Joes boss searches for luck after 12-goal hammering
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"We'll fluke some good fortune when we least deserve it," says Top Joes boss Bruce Cormack after yet another thumping defeat.
In a Thurso-derby against High Ormlie Hotspur in the CAFA Division Two, Joes' defence nearly had a cricket scoreboard brought in as Spurs went on a goal spree.
With a number of regular players missing, a very youthful-looking Top Joes side were no match for their town rivals who ran out 12-0 winners.
A trio of Spurs players hit trebles with James Mackintosh, Liam Bain and Aaron Wilson all grabbing hat-tricks. Euan Macgregor and Craig Chambers also netted.
Not for the first time a double-digit defeat has been chalked up against Joes who prop up the Second Division with no points to their name.
With Francis St Club no longer in existence this season, it seems the Thurso side have been handed their label as the league's whipping boys.
However, Cormack has a number of mitigating circumstances and is determined to see out this bad spell in the hope his team's luck will change.
He said: "I'm sure our luck will pick up at some point.
"With football being as it is, it will happen when we least deserve it as well. A goal being scored against the run of play with the ball hitting one of our players on the backside and flying into the net – that type of thing.
"There have been times earlier this season when we've played well and not got the result we have deserved.
The effort they put in – even when the game is beyond them – shows me they don't lack in character.
"Recently, things have been tough. We had eleven players missing for the Spurs game and we were forced to have two trial-lists – who we had never seen play before – on the bench in order to field a matchday squad from scratch.
"Some of the lads are still at school and while they have ability, they are still developing physically and their fitness and stamina levels are still being built up in order to play at this level.
"But one thing I'll say for the young boys, they never stop trying. The effort they put in – even when the game is beyond them – shows me they don't lack in character.
"The reason why we had so many players out was a combination of injuries and holidays – part and parcel of summer football I'm afraid.
"We hope to have some of our regular players back soon so hopefully results will improve."
High Ormlie Hotspur boss, Ewan McElroy was delighted with the win but under no illusions about how it came about.
He said: "A few weeks ago, we played Top Joes who were at full-strength and were quite fortunate to get a result.
"They were missing a lot of key players for this one and we had a more convincing result. However, once they get their main players back, I'm sure Top Joes will bounce back.
"As for us, we played very well. To be honest, we've been threatening to pull off a big winning-margin for some time.
"The boys have improved a lot since our slow start to the season – especially Liam Bayne who is still at school yet puts in mature performances as he did in this match."
