This was a convincing win for Buckie in a match played in foul conditions with referee Dan MacFarlane earning praise from both camps for refusing to abandon the game.
Played in howling gales and driving rain it was never a great spectacle but Jags manager Graeme Stewart and Fort coach Kevin Munro praised MacFarlane for refusing to buckle to the conditions.
Stewart said: “I’ve played in much worse and it wasn’t dangerous, we wanted it on, and it was definitely the right decision.”
The home side played with the wind at its backs in the first half, going into the break with a 5-1 lead and Fort coach Munro had no complaints.
He said: “The referee got it right. The real danger was in the first 10 minutes of the second half, when the rain got a bit heavier.
“But after that the rain got bearable and in fairness to both teams there was nothing silly and no silly tackles.”
The home side took the lead after 10 minutes when Kai Ross flicked on Andy Low’s corner and Kevin Fraser tapped the ball in at the back post.
The Jags then scored two goals in two minutes to take control of the match.
Stuart Taylor beat goalkeeper Ryan Hunter before Ross unleashed a stunning shot from 18 yards for the third.
Buckie attacker Scott Adams netted the fourth goal when the on loan Peterhead forward tapped in Taylor’s assist with ease.
Fort William had a measure of hope when Jags defender Chris Angus put the ball into his own net from an Iain MacLellan corner, but they were four behind again before the break when Adams teed up Fraser for his second.
Buckie were in charge and Taylor scored his second goal before Fort completed the scoring through MacLellan, whose shot squirmed through Ross Salmon’s grip.