Hares extend unbeaten run with McQuaid wonder goal

March Town 2, Woodbridge Town 0

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Premier Division

Eoin McQuaid's decision to quit a Step 4 relegation fight to rejoin the Hares becomes more and more justified with every game the talented midfielder plays.

March have won seven and drawn one of McQuaid's eight league games since he left Wisbech Town for a second spell at March, and his wonderful goal today was his third since coming back.

McQuaid enjoys a lot more time on the ball at Step 5 compared to the physical Northern Premier League Midland Division, where strength and attrition are the main attributes of the top sides.

His goal today was deserving of another impressive performance, and Jack Friend's second half penalty completed a comfortable victory for Ash Taylor's men, who are now up to fifth in the table, having won 10 and drawn two of their last 12 games.

In truth it could have been a bigger margin of victory against the eighth placed Woodpeckers as McQuaid and striker Craig Gillies both hit the bar and visiting stopper Finlay Shorten made some great saves to deny Gillies and Friend.

The Hares dominated the opening stages but were nearly caught out after 10 minutes when an effort from Sean Rea flew inches wide.

Two minute later, though, and Gillies' header came back off the bar after he got on the end of a long Danny Emmington throw. Four minutes after that and McQuaid thumped the bar with a free kick after Jack Saunders was brought down.

Gillies then saw a fierce effort saved, with strike partner Friend's rebound blocked on the line as March hammered on the door.

And that door gave way after 23 minutes when captain Emmington's free kick was headed out of the box straight to McQuaid, whose 20 yard volley gave the keeper no chance. But just before the break the visitors went close themselves, with Ethan Broom rising high to head a free kick inches wide of Charlie Congreve's far post.

Gillies went close twice in the opening stages of the second half, and the match was won on the hour when keeper Shorten brought down Friend and the division's top scorer got up to smash home his 25th goal of the season.

Friend and Gillies both went close on two more occasions but the Hares had to settle for the 2-0 win, finishing against 10 men after Rae was dismissed late on after fouling Gillies to earn a second yellow card after being booked in the first half for tripping Emmington.

March (4-1-3-2, r-l): Congreve; Garner, Emmington, Miller, Brumby; Callaghan (Gibson 79 mins); Burrows, McQuaid (Green 75), Saunders (Cowie 67); Friend, Gillies. Subs (not used): Cavozzi, Edwards.

Woodbridge: Shorten,Rae, Mallett, Capel, Churchyard, Southgate, Sinclair, E Broom (M Broom 56 mins), Ray, Trotter, Keeble. Subs (not used): Snell, Ruth-Pateman.

Booked: Shorten, Rae (Woodbridge), Green (March).

Sent off: Rae (Woodbridge).

Star man: Eoin McQuaid - scored a wonderful goal and dictated much of the play.

Attendance: 258.