Martin Ling missed United's record-equalling 7-0 win with a stomach bug, but player-assistant Paul Carden hoped the comprehensive home win against struggling Forest Green Rovers would give the absent U's boss a boost.

"Seven-nil was a 'get well soon' present for him. He's not been feeling his best for the last couple of days but the lads produced a quality performance and I'm sure he'll be buzzing with that, and if that doesn't make him feel better then not much will," said the delighted Carden.

Despite their lowly status near the foot of the table, Ling had warned that Rovers' draw at leaders Oxford United on Monday meant they could not be underestimated, and for 43 minutes United had created chances but failed to break them down.

"I spoke to Chris Wilder about Forest Green and he said at their place on Monday they were the better team and could have nicked a win, so we knew they would be resolute," said Carden. "But at the same time they have conceded a lot of goals and they're down there for a reason; they make mistakes and we thought that when they did make mistakes we'd punish them.

Andy Parkinson almost put United ahead on 36 but saw his shot hacked off the line, before Danny Crow scored a thoroughly deserved first goal of the season two minutes before half-time to break the deadlock. The country's leading scorer Chris Holroyd netted two minutes after the break to extend the lead, and when he was clattered by Rovers' keeper Terry Burton a minute later the floodgates were opened.

Crow made it 3-0 from the penalty spot, Holroyd added his second, teenager Sam Ives came off the bench to score twice from midfield, and in the final minutes fellow sub Mark Beesley also ended his goal drought by netting the seventh and final goal.

"Danny Crow has deserved that," noted Carden. "He's worked hard in the last few games, as did Mark Beesley in the games before that. Chrissy Holroyd has been getting the plaudits for scoring the goals but the other forwards, wingers and the rest of the team can take credit too.

"I'm delighted for Crowy and also for Bees to get a goal too when he came on. Phillo (Lee Phillips) got on for a few minutes too so it's all positives. There isn't one part of the game you could call a negative whatsoever. We kept a clean sheet, we've scored a bundle of goals, the forwards have all got involved and young Ivesey come on and slotted two so it's a great day."

Of 18-year-old first year pro Ives, the skipper added, "Sam has that in him. If you watch him for CRC he gets in the box, he runs beyond forwards and he's got an eye for goal. In training he wants to get forward and it's refreshing that you can put young substitutes on like that who have an impact the way he did."

Carden also gave an insight into the foul on Holroyd and the subsequent red card for Burton: "Some of their lads were moaning about their keeper being sent off. I don't think he actually got sent off for the foul, I think it was for throwing the ball towards the referee. But he was lucky a couple of times in the first half because he was coming out with the same action.

"You accept keepers coming out with their knee up but as soon as he straightened his leg and showed his studs, he caught Chrissy Holroyd and it was a penalty. Even though he got the ball in his hands it's like saying just because he's got the ball in his hands he can smack someone. You can't do that; it's still a foul. So it was a penalty and you can't throw the ball at the referee the way he did.

"Having said that, I've got a lot of sympathy for David Brown (FGR caretaker player-manager). He's a good, honest lad and he'll be trying to get them to play the right way; unfortunately they were punished for every mistake they made today but I'm glad it happened."

For many years under a succession of managers United have struggled to play against ten men, but that changed with this emphatic win: "We proved today that we can do it," said Carden. "There were a few words said at half-time because we needed to get in amongst it a lot more and we upped the tempo in the second half, and when we did we got our rewards."

United are at home again on Tuesday to Altrincham, the side who denied United the final day win last season that could have won the title, and Carden is expecting a similar display from the visitors.

"We've picked up a little bit of a run after the sticky start we had but when Alty come here on Tuesday they'll be as dogged as they were at the end of last season. Kenny McKenna (former U's scout) has gone there and he knows a lot about us, and they'll be well-drilled for coming here.

"Today's results for either team won't matter on Tuesday but it will mean we go into the game with a bit of confidence and hopefully that will show on Tuesday," concluded Carden.

Next Up

United are next in action at home to Altrincham on Tuesday (7.45pm). Tickets are currently on sale to Season Ticket holders and Away Travel Club members for next Saturday's match at AFC Wimbledon [details].

Scholars CRC play at the Abbey tomorrow (Sunday) against Huntingdon Town in their first ever FA Vase match. Kick off 2pm [details].

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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