Steve B the Groundhopper

2.15pm 1  November  2026 Scottish Highland League, Under 18 North Fort William U18 1 Wick Academy U18 4 (att 28) Matches like this appeal only if they don't involve going out of my way. As we were heading home from Inverness anyway, and going via Fort William is the more scenic route, it was a good option. I'll also only watch such matches if the venue differs from a club's first team ground. Fort William's first team play at Claggan Park, while their youth and reserve sides are based at the town's Lochaber High School. It's a typical 3G pitch, with the playing area floodlit and enclosed by a high fence. Spectators are not permitted to stand inside the 'cage', although a couple of open gates do allow unrestricted views from the corners. Wick's youngsters, faced with an eight hour round trip to fulfil the fixture, are going well in the league and were ultimately comfortable victors. But it wasn't a straightforward afternoon for the visitors. They ...