Cambridge United ended their fifth season in the Conference with a 2-0 win at Altrincham, and manager Martin Ling gave his final post-match interview of the campaign shortly after the final whistle.

Adam Marriott came on as a substitute and scored both goals in clinical fashion. Ling explained why he chose not to start the striker after his excellent display last weekend, while also making it clear he has high future hopes for the academy graduate.

"A lot of people would expect me to start him after what he did last week. I knew they were going to play a back five and two centre halves over six foot, and people will probably forget what Lee (Phillips) has done. We needed to batter them first and then Maz would come on, whether it was for Lee or for Crowy. It worked perfectly for us. He's definitely one for the future.

"He's the kind of player that I've seen over the past year and he's shown over three years that whenever he's on the pitch he'll get chances, even if he only comes on as a sub. He doesn't do that by chance, if you've got the instinct to get in the right place and you can finish then you've got some quality product there. I hope it materialises like I think it should.

"He's a young boy who's going to be one of four strikers next year. He's proved he can be one of those four. With four strikers you have two on the pitch and two on the bench and you rotate it from there. He's going to be a product, I really believe it. Goals speak words and the kid can finish."

The key moment in a goalless first half was Simon Brown's penalty save to deny Colin Little a goal in his farewell performance for Altrincham. Brian Saah was deemed to have committed the foul, but Ling was unimpressed by what he deemed to be a regular challenge, before praising the custodian for the impact he's made since his arrival.

"I wouldn't say it was fairly soft, it was really really soft! The foul was actually off the pitch, which is half the battle, and it was just a strong piece of defending that you would expect your defender to do. Simon Brown's done really well and he's a big part of where we changed the season. That's no disrespect to Danny Potter but Simon came in when Danny got injured and the goals against column got better and we settled as a team. He deserves plaudits."

310 United fans made the trip to Cheshire for what was a dead rubber, and Ling spoke of how grateful he was for the support the club continues to receive.

"I was just speaking about it to Greg Reid and they're amazing really. To come all the way up here, I know it's the last game of the season but they've supported through thick and thin. The away support is always there. We got in a bad situation this year but they stuck by us. I think they believe in the product that we're trying to produce here. The last fifteen games has shown that we can move forward. The patience has been rewarded and it's greatly received on the touchline by me and the players."

The manager concluded by reflecting on his partnership with his assistant manager over the past months, before ending by drawing the positives that can be taken from his first season as manager of Cambridge United.

"Paul Carden's been a big help. It was two strangers put together and we walk away as two friends and it's very important to make sure that's right in a football club. We may change that structure in terms of bringing another coach into the building but Paul's very important with where I want to go with this football club.

"It's been an eventful first season! We had the issues with me walking away and then coming back, then the team got into trouble and we had to come back from it. There have been a few ups and downs and the last fifteen games have been the upside. There have been some character questions asked of me and my players. I'd like to put it on record that I think we've come through it as a unit."

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website, unless otherwise stated, is subject to copyright © and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source including all quotes.

MR240410 web@cambridge-united.co.uk