NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Cup delight followed by league disappointment for Huntingdon Town
Connor Clarke levels for Huntingdon Town against Blackstones. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Delight was followed by disappointment for Huntingdon Town in recent days.
Chris Jones challenges for a header as Huntingdon Town team-mate Ben Panting looks on. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Boss Jimmy Brattan toasted the best result of his reign as Town dumped higher-level Ely City out of the Hinchingbrooke Cup last Tuesday night.
Player/assistant boss Chris Jones, in-form striker Corey Kingston and recent signing Jonny Hall hit the goals that earned an eye-catching 3-1 quarter-final triumph.
“To go to a higher-level team and outplay them is a terrific achievement,” said Brattan. “There’s no doubt it’s my best result to date as Huntingdon manager – and I don’t think too many people expected it.
“If anything the final scoreline was flattering to Ely as we could – and probably should – have scored five or six goals.
Ben Panting of Huntingdon Town in action against Blackstones. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
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“I’m very proud of my lads as they were simply outstanding on the night.”
Town’s reward is a semi-final date against either fellow locals Godmanchester Rovers or Deeping Rangers. Like Ely, both of those sides play at Step 5.
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But the jubilation of Town’s notable midweek success was followed by the frustration of a second successive United Counties League Division One home defeat last Saturday.
Town were pipped 2-1 by Stamford side Blackstones at Jubilee Park. Player/joint-boss Lee Clarke – a former St Neots Town star - snatched a last-gasp winner for the visitors after Town failed to deal with a corner.
Glenn Spearink slides in to make a challenge during Huntingdon Town's loss against Blackstones. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Brattan’s side had fallen behind early on when a defensive mix-up allowed Jones de Sousa to put Blackstones ahead, but they equalised before half-time through Connor Clarke – the nephew of match-winner Lee.
Huntingdon will seek to return to winning league ways when they travel to Thrapston this Saturday.
Brattan added: “A draw would have been the right result against Blackstones in my opinion, but unfortunately we failed to capitalise on our dominance in the second half and then conceded at the very end of eight minutes of stoppage time.
“There was a hold-up for an injury at one point, but I’ve still got no idea where the referee got that figure from.
Chris Jones of Huntingdon Town sees a shot blocked as they lost to Blackstones. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
“February hasn’t started in the way we wanted in the league, but we’re still within reach of our target of finishing in the top seven and we’ll keep pushing to make that happen.”
