Following yesterday’s 5-0 win at Boston Town, Huntingdon Town captain Mike Hyem said manager Seb Hayes made the right decision playing nine of the club’s first team players in the reserves last week.

Without a game in Premier Division of the United Counties League in almost a month, Hayes fielded an ‘added strength’ reserves team against ON Chenecks last weekend and on Saturday in Boston the players were match ready and excellent.

“I think playing for the reserves last week was a great idea by Seb,” said Hyem. “With a long break and no games it was good to get a game last weekend.

“There was some tidy finishing and our work rate was superb.”

Ben Seymour-Shove scored a hat-trick with Stuart Eason and Declan Rogers also getting on the scoresheet. The result means Huntingdon remain fifth in the table but with games galore in hand over the teams above them. Spalding look odds-on for the title at the top but second place is certainly achievable with AFC Rushden & Diamonds currently in that spot just four points ahead having played three games more.

Hayes told The Hunts Post: “It was a great team performance after such a long lay-off. Boston are a good side and have a good home record of late so to score five goals and keep a clean sheet was very pleasing.

“Boston did test us and created some very good chances but our goalkeeper Andy Stevens [jointly registered with Stamford Town and standing in for the injured Tim Trebes] pulled off some outstanding saves.”

Striker Eason opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a goal that took a touch off a Boston defender on the way into the net, before Rogers hit home a 36th minute penalty to double that advantage. Seymour-shove made it 3-0 just before the break and scored two more times in the second half to complete his hat-trick. The young attacking midfielder is continuing to develop at Huntingdon and even on an off-day can be a real threat.

“He was not at his best but had his shooting boots on,” said Hayes. “As always, he put a shift in for the team.”

Boston will make the trip to Jubilee Park on Saturday for the back-to-back reverse fixture. “We will certainly be expecting a backlash in the return fixture but as usual we will prepare thoroughly and work on the areas of our game that need improving.”

Another Huntingdonshire club getting a good win away from home was Godmanchester Rovers who beat Walsham-le-Williows 4-2 in Suffolk to end their three-game losing streak.

Jamie Blackwell scored his 12th and 13th goals of the season with Joe Furness and Tom Spark getting the others in a win that saw Rovers return to second above Haverhill Rovers on goal difference. Haverhill remain Godmanchester’s biggest threat to second place and that automatic promotion spot, despite losing at Gorleston 1-0 yesterday. But Gorleston, now fourth, could be considered the team coming up on the outside.

“It was good to put right some wrongs,” said joint Godmanchester manager Nev Nania. “The players listened and delivered. They played with purpose.”

In the Premier Division of the Southern League, St Neots Town drew 1-1 in front of 812 supporters at St Albans Town to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Simon Thomas scored the first-half opener but the home team equalised soon after.

St Ives Town’s Division One Central game at home to Barton Rovers was postponed, as were the games for Eynesbury Rovers and St Neots Town Youth & Saints in Division One of the UCL.

In the Premier Division of the Cambridgeshire FA County League, bottom side Eaton Socon won 3-1 against West Wratting with Ben Cole, Glenn Westbury and Daniel Woodhead scoring the goals. Brampton are now only five points ahead of their Hunts rivals after their 1-0 defeat at Soham Town Rangers Reserves.

In the semi-finals of the Huntingdonshire FA Scott Gatty Cup, Hemingfords United beat Bluntisham Rangers 2-0 with goals from Arran Mackay and Thomas Whybourn. They will meet Great Paxton on march 19 after the Cambs Senior A side upset the odds to beat Peterborough & District League Premier Division side Ramsey Town 4-0.