No game this Saturday for Wisbech St Mary, but delight over first point
Wisbech St Mary manager Paul Hunt was delighted that his young team picked up their first point of the season on Saturday – but equally chuffed at their disappointment at not securing a victory.
Saints drew 2-2 at home to Leiston Reserves in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North, but hit the post three times and conceded a late equaliser.
And Hunt told the Citizen: “It was a strange one really. You would think we would be celebrating finally getting a point, but when the lads sat down after the game and I asked them how they felt, they were all gutted to have not won.”
Former Swaffham Town boss Hunt has now been in charge for four games after succeeding club stalwart Stuart Beckett, and said: “It’s starting to come together.
“I have now established the core group of players who want to work and train every week and make themselves available to play every weekend.
“We’ve got that solidity now and that is so important.”
After losing his first game 3-2 at home to Huntingdon Town, Hunt oversaw defeats to Needham Market Reserves 4-0 and Sheringham 7-0, but he was not unduly worried by the scorelines.
Aaron McKenna and the long serving Jordan Goult scored the goals on Saturday.
“I just know that if you work hard and the players work hard for you, that you improve as a team.
“If you keep working hard, long term, you improve and you get the results you want.”
Hunt, who twice won promotion with Swaffham Town after taking over while they were struggling, added: “The mentality of the unit is good now.
“When they went 1-0 down, their heads did not drop, and when Leiston equalised very controversially to make it 2-2, they also stayed positive.”
The visitors got back in the game from a breakaway after the referee had played advantage following a foul on a Wisbech St Mary player.
“It was tough on us as we expected the free kick, but on the other hand we should not have stopped,” said Hunt.
“But the attitude was superb and we were the side pushing for the winner in the closing stages.”
Midfielder Karl Tansley and right back Callum Robinson were new additions to the team on Saturday, and Hunt expects two or three more acquisitions in the coming weeks.
“I like the group I’ve got and we will start getting points now and building momentum together.
“Then, come the summer, we will do some great work and be ready to really give next season a go.
“It takes time, but we will keep improving.”
Saints have no game this Saturday and will train before entertaining Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday, November 20.