NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Depleted Huntingdon Town deliver a defensive masterclass to clinch a welcome win
Adam Richardson scored both Huntingdon Town goals in their win at Irchester. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY - Credit: Archant
Huntingdon Town manager Jimmy Brattan praised a defensive masterclass after his side snapped their six-game losing streak in United Counties League Division One last Saturday.
Town collected a much-needed 2-1 victory at Irchester United despite fielding a depleted squad which included just 12 men and only one recognised defender.
But that player – left-back Ruben Rey – was singled out for special praise by Brattan following a triumph earned by a brace from Adam Richardson.
“We went there with 12 men because I had six players out,” said Brattan. “It was very much a makeshift team, but we viewed it as a game in which we had everything to gain and nothing to lose.
“The only actual defender we had was Ruben Rey and it was a case of putting three midfielders in the back four with him.
“Ruben was the best player on the pitch for me. He led the defence for me throughout the 90 minutes.”
Richardson converted Ben Keating free-kicks either side of an Irchester equaliser which came shortly after the interval - and those goals proved enough to earn a second league win of Brattan’s second spell in the hotseat.
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“The panic set in for them after we scored, they changed their system and started to hit long balls, but we broke their attacks down well,” added Brattan.
“We had a five-minute storm to weather after they scored, but we composed ourselves and started to play well again.
“Going away to a side sitting 10th in the league and beating them when we’re second-bottom ourselves will definitely give the boys a lift.
“The club have told me there’s no pressure on me this year, but I still want to try to finish as close to the 12th position we had last season.
“Hopefully we can pick up a few points here and there and start to move up a couple of places.”
Town have pulled seven points clear of basement side Raunds ahead of a home clash against Harrowby this Saturday, 3pm.
