In a commanding display (eventually) at Jubilee Park, The Hunters triumphed over Buckden u12 Buzzards with a resounding scoreline of 7-1.
The league match, kicked off at 10:00 am and eventually showcased Huntingdon's attacking prowess and defensive solidity throughout the 60 minutes of play.
The Hunters started the match very slowly, something which we’ve not seen for a while.
The Hunters lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, featuring a solid defensive trio complemented by a dynamic midfield and a lone striker.
The starting eleven included goalkeeper Noah White, defenders Samuel Davids, Henry Smith & Reuben Zimmermann, a midfield quartet of Jacob Wyatt, Jack Edwards, Magnus Christensen and Will Stewart who all played pivotal roles in both attack and defence with sole striker George Smith leading the line.
The substitutes for the match included Roman Lawrence-Alexander, Sam Godfrey, Stefan Maresi & Josh Cooke, players who would later make significant contributions as the game unfolded, especially Cooke after coming on when Zimmermann was taken off due to injury in the 10th minute.
The first half saw Huntingdon Town take control on the 11th minute after their slow start with their attacking intent evident with a tidy finish from Edwards who came bursting into the box from midfield.
They quickly established a rhythm, utilising their midfield to dominate possession and create numerous chances.
The relentless pressure paid off as The Hunters found the back of the net two more times before HT from Wyatt and Kristensen showcasing their clinical finishing.
Buckden Juniors struggled to cope with the intensity and creativity of their opponents, managing to score only once in response to the barrage of attempts on goal from Huntingdon.
George Smith guilty of missing guilt edge chance to increase the score further.
As the match progressed into the second half, Huntingdon continued to assert their dominance.
The players maintained their high tempo and pressing game, which led to further goals, solidifying their lead from Lawrence-Alexander a minute after coming on making it 4-1, Lawrence-Alexander made it 5-1 ten minutes later by grabbing his second and 4th in two games.
Buckden Juniors, despite their best efforts, found it increasingly difficult to break down the resolute Hunters defence.
Sam Godfrey slotted home a penalty after it was awarded for a challenge on Smith who was through on goal and about to pull the trigger.
The match concluded with Huntingdon Town celebrating a comprehensive victory when Henry Smith finished off the scoring with a great header from a Godfrey corner, leaving no doubt about their superiority on the day.
The performance of Josh Cooke was particularly noteworthy, as he not only contributed to the team's defensive efforts but also played a crucial role in initiating attacks from the back from the minute he came on.
His composure when under pressure really stood out today as he put in an excellent performance.
Sam Godfrey needs a mention to today after notching up 3 assists, and if it weren’t for Cooke, Godfrey would have been man of the match.
The match served as a testament to The Hunters potential as they look to build on this impressive result in the league.
The Hunters now it top of the league after two games taking a maximum of 6 points, scoring 12 along the way.
The boys have a break next Saturday as the game has been postponed but they return on the 28th as we host Needingworth in a league and cup double header in consecutive weeks.
