WITH seven first team players unavailable, it was always going to be a tough test for Huntingdon Town in their first ever United Counties League Premier Division game at Boston Town on Saturday - and so it proved.

But manager Ricky Marheineke wasn’t too unhappy with the result, a 1-0 loss, telling The Hunts Post his side were ‘exceptional’ in the first half.

Ricky Dear, who cut an eye in the FA Cup game at Irchester United the previous week, is still waiting for the wound to heal, while Dan Moyes is a long-term injury after breaking a leg in that game. Jake Waterworth, Dave Townsend and Josh Crick were also sidelined for the Boston game, while Niks Savelneiks has just got married in Latvia, and Jack Warwick was away at the V music festival.

However, the manager bolstered his squad, borrowing two players from Cambridge City in the week, Victor Torres and Ben Sawer, the latter joining the club following a short spell with Godmanchester Rovers. Those two joined Jon Gull and Darren Ray as the four debutantes.

“In the first 45 minutes I thought we were exceptional,” said Marheineke. “We had some really good chances but didn’t take any of them.”

Indeed, Joe Jordan hit a post, Dan Drane went close, and Jamie Blackwell missed a header from close range. Stuart Eason had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but his shot was saved. Boston scored what Marheineke described as ‘a sloppy goal’ in the second half.

“We lacked a little composure,” he said. “That let us down.

“In the second half we threw more players up front but missed more chances. It was frustrating but I am pleased with the way we played.”

Huntingdon face Irchester United again on Wednesday, this time in the UCL. So, having beaten them in the Cup, Marheineke must be slightly confident ahead of that game at Jubilee Park.

His captain Dear is 50-50, but he will welcome back midfielder Warwick, who was impressive in Northamptonshire.

“It’ll be more or less the same side as the one that played against Boston - but I am hoping to make one more loan signing before the game,” said the manager.

Huntingdon: Dave Beeny, Ryan Spencer (Ashley Yeomans), Sam Spencer, Victor Torres, Charlie Bowen, Joe Jordan, Jamie Blackwell, Craig Green (Jon Gull), Ben Sawer (Darren Ray), Stuart Eason, Dan Drane.