Hares slump to seventh straight league defeat

By ADAM LAZZARI

RIDGEONS FIRST DIVISION

Downham Town 4 March Town United 2

THE Hares will have the perfect opportunity to end their seven-game losing streak when they host bottom club Fakenham on Saturday.

But March manager Brett Whaley knows his side must improve after a poor defensive play saw them well beaten at neighbours Downham Town.

The result puts the Norfolk club level on points with March, one place below them at 15th.

Whaley said: "We've been a bit unlucky to come away with nothing from some recent games, but we deserved nothing on Saturday.

"We looked quite good going forward in the second half but we always looked likely to concede goals. I had a few players missing but the squad should be good enough to cope."

Downham made the most of a defensive lapse to go into half-time 1-0 up.

March fought back on the second half with Rob Menarry forcing a good save with a 20-yard drive before Stuart Anderson lobbed the goalkeeper to equalise with 15 minutes remaining.

March conceded a soft goal from the re-start and completely lost their shape to concede twice more before Luke Pepper scored a consolation goal just before the final whistle.

Whaley said: "A few weeks ago we were mid-table and looking up but we're struggling now.

"Saturday's match against Fakenham is crucial. If we don't win I can see a long, hard second half of the season ahead because these are the games we should be winning."

Fakenham have won two and drawn one of their 17 league games this season.

Whaley said: "We've beaten them 1-0 away this season but they looked a pretty decent side and I'm surprised they are bottom, so we can't take anything for granted."

Richard Roberts, James Richardson, Marc Welcher and Lloyd Johnson are all set to return to the March squad for Saturday's match.