By ADAM LAZZARI RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP, FIRST ROUND Wisbech Town 1 March Town United 1 (March won 3-1 after extra-time) MARCH boss Brett Whaley will need another big performance like this one when they play Premier Division heavyweights Wroxham in the Ridgeo

By ADAM LAZZARI

RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP, FIRST ROUND

Wisbech Town 1 March Town United 1

(March won 3-1 after extra-time)

MARCH boss Brett Whaley will need another big performance like this one when they play Premier Division heavyweights Wroxham in the Ridgeons League Cup second round.

The Norfolk side will come to March's GER Ground on October 21.

Whaley hailed Tuesday night's shock win over Wisbech as the best performance from his side this season and is hoping it will kick-start their campaign.

Wisbech bossed the first 70 minutes until Whaley switched from 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3, using the Brand brothers' pace to attack the Wisbech full-backs and feed target-man James McCallum and then Dave Weston, who replaced him in extra-time.

Whaley said: "They had a physical back-line and we were struggling to impose ourselves.

"I moved Lawrie Brand from left-back to right-wing because I knew he could get at their left-back and cause problems. The three in midfield worked really hard and in extra-time there was only one side in it."

Wisbech conceded home advantage due to floodlight problems at their new Outwell home and manager Steve Taylor opted to leave eight players out of his team that beat CRC 2-1 in the league on Saturday, with tomorrow's £1,000 FA Vase clash at Cornard United in mind.

He said: "It's disappointing to lose a local derby but we were on top for most of the match and March didn't have a shot on target until they scored at the end."

Seconds after kick-off Wisbech's hard-tackling central midfielder Richard Harnwell clattered March skipper Luke Pepper with a late challenge, but Wisbech quickly asserted dominance.

Paul Cousins gave Wisbech the lead in the 10th minute when he flicked in a long throw.

Hares midfielder Sam Murphy smashed over when unmarked after Lawrie Brand played a one-two with Pepper and made a wonderful run and cross and it remained 1-0 at half-time.

Lee White replaced Murphy 10 minutes after the re-start and looked lively in the Hares midfield.

Pepper grabbed March's 80th-minute equaliser when he burst into the area to head home right-back Shaun Colson's superb cross.

Pepper and White pulled the strings from midfield in extra-time and Wisbech stopper Chris Lamming made a stunning save from Ashley Brand's effort from point-blank range.

Harry Roe scored a superb looping header from 12 yards after Lawrie Brand's fine cross in the 100th minute and the scoring was completed five minutes later when Lamming spilled a routine ball over the top and Pepper fired home through a crowded penalty area.

The performance of French right-back Saffian Bennour was one of the few positives the Fenmen can take away from the game.

Whaley said: "I look at the talent in my squad and get so frustrated with some of our results. This was a huge result for us and I'm hoping it will kick-start our season."

The match was sponsored by the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard.

Pictures: PETER UPTON