Lossiemouth finished their season with a disappointing defeat to Fort William at Claggan Park. The hosts took the lead in the first half but, despite numerous chances to level, Lossie could not force the ball over the line, and headed home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Lossie made the trip south without Shawn Scott (suspended), Steven Sim, Gary Macdonald and manager Charlie Charlesworth, while Lossie United forward Brian Whitlock was drafted into the squad. Fort William went into the game in the middle of their usual end of season run of form, having secured recent wins against Huntly, Brora, Inverurie Locos, and a point against Deveronvale.

The hosts started slowly and Lossie should have taken advantage early on. Ross Archibald found himself through on goal but John Campbell was at his feet to save before the youngster could shoot.

Quarter of an hour in and Nikki Smith had a real chance to open the scoring after slicing through the Fort defence, but the man who opened the scoring for Lossie this season missed the chance to end his first SHFL campaign with a goal, scuffing a tame shot wide of the post. Smith had a second chance minutes later, getting on the end of an accurate cross from Colin Charlesworth but blazing the ball over the bar.

Since the disappointment of the cup semi-final defeat Lossie had played without the flow and rhythm that saw April pass off so successfully, and Fort William took advantage of the visitors’ sluggishness midway through the first half when Michael ELLIS fired home from the edge of the six yard box.

Both sides had chances to score as the half drew to a close. Sam Urquhart, provider of the opener, should have done better with his shot after dribbling along the 18 yard line, while at the other end Tony Ross found himself in space outside the penalty area only to slice his shot high and wide of goal.

Half time - Fort William 1 Lossiemouth 0

Fort started the second half with purpose and Lossie had Darren McConnachie to thank for keeping the visitors in the game. Sam Urquhart again set up Michael Ellis, this time for a header, but Ellis’ diving effort was plamed away from goal by McConnachie. At the other end Lossie were wasteful from a corner, with JJ Urquharts curling ball sailing across the face of goal and past three unmarked Lossie players.

Desperate to avoid a first defeat in two years to a side below them in the league, Lossie upped their game and pushed hard for an equaliser. Nikki Smith was again causing problems, first forcing Campbell into a save at his near post, before a low cross from Kevin Flett sailed across the face of goal to a waiting Sean McIntosh only for the Lossie man to sidefoot the ball at Campbell rather than put the laces through it, and the shot was saved.

Lossie looked to have equalised in the last minute when, after a spell of penalty box pinball, the ball seemed to cross the line before being deflected clear and into the grateful arms of Campbell.

Almost immediately after, referee Douglas Ross blew for time on the game and on Lossies season, sending the Coasters home frustrated but no doubt relieved to be at the end of a long campaign.

Full time - Fort William 1 Lossiemouth 0

Teams

Lossiemouth -  Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie, Colin Charlesworth, Sam Milton, JJ Urquhart, Kevin Stuart, Dan Smith, Anthony Ross, Martin McMullan, Ross Archibald, Nikki Smith, Kevin Flett
Fort William - Fort William - John Campbell, Stephen Hendry, Ian Foggo, Andy Martin, Darren Quigg, Graham Bamber, Sean Ellis, Danny Mackintosh, Sam Urquhart, Richard Finnis, Michael Ellis

Lossiemouth -  Lossiemouth - Sean McIntosh (Ross Archibald, 64), Brian Whitlock (Anthony Ross, 70)  
Fort William -  Michael Gillespie (Richard Finnis, 64), Edward Fuller (Michael Ellis, 80), Lewis Corbett (Danny Mackintosh, 88)

Lossiemouth - None
Fort William - None

Referee

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