HUNTINGDON Town sent a message to neighbours and promotion rivals Eynesbury Rovers with an emphatic win.

HUNTINGDON Town sent a message to neighbours and promotion rivals Eynesbury Rovers with an emphatic win on Saturday.

Eynesbury went into the game as slight favourites, but Town took their chances on the counter-attack to kick-start their season.

Rovers had the better of the opening half hour, but goals from Dan Drane and Scott Quinney handed Town the advantage at the break. In the second half, Rovers rallied and put Huntingdon under pressure, but could not break through.

Two more Town goals on the break, scored by Jordan Brockett and Anthony Thomas, made the game safe before Adam Boothby netted Eynesbury’s consolation penalty with the last kick of the game.

Rovers manager Matt Plumb said his players had lacked fight in the second half.

“For 25 minutes we dominated, hit the woodwork and looked comfortable. Only Dave Beeny in the Town goal denied us a lead but our back four stood still on the half-hour and allowed a soft goal.”

He added: “I needed the players to come out for the second half and show their mettle but it didn’t happen. The two late goals were slightly flattering, but probably no more than we deserved. To be fair, we hardly deserved the consolation at the end.”

Town manager Al Lenihan was delighted to have picked up the points at the club he managed two years ago, and said some inside knowledge had played a part.

“I expected them to come at us from the start. Having managed Rovers and several of their players did help us, and we used some of that experience on the day.”

With a 2-0 lead at the break, Lenihan said he warned his players against complacency.

“Last season many of my players ran out of steam after 60 or 70 minutes, but they are much better prepared this year. They have accepted a more disciplined coaching programme and, though it’s early days, I’m very satisfied with the way things are shaping up.”