March Town boss pleased with FA Cup display during defeat at Newmarket Town
March Town manager Ash Taylor was pleased with his side's spirited FA Cup showing even though they crashed out of the competition with a defeat at higher-league Newmarket Town.
The Hares were beaten 3-1 on their travels against their Isthmian League North Division hosts who were promoted out of the Eastern Counties League last season.
Speaking after the tie, Taylor, whose side had lost 3-0 at home to Godmanchester Rovers in midweek, said: "There was so much in the game that I was really happy with.
“We knew it was going to be a really tough game but as for us competing with them, I thought we did that for long periods.
"They had a little bit more know-how at certain times in the game to score at crucial periods. They scored early and you want to see a reaction and I got that with our goal a couple of minutes later.
"I thought we were the better team then for long periods and they only looked like hurting us on the counterattack.
"Their second was a great goal and he's got across our defender and put it into the top corner.
"We had some moments to get back into the game and pull it back to 2-2 but we didn't take them and they scored a third as we were chasing it.
"In the end, they took their chances at crucial times and we didn't but there were a lot more positives for us to take from today."
In a thrilling end-to-end first half, the Jockeys took the lead after just three minutes through Jose Santa De La Paz on his debut only for Dan Bucciero to level for the Hares three minutes later.
Isaac Maynard headed the home side 2-1 up in the 25th minute and Newmarket wrapped up the win with another debut goal, from substitute Stan Leech, 11 minutes from the end.
Taylor praised Harry Biggs for his contribution, saying: "It was his first competitive start for us today and there was no hiding away from the fact that we were missing a few players, but I'm not using that as an excuse for our defeat.
"We've been working with him for quite a while. Today he got his opportunity and he showed that he is more than ready for us.
"When he got the ball he was calm and he got around the pitch so for him to do that is a big step for him. He blew up with 20 minutes to go as his legs had gone so he's just got to get used to the intensity a bit more."
On Saturday, March host early league leaders Aylestone Park at the GER.
"It hurts as we've now lost two games on the bounce and that doesn't happen very often," admitted Taylor.
"The game Tuesday was a bad night for us but what I saw today was so much better and gives us a platform to build on.
"I think Aylestone Park and St Neots are two of the favourites for the title but if we show the same attitude and commitment as we did today and a bit more composure at certain times I'm confident we can get a good result."
March: J Gill, D Bucciero (S Cavozzi), J Saunders, J Withers, D Emmington, A Brumby, J Burrows, S Green, D Cotton, H Biggs (D Escorcio), A Williams (L Cowie). Subs (not used): S Callaghan, L Pepper.