Fort William manager Shadab Iftikhar insists his side will fight until the end of the season.
The Lochaber outfit are 13 points adrift at the foot of the Breedon Highland League and will be confirmed as the division’s bottom club if they fail to beat Rothes at Mackessack Park, although the game is subject to a pitch inspection at noon.
Finishing 18th would see them take on Junior side Banks o’ Dee in the relegation play-off at the end of the campaign.
Boss Ifitkhar remains upbeat and said: “We’ve just got to keep building, we’ve gone through a bit of change in the last couple of weeks for various reasons.
“We’ve had a little rebuild, but we’ve got to keep going and get through the next few games as best we can.
“A couple of players have moved on because it wasn’t working out and that led to us bringing in a couple of players.
“We have a team that’s together and that’s the most important thing.
“We’ve got a minimum of five games, but it could be seven games and the important thing is to have the right attitude, the right mentality and the right desire to compete in every game.
“The squad is willing to work very hard and to give everything for the shirt.”
Opponents Rothes are looking to return to winning ways after four successive losses.
Forres building for the future
Elsewhere, Forres Mechanics face Strathspey Thistle at Seafield Park buoyed by captain Martin Groat, Callum Johnston, Thomas Brady, Cameron Hoath and Shaun Morrison signing two-year contract extensions at the weekend.
Boss Steven MacDonald added: “We’re delighted with the business we’ve done, we’ve been working really hard in the last two or three weeks to try to get the contracts more organised.
“It wasn’t organised in the way I would have wanted it so we’re changing a few things to benefit us in the future.
“It has been a busy few weeks but it will be worth it in the long run. We’re still working on a few things, it will run into the summer, things don’t happen overnight.
✍️ Cans captain sign contact extension ✍️
The club are delighted to announce that captain Martin Groat has signed a two-year contract extension with the club👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻
🟤🟡⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Aoeb0tZGPS
— ForresMechanics F.C. (@TheCansOfficial) April 2, 2022
“But we will be organised and have a good structure at the club going forward which is important.
“We’re looking for progression all the way through, everything we’re doing we’re trying to improve on and we need to continue that in the last three games.”
Strathspey are missing Robbie Donaldson, Liam McDade and Kris Innes, but new signing Jack Gilliland will be involved.
