Fort William co-manager Ali Smith’s main wish for 2018 is to see his team climb off the foot of the Highland League table.
The Lochaber men prop up the rest but they are only two points behind Strathspey Thistle.
Fort lost their 100th league goal of the season in last Saturday’s 7-0 defeat at high-flying Fraserburgh but Smith remains upbeat about his side’s chances of avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.
Smith said: “Our biggest problem this season has been having to continuously change our team selection due to injuries and unavailability but we have strengthened the squad and hopefully we will be able to pick up a few results.
“It’s not often that you can take any positives from a 7-0 defeat but I was proud of the lads for their efforts. It was just 1-0 at half-time. They never gave up but tiredness got to them late on in the game as, with only co-manager Paul MacLellan and myself on the bench, we hadn’t any opportunity to change things to help the lads on the pitch.
“Goalkeeper Robin Harvey came in as our regular keeper Martin Mackinnon, whom we have got on loan from Caley Thistle for the rest of the season, is still a week away from returning from injury.
“Robin did well and hopefully we can sign him for the season as well. He has a big heart and he’s extremely agile.”
Smith added: “We need momentum. We just don’t want to finish bottom of the table, both for personal pride and for the aims of the club.
“I have great hope in our youth system and, with a bit of forward planning, the club will reap its reward.”
