Wisbech St Mary boss Paul Hunt eyes up Huntingdon Town opportunity after Downham Town defeat

Paul Hunt was pleased with his Wisbech St Mary side's latest performance - and believes they are getting closer to where he wants them to be next season.

The Saints conceded once in each half as they went down to a 2-0 defeat against Downham Town at the Nissan Direct Leasing Stadium on Saturday. The home boss' son grabbed a goal and an assist against his father's side ('he didn't get any tea').

However, having rattled the crossbar when they were just a goal down, St Mary weren't a million miles away from sneaking a result against their third-placed opponents.

And Hunt believes their recent improvements stand them in good stead as the 2021/22 campaign draws to a close.

"That was a particularly good performance on Saturday," he told the Citizen.

"The boys did well with what could have been seen as a weakened squad. I always think if you have 11, then it's 11v11. We all have two arms and two legs, we're all human beings.

"We did have opportunities, but I didn't want to go gung-ho and push on like we have done in recent weeks.

"It's a totally different team to what we had a few months ago. With the facilities at the club and my contacts, we'll also have some good players wanting to join us next year."

The Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the Thurlow Nunn First Division North table, with a trip to 12th-placed Huntingdon Town next up this weekend.

They were edged out in a 3-2 thriller in the reverse fixture back in October, and will be hoping to grab a good opportunity to seal their first win of the season.

"This week we'll have more boys available, so we'll go with a stronger squad," Hunt added.

"I always think we're going to do well. That's my mindset. I look at what we've got in the team in the moment, and if we work hard and do the right things I think we'll have another good performance and the chance of a win.

"That's what I think every single week, so I'm looking forward to it."

Wisbech St Mary vs Downham Town: Tyler Key, Goult, Smith, Robinson, Castellan, Not, Tansley, Adam Key, Boughen, Williams, Jose (Subs: Pepper, Pack)