Manager Jimmy Brattan admitted Huntingdon Town are enduring a ‘turbulent time’ following their latest loss.

The Hunts Post: Midfielder Ben Panting has left Huntingdon Town. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHYMidfielder Ben Panting has left Huntingdon Town. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

Town were only able to call on a bare 11 players for a 5-2 defeat at Buckingham Town in United Counties League Division One last Saturday. They have now picked up only one point from their last nine league games.

Chris Jones and Connor Clarke hit second-half goals for Brattan’s side, but they weren’t enough to prevent a heavy defeat at the hands of opponents who themselves had been thumped 9-1 at lowly Oakham United in their previous game.

“That result has to be put into a bit of context,” insisted Brattan. “I spoke to the Buckingham gaffer before the game and they had stacks of players missing against Oakham.

“But they were back to full-strength on Saturday and unfortunately we caught the backlash on a day when we were struggling for numbers ourselves.

“I feel sure it would have been a different game had we been able to call on a lot of the lads who were missing.

“We set up more defensively than usual in the first half and it didn’t work. We were 4-0 down and I hold my hands up for getting it wrong.

“A few choice words were said at half-time when we changed to a more familiar formation and we were a different side in the second half.

“We scored a couple of goals and had a blatant penalty not given as well, but there is no denying it is a turbulent time for us.”

Brattan handed a debut to Under 18 player Joe Brown as part of his makeshift side. Fellow youngster Ben Page was also handed a rare opportunity.

Town’s availability situation was not helped by the exit of midfielder Ben Panting due to what Brattan described as ‘back-room issues’.

The midfielder is dual-signed with Peterborough & District League Premier Division table-toppers Netherton and played for them at the weekend.

Town continue a run of five successive away fixtures in the coming days. They go to Bugbrooke tonight (Wednesday) ahead of a Saturday trip to third-placed Raunds.

A re-arranged Tuesday clash at second-placed Potton then follows for Brattan’s out-of-form men.

Brattan added: “We’ve got six games remaining and there are 18 points still to play for.

“We’re all determined to get out of this slump and end the season as well as we possibly can.”

* Brattan continues to look for an assistant manager to work alongside him. Anyone interested should contact him on 07498 286139.