PICTURES: Lossiemouth defeat Fort William to reach North of Scotland Cup semi-finals and manager Joe Russell gives his reaction
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LOSSIEMOUTH reached the North Cup semi-finals in style, reinforcing manager Joe Russell’s belief that his young squad is learning fast.
The Coasters hosted an improved Fort William side and came away with a 4-1 victory to earn a semi at Brora Rangers next month.
Stoppers Fergus Edwards and Lewis McAndrew netted their first-ever senior goals to give Lossie an early 2-0 lead.
Pegged back by a quick Fort response, the home side struck again through Fraser Forbes on 17 minutes, to take a 3-1 lead into the half-time break.
Russell said his side showed good game management to frustrate a Fort reaction, and sub Ross Elliott came on to add the cherry on the icing for Lossie with a late strike.
“It was a potential banana skin because no-one knew what Fort were going to be like,” said Russell.
“The boys worked really hard in the first half and played some good stuff, so we were delighted to get through.
"Over the last couple of years, not getting that first goal and missing chances has led to our heads going down and we seem to have reversed that a touch.
“Now we can get the early goals and keep our noses in front, or like Locos (recent 2-2 draw) we can drag ourselves back in the game.
“That’s where the experience is coming for them as players, starting to understand situations when you are 3-1 up you don’t need to bomb forward but just keep it tight for a while and frustrate them. They are learning, their experience levels are rising quite rapidly this season and it’s good to see.”
Lossie also won in the league at home to Wick on Saturday, as strikes by Brodie Allen and a last-minute Liam Archibald winner claimed a 2-1 success.
A test of how far the Coasters have progressed this season will arrive tomorrow when they visit Strathspey Thistle, who won 4-0 at Clach in midweek and are one of Lossie’s bogey teams in recent years.
“Strathspey have just edged us in a couple of games where they have had the cutting edge to get the goals. It won’t be easy after the score they had but the boys will be up for it.”
Jared Kennedy is still out with a hamstring injury while Connor Macaulay pulled up in the warm-up on Wednesday and will be assessed.
After the Strathspey game, Lossiemouth welcome Clach to Grant Park on Wednesday.
