Newtonmore open up a gap at the top of North Division One
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Newtonmore’s second team opened up a two-point gap at the top of Mowi North Division 1 as they came from behind to beat the Fort William second team 2-1 in their noon throw up at the Kincraig.
The Blue and Whites’ Ross Haig and Fort William’s Struan Stephen both missed out through suspension.
Glen MacKintosh and Jamie Ross were unavailable, but Evan Menzies came into the starting line-up.
With their first team game postponed, Fort William resisted the temptation to beef up their squad.
The Fort opened with a strong wind in their favour, but Newtonmore, who lost Tommy Stewart in the first half to a head knock, made the better start and visiting keeper Stuart Disher made some good saves to keep the first 45 minutes scoreless.
Despite now having the elements, ‘More struggled from the restart and Fort William broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when Jack Kearney’s rasping shot rose high into top corner of the net from the tightest of angles.
It was the only time in the game that Kearney got away from the excellent Rasmus Cheyne in the home back line.
However, the visitors only kept their lead for three minutes as Joe Coyle followed up at the edge of the box to turn home a rebound after Xander Ross saw his strike come back off the post.
‘More had to rely on keeper Jason Macdonald before Xander Ross got the winner on 79 minutes, again from a rebound after Stuart Disher had make a superb save from Joe Coyle but Ross’s half swing gave the keeper no chance.
‘More’s Tristan Ross and Fort William’s more experienced Bryan Simpson had a great battle in the middle of the park whilst Arran Ford also played well for the hosts.
Stuart Disher had a great game in the Fort William goal.
Speaking straight after the final whistle, Newtonmore manager Peter Ross said: “I’m happy with our performance.
“We were four players short from our usual starting line-up, but we did well in what was a good, clean game.
“Fair play to Fort William too as, with their first team game off, they didn’t draft in any senior players.
“The pitch was in great condition and it’s always playable at Kincraig.”
Next up for Newtonmore is Mowi North Division 1 meeting with the Inverness first team at the Bught Park outside pitch on Saturday.
