Lenihan hails “legend” Ling after Godmanchester victory

Hunts Senior Cup

Huntingdon Town 2-1 Godmanchester Rovers

MATCH-WINNER Mark Ling was hailed a “legend” by Town manager Al Lenihan after his side got the better of local rivals Godmanchester Rovers in their Hunts Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday.

Ling headed home the winner from a Joe Furness corner on 70 minutes to keep Huntingdon’s winning run – now five in all competitions – going and they will now play either St Ives Town or Ramsey Town in the last four.

Boss Lenihan said: “The most pleasing thing for me was to see Lingy head the winner.

“He has been totally loyal to Huntingdon Town for a very long time and heading that winner makes him a legend in my eyes.”

After Stuart Eason rattled the Goddy crossbar twice in quick succession early on, it was the visitors who took the lead on 10 minutes when Carl Foreman set up James Hall to head home.

That was the way it stayed until first half stoppage time, when Adam Lacey drilled the ball home to level matters, before Ling netted the winner 20 minutes from time to ensure Huntingdon grabbed the local bragging rights.

Lenihan continued: “I have to say we were second best for most of the first half, but second half we came out and stepped up a gear.

“Goddy never really tested our goal for the rest of the game and, for me, it was only a matter of time before we got that second goal.”

Gracious in defeat, Rovers manager David Hurst also had no qualms about the result and admitted: “The best team won, we didn’t play well.

“They were hungry and wanted it more than we did and defended very well against our forward players, who I thought were very poor on Saturday.”

Goddy are back in Ridgeons League First Division action at leaders Cambridge University Press on Saturday, while Huntingdon visit Rothwell Town in UCL Division One.

Huntingdon are also due to host Stotfold tomorrow night (Thursday) in the first round of the Hinchingbrooke Cup, kick-off 7.45pm.