Hemingfords United found themselves in the unusual position last Saturday of losing a game they had already won.
John Hughes’ men went down 4-2 at local rivals Brampton in a Kershaw Premier Division derby clash.
It was a fixture being replayed after Hemingfords triumphed in the initial staging on the opening day of the season only for them to later realise they had played an ineligible goalkeeper.
Cambs League chiefs subsequently scrubbed the result, deducted Hemingfords three points and ordered the teams to meet again at the weekend.
They also hit the front on this occasion - through Nick Cade’s fourth goal in three games a minute before the break - but saw their lead quickly wiped out in the second minute of stoppage time by Danny Cain.
And Hemingfords were on the receiving end of a Brampton blitz as the hosts struck three times in the opening 10 minutes of the second period through Cain, Martin Turner and Ollie Vale.
Jack Jefferson replied with a free-kick to cut the deficit, but Hemingfords couldn’t mount a comeback as they were just a point above the relegation zone.
Boss Hughes admitted: “Unfortunately we couldn’t hold onto our lead until half-time, and we were then over-run in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
“We rallied, got one back and pushed for more, but couldn’t get a third goal which would have created an exciting finish.
“It was very frustrating to lose the game, but that’s football. We’re just focused on staying up and I think we should do that as we have stepped up from last season.
“We have a little bit more quality and experience in the squad, but there are no easy games in this division.”
And while the defeat was tough for Hemingfords to take, the victory was much-needed for a Brampton side snapping a run of four successive losses in all competitions – although three of those four games had been against current Premier Division top two Eaton Socon and Great Shelford.
Manager Wayne Ambler said: “We really needed the win and it was very important that we got ourselves level just before half-time.
“We started the second half very well, but we’re still conceding far too many sloppy goals.
“The individual errors have got to stop as we’re putting ourselves in a position where we need to score three or four goals to win a game.
“While we are capable of doing that, it shouldn’t be necessary and that’s why we’ve got to tighten up.
“We finished seventh last season and the goal is to improve on that. We’re eighth now and in a good position to do it if we can put a decent run together.”
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