UCL Division One Peterborough Northern Star 4 Huntingdon Town 3 HUNTINGDON Town slipped to defeat in manager Paul Swannell s first game in charge, against 10-man Peterborough Northern Star. Town began poorly and allowed Star to dominate the early excha

UCL Division One

Peterborough Northern Star 4 Huntingdon Town 3

HUNTINGDON Town slipped to defeat in manager Paul Swannell's first game in charge, against 10-man Peterborough Northern Star.

Town began poorly and allowed Star to dominate the early exchanges but it was the visitors who took the lead after 21 minutes.

Summer recruit Ryan Francis picked the ball up midway inside the Star half before launching a magnificent chip over the goalkeeper from 20 yards out.

Star drew level on the half-hour when the referee adjudged Town's Billy Tumblety had tripped a home forward in the box. Alan Campbell stepped up to drive home the spot-kick.

The home side then scored twice either side of half time to give themselves a two-goal cushion.

A long ball from defence on 43 minutes caught Town napping and Chris Caswell raced away to score.

Sloppy play at the back from Town immediately after the restart gave Richard Moore the chance to put Star 3-1 ahead.

Huntingdon got back into the game on the hour when the home side's Billy McLuckie tripped Carl Foreman in the area and was then dismissed by the referee for foul and abusive language.

Foreman dusted himself down to slot home the spot-kick and make the score 3-2.

Town began to play some good football as their extra man told, but defensive frailties showed again as Star earned themselves a penalty. However this time Campbell blazed his spot-kick over the bar.

Star did extend their lead after 73 minutes when Caswell scrambled his second goal of the game, after the visitors failed to clear a corner.

Paul Turner pulled a goal back for Town with one minute of normal time remaining but the visitors couldn't force an equaliser.

Manager Paul Swannell said: "Our passing and movement wasn't good enough. We've had a long chat and the players know they under performed.

"Having said that we've scored three goals away from home so there are positives there. It's a new side and they need time to gel.

"Ideally we'd have had a few more friendlies but it wasn't to be and we've got a run of home games coming up so hopefully we'll be able to pick up some points."

Meanwhile Town reserve team manager Paul McSweeney is no longer with the club. The club parted company with McSweeney last Thursday who cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for his departure.

Town face Thrapston in their first home game of the season at Jubilee Park on Saturday.