Thistle had two players sent off late in the game — Campbell Hall for a punch following a challenge by PNU midfielder Devon Batchelor that itself drew a yellow card, and Cullen Spawforth, shown a red card for his actions as he tried to free himself from the grasp of a PNU player.
Batchelor was taken to hospital and required stitches. He was reported on the PNU Facebook page to be “OK and recovering” but “suffering from a concussion”.
As of yesterday afternoon, Thistle coach Garrett Blair had not heard what penalties would be imposed on the two players sent off.
PNU cannot be overtaken by third-placed Napier City Rovers Reserves, who are to play Thistle in Gisborne on September 23 in the last Central Federation League match of the season.
The three points for this week’s default mean that Thistle will be two points behind Taradale, who have finished their programme.
Napier were to play Thistle last Saturday, but the game was deferred because Napier played Whanganui Athletic Reserves in the final of the Central Federation Cup at Wembley Park, Whanganui, where the home team triumphed 3-1.
At stake in the Thistle-Napier game will be the Len Cudd Memorial Trophy.
Napier hold the carved trophy, which goes on the line at every Gisborne Thistle-Napier City Rovers game.
