Thurso Pentland out of luck as Thistle hit late goal spree
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Bad luck and a lack of fitness proved to be Thurso Pentland's undoing when a crazy last 25 minutes saw them ship seven goals as they fell 9-2 at Wick Thistle in CAFA Division Two.
Struggling to cobble together a squad beforehand, Thurso boss Ewan Scott managed to get 13 players before kick-off only for a freak injury in the warm-up which saw Scott Ross going to hospital with concussion.
Ross has thankfully recovered but, with only 12 players at his disposal, Scott had done well to get past the hour mark with the score at 2-2.
Despite determined resistance from Thurso keeper Ewan Grant, Thistle persisted with their attacking efforts to eventually produce a goal spree.
On target for them were Andy Falconer (2), Greg Gunn, Colin Henstridge, Rikki Cormack (2) and Marc Gunn (3) with Pentland netting via Mark Bain and Kieran Campbell.
Despite the result, Scott remained positive about his team's prospects for the rest of the season.
He said: "Given how depleted we were to begin with, I can't fault the lads for their effort. Even as the goals were flying in while they were tiring, they were still working hard for each other.
"Ewan was brilliant in goal for us. The scoreline says he let in nine goals but he pulled off a number of saves to stop Thistle going well into double figures.
"We've some players to come back for us soon as well as those returning from university so I hope to see us having some better evenings than this one.
Even as the goals were flying in while they were tiring, they were still working hard for each other.
"I was phoning around hours before the game trying to get a team together and once I got one, we lost a player in the warm-up. A stray shot smacked Scott on the back of the head which left him with concussion. He's okay now but obviously he could not play after that.
"Credit to Wick Thistle. They were stronger and deserved to win by a margin – probably not by the one they got, but they deserved the win."
The win takes Thistle to the top of Division Two – ahead of Watten on goal difference.
Thistle coach Tom Sutherland said: "I think our fitness told in the end. Thurso did make it very difficult for us for the first hour and their keeper was outstanding.
"It also helped that the Upper Bignold surface is playing superbly this season. Last year a few teams were complaining about the pitch but this year has seen a vast improvement.
"We're top but Watten are right behind us and when we play them it could be one of the games of the season."
In Division One, Thurso Acks' unbeaten start continues but despite Graham Bremner's hat-trick they were held to a 3-3 draw at Lybster who netted via Jonah Martens (2) and Stuart Atkins.
John O'Groats notched up a 1-0 victory against Staxigoe United thanks to Grant Budge's strike.
