Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman feels consistency in performances and results will come for his team as they are able to name a more settled side.

The last week has brought more ups and downs for Halstead with a strong display against Leiston Reserves bringing a 3-1 win in Thurlow Nunn League division one followed by a disappointing trip to Haverhill Borough when they lost 4-1.

While Benterman felt the scoreline at Haverhill was a bit unfair on his team, those results have encapsulated much of the season so far for the Humbugs, but the manager feels consistency will come as he gets more players back to full fitness.

He said: “You can look at consistency in how your players perform, but I think our situation is more about consistency in team selection.

“The game against Leiston saw our strongest line-up all year, but we then had three missing at Haverhill, two strikers who were asked to play at full-back in a specialised position and one player who didn’t turn up until five minutes before kick-off because he was caught in traffic.

“Things like that are tough, but if you can get a settled side week-in week-out then I think you’ll see things differently.

“We have players coming back to full fitness so I’m hoping that will be the case.”

While skipper Lewis Cunliffe is unavailable for today’s First Division Knockout Cup game against Downham Town at Rosemary Lane, Benterman said he had James Regan, Jamie Clark and Gareth Thomas all back. 

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