRitchie, Danny Mackintosh and Kieran Forbes.
Richie Munro will play in goal, while Lewis Campbell and Tony Miller will also be available again.
Last weekend, Fort were hit for six by sharp-shooting Forres Mechanics.
Lee Fraser was on target with a hat-trick, Liam Baxter struck a brace and substitute Paul Smith weighed in with the other.
Ewen felt the scoreline flattered the Can Cans, but accepted his players put in a below-par second half showing.
He said: "I think we were a bit hard done by, we competed well in the first half.
"We didn’t have the best of luck before the game – our goalkeeper Dougie MacLennan got injured just before kick-off, so young Robin Harvey was thrown in with just a moment’s notice. He performed very well under the circumstances.
"I did feel we matched them in the first half, we missed three or four good chances and probably should have gone in level at the break.
"But in the second half we posted missing, it was very poor by our standards and it was as if they had an extra man.
"We knew Lee Fraser was their danger man and he proved that by getting a hat-trick."
But despite three defeats from their first three competitive games, Ewen points to last season, where home defeats to Buckie Thistle and Strathspey Thistle at the start didn’t stop them marching towards a brilliant 13th place finish.
He added: "Certainly the mood in the camp is still good, the players are quite upbeat.
"I believe and I think the players believe we’ve got a good team, and once we’re full strength I’ve every confidence that we’ll spring one or two surprises this season."
