Nightmare debut for Fort FC keeper

NEW Fort William keeper Sergio Soto had a competitive debut to forget as his side crashed to a 6-0 Highland League defeat at Cove Rangers on Saturday.

Rubbing salt into the wounds was the goal in the 58 minute which was scored by his opposite number.

With the score already 3-0, Cove keeper Stuart McKenzie launched a massive clearance down field, which bounced over Soto and into the net.

Paul Emslie opened the floodgates, and his account for Cove, on the 14 minute before Danny Milne got on the end of a cross from Daniel Park to make it 2-0 at the break.

Park added another 10 minutes into the second half before McKenzie’s freak strike made it 4-0.

Milne and Park completed the scoring to round off a miserable afternoon for Fort, who are at home to champions Buckie Thistle this weekend.

This impressive Cove win shot them joint top of the table, just behind Nairn County on goal difference.

After the previous week’s 3-2 slip-up against Keith, Nairn, who reached the North of Scotland Cup semis on Wednesday with a 3-1 win at Strathspey Thistle, hit four without reply at Huntly.

There was only one goal scored in the first half, a 16 minute strike from Wayne Mackintosh after the inexperienced Black and Golds team failed to snuff out an attack.

Sub Steven MacKay headed Nairn further ahead on 75 minutes after he was set up by Conor Gethins and MacKay soon added another with a sublime finish.

Robbie Duncanson grabbed his seventh goal of the campaign to top the scoring charts when he cashed in on a mistake by Neil Reid.

Nairn now go into Wednesday’s North of Scotland Cup semi-final against Forres Mechanics full of confidence and belief.

Champions Buckie Thistle are also on nine points following their 4-0 home victory against Brora Rangers, as are Inverurie Locos who edged to a 1-0 win at Keith.

Clach stunned last season’s Highland League runners-up Deveronvale 3-0 with a second half blitz at Grant Street on Saturday.

Still reeling from their shock North of Scotland Cup exit at the hands of Halkirk on Wednesday, the Lilywhites sprang to life on the hour mark when Gordon Morrison netted from the spot after he was pulled back in the penalty box by Scott Fraser.

Allan Pollock made it 2-0 moments late when he volleyed a cracker into the net when he was picked out by Martin Callum.

Sam Urquhart finished Vale off with 10 minutes to go when he scored from eight yards after being teed up by Michael Finnis.

The Lilywhites will look to continue this form on Saturday when they travel to Fraserburgh, who are just one point ahead of the leading four teams after their 3-3 draw at Formartine United. The Broch though could have been top had they not let a 3-0 lead slip in the second half.

Forres Mechanics moved into sixth place with a 4-2 home win against Turriff United, Wick Academy continued to improve with a 3-1 win at Strathspey Thistle and it was goalless between Rothes and visitors Lossiemouth.