March Town beat Deeping Rangers in trophy clash as Hares hand debut to player who helped Rugby Borough to promotion last season
March Town boss Ash Taylor hopes to add one more player to his squad before Saturday's league opener against Lutterworth Town.
Despite missing six likely starters on Friday night, the Hares delivered a dominant performance in a 2-0 win over Deeping Rangers to retain the BKD Trophy.
Toby Allen was among the scorers for the home outfit, who avenged the Hinchingbrooke Cup final defeat against Brett Whaley's side.
The Hares handed a debut to Rio Henson, who has arrived at Robingoodfellows Lane from Rugby Borough.
A trialist caught Taylor's eye, and after the game, the March boss revealed: "He lit the game up tonight. I told him I’m going to man-mark him myself until he signs. I’m not letting him go.”
The March boss has also added John-Paul Duncliffe and Richard King to his management team at the GER.
On their arrivals, Taylor said: "JP had an incredible career in the game, winning numerous trophies playing for Yaxley, Deeping and St Neots.
"This is his first step into management and he has had an immediate impact since coming in.
"Kingy was working at Step 3 St Ives Town last season as a goalkeeper coach and was at Kettering Town before that.
"He’s also previously been a manager at Rothwell Corinthians. His experience being involved at a higher level will be important to us.
“They’re brilliant additions. I’m a young manager and I need experienced people around me. We’ve now got a solid backroom team and we’re ready," said Taylor.
The BKD Trophy has deep emotional significance to the club.
It is an annual pre-season fixture played in memory of three March Under 18 players – Ben Whiteway, Karl Munton and Daniel Runacres – who tragically died in a car crash in 2002.
“It’s a trophy that, since I’ve been here, we’ve never lost,” said Taylor after the 2-0 victory.
“There’s a meaning behind this one as it honours three young lads who lost their lives, one of whom was John (Whiteway's) son. I’m standing above John’s bar right now, and he’s still with the club and supports us. It means a lot.”
Taylor made it clear the game was anything but a friendly, adding: “For me, this wasn’t a pre-season game.
"It was a competitive fixture we wanted to win, and the lads reflected that in their performance - in the duels, the work rate, and their desire.”
The win rounds off a solid end to the close season, with three straight victories and three clean sheets, a run that bodes well heading into Saturday’s league opener against Lutterworth.
“It’s been a challenging pre-season,” the Hares boss admitted.
“We started by losing two and looked a bit light after losing some players unexpectedly. But we adapted, and to finish the way we have - with clean sheets and goals - is a real positive.”