Thistle make it unlucky thirteen for Top Joes
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
"A BIT embarrassing" was the verdict of Wick Thistle chairman Peter Gunn following their CAFA Division Two clash against Top Joes – a game which his side won 13-0.
It turned out to be a turkey shoot after the hour mark when Top Joes midfielder Ross Mackie was sent off with the score at 3-0. However, the 10 extra goals that Thistle plundered could well come in handy should promotion to the top tier be decided on goal difference.
On target for Thistle were Rikki Cormack (3), Ross Macleod (2), Greg Gunn (2), Steven Budge (2), Colin Henstridge (2), Andy Falconer and Steven Hughes.
Gunn fully realises that all goals scored will be vital for Thistle's quest – although he could not but help have some sympathy for his vanquished opponents.
He said: "Yes, it was a bit embarrassing, to be honest. It did get to the stage where you felt for Top Joes.
"It was hard for them because they had a lot of players missing and had to bring in a few young guys.
"The game was looking okay for them until half-time and then we put our foot on the gas. They had a man sent off and it was open season.
"A case of one-way traffic, you could say – although I have to say I was delighted with how well we played.
How do you tell young lads keen to cement a regular first-team spot to stop scoring?
"We had some guys unavailable too but we have strength in depth so those stepping in were more than capable of filling the gaps.
"I suppose it would have been easy, say, after the fifth or sixth goal to get a message out to the lads to sit back and take it easy out of respect to our opponents.
"However, goal difference could decide who gets promoted at the end of the season so all those goals we fired in may well serve their purpose.
"Also, we had guys playing who haven't been starting as many games as they would have wanted and how do you tell young lads keen to cement a regular first-team spot to stop scoring? They will want to take their chance to impress – and they did just that."
Top Joes coach Will Smith refused to criticise his young side, despite the heavy defeat.
He said: "We had about 10 players who would have started unavailable to us so I had to draft in some younger ones – a few of whom were playing their first game at this level.
"I'm sure this is a baptism of fire they won't forget. Yes, the defeat was a big one, but every one of them gave 100 per cent effort.
"I'm not going to criticise them for that. Wick Thistle have a stronger squad, a fitter one, and have more skilful players to call upon. The quality on their bench spelt out the gulf between us."
