Boss Whaley says March Town too “flat” at Cornard in Thurlow Nunn League First Division North loss

Thurlow Nunn League First Division North

Cornard United 3 March Town United 2

The “flat” Hares blew a 2-0 lead at 12th-place Cornard and drop to sixth in the Eastern Counties TNL D1 North.

In the first half Craig Gillies struck home a penalty after a foul on Jack Friend, who then netted, but the hosts scored just before half-time to begin their comeback.

March boss Brett Whaley said: “It wasn’t the best day. We got there late because of the traffic. Some of the players got there on time; some a bit late. I actually got to the ground at ten to three along with a couple of players.

“But we got a good start and went 2-0 up. We gave away a silly goal just before half-time.

“In the second half we had chances but didn’t take them. Charlie (Congreve) in goal dropped a shot which they scored from then they scored from a deflected free-kick with ten minutes to go.

“We just weren’t quite ourselves; didn’t seem to have the same energy about us that we’ve had in the last few weeks.

“It’s something we’ve got to learn: you can’t turn up some weeks and not others. We just seemed quite flat. Cornard were quite down at 2-0; scoring just before the break pepped them up. When the game’s at 2-2, the initiative is with them.

“Sides at the top of the league don’t have those flat days. The problem is we win a couple and then lose one. We’ve put ourselves under pressure.”

The Hares since the autumn have had few away league and cup trips.

Since winning 6-1 at strugglers Framlingham Town on Sep 28, trips to Fakenham and Mulbarton have resulted in defeat plus a victory at Felixstowe & Walton United Res and a win at Eynesbury United in the Cambs Cup.

March end 2020 with the two toughest TNL tests possible: they host second-spot Mulbarton Wanderers on Saturday, when Jack Saunders, Lewis Gibson and Toby Allen are due to return. They resume their fixtures away at leaders Downham Town on Dec 28 for their final game of the year.

Whaley said: “They are very difficult but I still maintain at our best we’re a match for anybody in this league. They are two tough tests. If we’re flat again we won’t get results in those two games.”