Robert

This has appeared in the Oban Times. Sounds like the SFA don’t want to get involved in the dispute between the club and the league: https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2022/04/23/fort-william-fc-faces-relegation-from-highland-league-after-player-eligibility-wrangle/

A 2-0 win to end the ladies’ season. Anyone there to comment on the game?

He’s a Geordie so has a pretty distinct accent!! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Horner We released him and he’s had his betting demons so I’d be surprised if we are bringing him back. Still think you are at the wind up!

He’s been without a club since last May. Are you at the wind up or is this for real?

Shaun Rooney for St Johnstone, Jack Brown for Peterhead and Scott Boden for Borehamwood today. Matthew Cooper scored an own goal as Elgin lost to Cowdenbeath, with Ross Draper getting Elgin’s goal.

The livestream was good, other than the camera not picking up the nearside touch line and the commentators were good, particularly Andy Ritchie who was very complimentary about the work done by some of our players, picking out Doran and Mckay in particular. Not a classic but we closed the game down and did enough to get the win with no apparent injuries, although the timing of Doran’s may indicate he was carrying a knock. With more composure, Samuels and Walsh would both have had goals, whilst the ‘keeper made a great save to keep a Deas header out, so we really should have had a comfortable win.

Full time. 1-0 and job done in terms of third place. Not the best game but we did have chances we should have taken. Morton had most of the ball in the second half but seldom troubled us. Good to see MacGregor back and his goal was well taken.

Harper on for Samuels.

Should be 2 up. Great break by Walsh with Mckay in support and he should have scored but blocked on the line.

Walsh on for Doran after 49 minutes. Doran has had a pretty good game. Presumably to rest him for the weeks ahead whilst giving Walsh game time.

Pretty scrappy game but we just about deserve to be ahead. MacGregor’s goal the only real highlight although Samuels should have scored when played in well by Doran and Mckay had a decent effort after a great ball by Carson. We continue to play too many long high balls. Morton have had plenty of the ball in our half but have not troubled us too much. Welsh and Samuels both booked so maybe we will have changes in the second half. We could do with another goal.

Not really. Just bundled the player over after he gave the ball away. Morton were calling for a red but it wasn’t a clear goal scoring opportunity.

MacGregor! 1-0! Shot with his left foot from just outside the box into bottom corner. Morton gave him space but a very well placed finish to beat the goalie. Carson picked him out from a throw in.

Samuels played in by Doran and should have buried it but took an extra touch. Scrappy so far. MacGregor looking good though.

Welsh booked after 50 seconds after a poor touch gave the ball away and fouling the player who picked it up. Waken up guys!!

Hopefully they are not risks for the play off games.

Short of subs again. We know about Devine and Allardice. Anyone know the issues that mean we don’t have Sutherland or Chalmers?

Done some digging. It sounds like many of the players they brought in were eligible for league games but signed too late to be eligible for the play offs! There was also an issue with the pitch for the second leg. Seems they didn’t know the rules regarding player eligibility and couldn’t argue their way out if it. A sad end indeed. More here: http://www.highlandfootballleague.com/News/Item/2113_Highland_Pyramid_Playoff_Cancelled_-_SHFL_Statement.aspx Fort William have stated there are untruths in the SHFL statement, which is hard to believe. See the comments below the copy if the statement: https://www.fortwilliamfc.com/news_article.php?id=48

I had not picked up on that and I agree it is a sad end to the club’s time in the Highland League. I was brought up in Fort William many years ago but before they were anywhere near the Highland League. They only had occasional cup games then. The town produced the likes of Donald Park, Duncan Shearer and John McGinley (the only one of the three to play for the club with around 60 goals in 90 games) but even that did not inspire youngsters to support the club or get involved. They have rarely been anywhere bar last or second last in the Highland League and it is fair to say the fans of the other teams hate them. The pitch has been an achilles heal and having to play their home matches away from home was a major disadvantage. Their form had improved lately but too little too late. They got a new Chairman during the season but he is a bit of a loose cannon and brought a lot of players in from English amateur teams at the expense of locals. He talked things up in this article: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/3811482/the-old-fort-williams-gone-chairman-john-trew-on-a-new-era-for-lochaber-side/ I wonder if this is the end or whether they will continue in the North Caledonian League next season.

Personally I’d like to see a good performance and a comfortable win tomorrow, but I’d take a scrappy 1-0 win as long as we avoid injuries. Momentum can be key at this stage in the season so ending the normal league campaign with two wins needs to be the target. Partick have Dunfermline and Ayr to play, both scrapping to avoid the relegation play off, so they are likely to drop points, but for once we should keep things in our own hands rather than relying on others. I wonder if MacGregor is match fit enough to get a start. Getting him game time before the play offs could be vital. And hopefully it is a much better livestream than Tuesday’s debacle. I recall the Morton commentators being good fun and informative so hopefully it is the same guys doing it.

The club’s report on a disappointing game and even more disappointing viewing experience: https://ictfc.com/match-report-queen-of-the-south-2-1-ictfc

Credit Queen of the South: I’ve had an e-mail refunding me the payment for the livestream. They deserved to win. We didn’t turn up and if it wasn’t for Chalmers there would not have been any bright spots from the game. Hopefully it gives us the kick up the rear end we need to end the season well. Where is Moog’s positivity? After watching (some) if that we all need it. I’ve just read the BBC report. Dodds was happy with our first half performance. Speechless at that!

Down to 10 for closing stages. Devine off injured after goal line clearance.

MacGregor on for Welsh.

Walsh on for Doran.