INVERURIE Locos hit six of the best to floor Fort William and move on to play Fraserburgh in the next round of the new SFA Challenge Cup - and a win in that one could see them heading to Huntly in the semis.
The weather was not to be the winner o
n the day because the paying fans were to see a side entertain them with some great goals and their tally now rises to 12 in three games, an impressive average of four per outing.
Gary Nicol and Neil McLean were back in the fray and both players were to have a huge influence on the result, particularly the former.
Scott Michie brought out the first of a string of impressive saves from Fort keeper Mark MacDonald. Michie picked up the ball after floating out wide, beating the offside trap and drove goalwards. The striker then drove the ball low, with MacDonald managing to get the slightest of touches to parry the ball round the post.
The chances flew in, and it was Gary Nicol's turn to see MacDonald ruin his scoring chances. Tommy Wilson's deep pass down the left flank was caught by Neil McLean at the byline. The winger's cross was closely watched by Nicol, with the striker's cushioned header being dramatically tipped over the bar.
On the half hour, a brilliant move produced the opening goal. Simon Scott pushed up the left side, placing the ball deep into the centre of the pitch, a Nicol dummy allowed Allan Youngson the space to feed the ball back wide to Nicol. He then unselfishly rolled the ball across the Fort William box for Neil McLean to slide the ball into the open net.
Nicol was given first choice for a promising looking free kick on the edge of the box. And with a minute left until half time, the striker confidently stepped up to the ball and floated it over the wall and straight past MacDonald into the back of the net.
Fort William replied three minutes into the second half. Johnathan Hewitt, their most consistent striker last season, reduced the deficit to just one, driving a ball straight down the middle, giving Jarvie no chance.
With 53 minutes played Locos produced a fine passage of play to walk the ball into the net. The move started off with Scott Michie and Youngson, eventual scorer Nicol preventing the ball from running out of play and played the ball back to Wilson on the edge of the six yard box.
With the help of Youngson, Nicol found himself back in possession and had the easiest of tap ins in front of an open net to extend the Locos lead.
As the halfway point of the second half, Locos strengthened their attack by adding Singer. This decision paid dividends as the winger grabbed the first of his double after being on for only five minutes.
With 61 minutes gone, McLean produced yet another lung busting run to split the Fort William defence, his deep cross was then met by the head of Singer who places the ball downwards at the back post, flicking the ball perfectly between the keeper and the post.
Ten minutes later, and with the addition of Nicky Gordon, Locos then made it 5-1 to the home side. Gordon drifted wide to collect the ball before cutting it back across the edge of the 18 yard box. This allowed Singer to pick the ball up and place it past the keeper and into the side of the net.
Singer and Nicol, both the men on two goals and able free kick takers, stood over the ball. For a free kick which was to produce the final goal. As Morag Pirie blew her whistle, Nicol instantly flicked the ball over the half ready wall and past the unsuspecting keeper to wrap up his well deserved hat-trick and a deserved 6-1 victory
Inverurie Locos: Jarvie, McCulloch, Scott, Wilson, Simpson (Gordon 70), Mess, Milne (Singer 55), Youngson, Michie(McKinstry 70), Nicol, McLean. Subs: McKimmie, Calder.
Fort William: Macdonald, Hazeltone, Quigg (Lopez 75), Martin, Cooper, Haggerty, Pearson, Kerr, Mackintosh, Duncan, Hewitt. Subs: Lewandowski, Hendry.
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