Conlon urges Fort to get off mark

FORT FC boss Danny Conlon reckons results in the next few weeks can kick their Highland League season into gear.

The Claggan Parkers have played just eight games so far this term, that’s less than any other side in the division and they face a stern examination when they go to sixth-placed Lossiemouth on Saturday.

Their high-flying hosts sit just six points behind leaders Forres Mechanics and will see Fort’s visit as a chance to put pressure on the front-runners.

However, Fort emerged from a 1-0 defeat against Turriff United and 2-0 loss against then leaders Nairn County with plenty of credit for their doughty performances.

Brora Rangers beat pointless Strathspey Thistle 2-1 on Saturday in the league, meaning Fort and the Jags are the only sides yet to get off the mark.

Fort have three games in hand over Strathspey and have four games to make up on Brora, who have moved on to seven points in third-bottom spot.

Conlon hopes that his side will rise to the Lossie challenge as they look for results in the coming weeks to move from the last position in the table.

He explained: "The Lossie game is going to be a really difficult one for us. They have had a tremendous start to the season, having won at Buckie and Cove. Lossiemouth used to be regarded as a middle-to-bottom half of the table team, but they are up the top end on merit because of their excellent results and performances.

"They stick to the same system and they are always very competitive, so we’ll have to be at our best.

"The good news from our point of view is that, unless things change at training at the end of this week, we should travel with our strongest squad of the year, which would be a big bonus for us. That would certainly give me food for thought ahead of our next two games.

"After the Lossie game, we have Strathspey at home and Rothes away. It’s time that we really build on our encouraging performances and try to get points on the board. Only by doing that will it show that we are moving in the right direction. I think if we can get a result or two then it can really help to kick-start our season."

The manager added: "Getting off the bottom would give the players such a boost in confidence.

"In some ways, perhaps a draw would have been better for us between Brora and Strathpsey at the weekend because it would have kept Brora within touching distance, but they have still to come to Claggan, so we’ll see what happens before that."

* This Sunday, Fort’s under-15s and under-17s are away to Brora, while the under-13s will take on Caithness, possibly in Dingwall.