My 6 year old has taken an interest in Fort William FC over the last couple of years ago as they continued to set records almost unprecedented in amateur football. Last season's -7 points and goal difference approaching -200 was quite normal.

During the summer they announced a partnership with Inverness Caley Thistle where they would take on some of their youngsters on loan to give them game time. This was not universally popular, with some fans believing their local players deserve to be given the nod as reward for their loyalty to the club (a recent documentary on BBC Scotland mentioned two players from the Isle of Skye who could do a round trip of 500 miles for an away game for £20). This is football for a tiny financial reward, which, in reality, doesn't come close to covering expenses. These are players who love the game, in the same way that older men might sing in a male voice choir.

Anyway, onto today's affair. Having booked a trip to Scotland earlier in the year, in part to Fort William, the fixture computer threw up an away trip this weekend. A tough match at Fraserburgh, favourites to win the league, the only side with a 100% record, scoring 6 goals in both home games this season. Last season saw the Fort lose 13-0 there. Fort had a 100% league record as well but at the foot of the table. 1 goal scored in 4 games. However, they had won 2 games in the cup.

Thinking a pre-match pint would be a good idea, I found a bar opposite the ground that allowed kids in if Fraserburgh were playing at home. It was a bit like a scene from Still Game and plenty of flies had made the gents their home.

£15 to get in, £10 for me, seemed reasonable. The ground was maybe a bit more compact than Penydarren park, without the terracing, with a grandstand on one side. Wooden benches made the seats. The centre benches were the posh ones, having long cushions on them a bit like you might see on church pews. Fans were free to go wherever they wanted. Maybe around 30-40 made the journey from Fort William, some 3-4 hours away.

We decided to loiter by the dugouts on the opposite side for the first half. The Fraserburgh assistant manager generally used expletives before every noun and verb and yelled how shit each one of them was constantly. Players seemed to ignore him. Twice he kicked over all the water bottles in annoyance. One particular highlight was him yelling at their main striker, though I doubt he was heard, saying how his movement and touch was shit, he was too slow, then after a touch on the edge of the box, shouted "what the f**k did you do that for" as a shot flew into the top corner. It was a lovely goal.

Great old fashioned toilets that had once been a piss on the wall job, but now there was a rusty old trough there. The drain on the floor was still there and would catch a few out as they veered closer to the pan, not expect a ditch under their feet.

As for the game, Fraserburgh deservedly won 6-3. It was 3-2 at half time with Fort scoring two good goals, the second a Whittingham-esque free kick that was worth the admission fee. Definite improvement from Fort William, who will win league games this season. More than anything I was impressed with the football on show. Half expecting a hoof fest and lots of tasty challenges, both sides tried to play passing football.

All in all a fun day.