Fort William II and Kinlochshiel II face off in the for the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup Final this Saturday at Blairbeg, Drumnadrochit at 14:30 – with the big game also available to livestream from the Association’s YouTube channel.
Read the below stats to get you warmed up for the big fixture!
Made possible by:
Fort William are scoring an average of 3.85 goals per game and conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game.
Kinlochshiel are scoring an average of 2.9 goals per game and conceding an average of 3.4 goals per game
Round the clock goal getters
Fort William arrive at the Sutherland Cup final with one of the most prolific scoring records in the country. Their 77 goals across the campaign have come from every corner of the match, underlining a side that can strike at will.
The standout periods are the 15–30 and 45–60 minute spells, with 15 goals scored in each. This shows their ability to grow into games and to restart with intensity after the break. Their 4–1 win over Kilmallie and the 6–2 triumph against Glengarry both featured bursts of goals in these phases.
The 60–75 minute band is almost as strong, with 14 goals, suggesting Fort rarely allow games to drift in the later stages. Even the closing quarter-hour, often a testing time, produced 11 goals, showing endurance as well as flair. Only the opening 15 minutes, with 10 goals, could be considered their “quietest” period, though by most measures it remains potent.
Second half slips?
Defensively, the picture is solid but less even. Fort have conceded 30 goals, with the greatest vulnerability between the 45th and 75th minutes. They let in eight goals immediately after half-time and another six in the 60–75 window. The 4-1 defeat away to Newtonmore in May illustrates how they can be caught when the tempo rises after the break.
In contrast, they are relatively secure at the start and finish. Just four goals conceded in the opening 15 minutes and four in the final 15 suggest that concentration is rarely an issue when games begin or end.
The overall profile is of a side who can blow teams away with relentless scoring across multiple phases of play, but who must guard against lapses in the heart of the second half.
Fast starters
Kinlochshiel’s season has been a turbulent one, marked by flashes of attacking strength but occasionally hampered by defensive instability. Their 55 goals scored show a side capable of hitting hard, while the 64 conceded underline where problems have lain.
In attack, their best period is the opening 15 minutes, with 13 goals. Shiel have proven adept at starting quickly, as shown in their early strikes at home to Newtonmore. They also maintain a healthy output before and after the interval, scoring 10 goals in the 30–45 window and 11 in the 45–60 period, suggesting a team that thrives when the game is at its busiest.
Refocusing a must
However, that early energy is often undermined by defensive frailties. They have conceded 11 goals in the first 15 minutes and another 10 in the following quarter-hour, meaning their matches frequently open in chaotic fashion.
After half-time, the vulnerabilities persist. The 45–60 and 75–90 minute periods are their weakest, with 12 goals conceded in each.
The Bells are ringing out for goals
Graham Campbell is Fort William's top scorer with an impressive 24 goals this campaign so far, his tally combined with Morrison's 21 mean that they account for just under 60% of Fort's strikes.
(P) Jay & Duncan - Let's Get Ready to Rhumble
Jay MacRae and Duncan MacMillan sit top of the tree for Kinlochshiel with 26 goals between them, just under half of their club's total tally this campaign - both have also already scored against Fort William this year.
Fort high flying
Fort William are the form side coming into this weekend's clash having only dropped one point out of the last 10 available.
Kinlochshiel Road to the Final
0-6 vs Lochcarron
2-2 (win on pens) vs Lovat
2-3 vs Glenurquhart
4-0 vs Glasgow Mid Argyll
Fort William Road to the Final
4-1 vs Kilmallie
2-1 vs Lochaber
1-5 vs Newtonmore
2-3 vs Lochside Rovers
Unable to make the big game? The match will be livestreamed on the Camanachd Association's YouTube Channel, so you needn't miss a second!
