Huntingdon Town boss picks his 18-man squad for the 2011/12 season

MANAGER Ricky Marheineke said having to tell players they wouldn’t be playing for Huntingdon Town this season was one of the “worst experiences” of his life.

Marheineke named his 18-man squad for the start of the new United Counties League Division One campaign after Saturday’s 3-3 friendly draw against Irchester at Jubilee Park.

But there were casualties and the Town boss admitted having to break the bad news to some isn’t an experience he wants to repeat again in a hurry.

“It was horrible - one of the worst experiences of my life,” he said

“It was extremely hard having to tell young players that they’re not going to be involved with the squad.

“But I knew when I took the job on that there were going to be some tough decisions to be made at some stage.”

The Huntingdon Town first team squad for 2011/12, captained by Ricky Dear, is – GK: Dave Beeny; FB: Shaun Colson, Louie Medwynter, Scott Beeny; Ryan Spencer; CB: Josh Crick, Charlie Bowen, Jake Waterworth; R/LW: Carl Foreman, Ben Colmer, Joe Jordan; CM: Ricky Dear (C), Joe Furness, Jamie Blackwell, Gerard Evans; ST: Ondre Odain, Dan Drane, Adam Lacey.

On Saturday, Odain bagged a brace while Charlie Bowen was also on target against Irchester.

Last Tuesday, Odain, Dear, Drane and Jordan were all on the scoresheet as Huntingdon won 4-0 at Peterborough Sports.

Town, who were scheduled to visit Stewarts & Lloyds Corby last night (Tuesday), host CRC in their final pre-season game on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Godmanchester Rovers drew 1-1 with Hellenic League club Highmoor at Bearscroft Lane on Saturday, with new striker John Turner grabbing the goal.

That result came on the back of Rovers’ 5-2 home victory against a St Neots Town XI last Tuesday, when Paul Bass netted a hat-trick and Jonny Hall and Mickey Hyem also scored.

David Hurst’s side continued gearing up for the new Ridgeons League Division One campaign last night with a friendly at home to Biggleswade United and go to Rushden & Higham on Saturday.

Then Goddy’s final pre-season friendly is at home against CRC on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm.

UCL Premier club St Ives Town were defeated 2-1 by Cambs League Premier outfit Chatteris Town on Saturday.

James Hall netted from the penalty spot for Ives, who were defeated by a Jake Burton double.

That followed on from their 2-1 win at Burton Park Wanderers on Thursday when a brace from Stuart Cobb secured victory for Saints.

On Wednesday night, 286 were in attendance at Westwood Road to watch a Cambridge United XI run out 6-0 winners against St Ives.

Liam Hughes scored a hat-trick, Keenan Hughes-Mason bagged a brace and Luke Allen also scored for Cambridge, who had ex-St Neots Town defender Dallas Moore on trial in their side.

St Ives hosted Mildenhall Town of the Ridgeons League last night (Tuesday) and round off their pre-season campaign on Saturday with a trip to Northern Premier League club Quorn.