Robertson coy on goal hungry Fort's cup chances
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ADAM Robertson refused to make any bold predictions after seeing his Fort side storm into the last eight of the Scottish Hydro Camanchd Cup, but the co-boss is thrilled with the An Aird club’s progress.
The Lochaber-based club notched a resounding 7-3 win over Caberfeidh on Saturday to earn a quarter-final clash at Kinlochshiel.
Despite an early exit for hot favourites Newtonmore, Robertson didn’t jump the gun, and is enjoying seeing his side improve gradually.
He said: “I wouldn’t go making any bold predictions because we’re in a rebuilding process.
“But things are going well so far and we’ve got a good young team.
Whether it’s this year or next year or after that, we’ll have to wait and see.
“We’re just taking each game as it comes, there’s not much between a lot of the teams.
it’s a game we look forward to.
“They’re Premiership opposition and it’s away from home on a pitch that won’t really suit us tactically, but it’s another challenge for us.”
Fort didn’t have it all their own way on Saturday, and were behind after just a minute when Lewis Smith put through his own net.
It didn’t take long for the home side to turn the match on its head though, with Daniel Stewart levelling in the 16th minute before Bryan Simpson edged them in front three minutes later.
Further strikes from Gordie MacKinnon and Stewart put Fort well in control at the break, before Iain MacCall cut the deficit on 55 minutes.
Arran MacPhee restored the three-goal cushion on 73 minutes for Fort, and four minutes later, Stewart netted again to grab his hat-trick.
Craig Morrison pulled another back for the visitors but Simpson had the final word five minutes from time to seal a resounding victory.
When asked if he felt his side deserved the win, Robertson said: “I think so, definitely, we played some really nice shinty in the attacking end of the field.
“We got off to a bad start but it didn’t phase anyone at all.
“We got a couple of quick goals and then we were into our rhythm.
“We conceded three goals which is a bit of a concern but we played some good shinty and overall it was a good performance.”
This weekend Fort’s attentions turn to the RBS MacTavish Plate final, and their first chance of silverware for the season when they take on North Division One side Skye at Craigard, Invergarry.
Robertson admits he’d like to get his hands on the trophy, but sees it as more of a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
He said: “It’s a new competition, we’re playing Skye who we haven’t gone up against in a number of years.
“They’ve been doing pretty well so it’ll be a difficult test.
“It’d be nice to feel a trophy in our hands and it’d be a good start for us, but that’s all it’d be.”
Neil Robertson remains sidelined for the final and Bryan Simpson will be missing due to it being his stag weekend.
Gary Innes is in a race against the clock to prove his fitness in time for the match.
Fort’s reserves are out of action this week.
Kilmallie are also through to the last eight of the Cmanachd Cup after cruising to a 4-0 success at home to Ballachulish.
A visit to Skye awaits them in the next round, though they’ll have a break this weekend.
Kilmallie reserves return from a week’s break to host Inverness in their North Division Three clash.
Lochaber face an early exit from the Camanachd Cup after a 5-3 defeat at home to Glenurquhart.
They have a week to lick their wounds before returning to the field next weekend.
