It will be a happy New Year for Arran Duke and his Wisbech St Mary men.

The Village side capped a successful 2016 with an excellent 4-1 Fenland derby success over rivals March Town on Tuesday.

Jack Friend, Jordan Goult, Robbie Palmer and Ryan Alexander fired St Mary to victory in front of a crowd of over 200 at Beechings Close, and boss Duke says he is delighted that his side claimed the local bragging rights once again.

“It was a very pleasing day,” he said.

“It’s always nice to win a derby and to do the double over them in our first season is a good feeling.

“We started well and Jack’s goal settled us down but March did have a good 15 minute spell midway through the first half and caused us a few problems but we managed to deal with it and some good saves from Dan Smith in goal helped us do so.

“There’s plenty of games still to play so it’s important we take momentum into our next game on build on this win.”

St Mary, who were without captain James McManus and Jakub Ziabka, raced into the lead courtesy of Friend’s neat drive, before doubling their lead thanks to Goult’s powerful header.

Palmer struck from distance for the home side’s third, before youngster Casey Logan pulled a goal back for March from the spot.

However, Alexander came off the bench to wrap up the points for St Mary and give them their first Thurlow Nunn Division One win since November 19.

Duke’s men now sit just six points off of fourth spot in the league standings – but face a tough test in their first fixture of 2017.

They travel to Haverhill Borough on Monday (January 2, 3pm), who have only experienced defeat once at home this season, before the short trip to Norfolk to take on King’s Lynn Reserves on January 7.