March rue disallowed goal but are deservedly dumped out of FA Cup

March Town 1, Sheringham 2

Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

All the talk at full time was of a controversial March 'equaliser' that was ruled out for allegedly not crossing the line.

However, although Craig Gillies' header looked to most in the ground to have gone over after striking the bar, a draw would have been so harsh on Sheringham, who carved open the home defence time and again.

Only keeper Jonah Gill impressed for the Hares as he made a string of top class saves, but the rest of his side were laboured and uninspiring and the scoreline really did not reflect the gulf in class on the day.

Rarely is a side managed by Ash Taylor outrun and outfought, but, simply put, it was the Norfolk side who wanted it more today and the winning margin could and should have been more impressive.

Taylor, already missing first choice keeper Charlie Congreve, striker Ryan Lennon and midfielder Sam Murphy through injury, received a further blow when influential captain Danny Emmington was stretchered off just before half time with a knee injury.

Josh Burrows and Sam Green were also unavailable for this game, but the Hares starting line up still should have been good enough to compete on a level footing with their fellow Step 5 opponents, promoted last season from the First Division North to the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League.

Whether March, who the FA switched from that league to the United Counties League, were feeling over-confident after winning their opening two fixtures, or whether their early opponents didn't test them enough, we can only guess, but today they were just not good enough.

Right from the start, the Shannocks showed their intent, striker Jamie Smith's shot being well saved by Gill in the second minute, and the impressive Jamie Nelson clipping an effort just wide three minutes later.

The visitors were looking hungry and denying the home side any chances of their own. Then things got worse when Emmington went down heavily in the 43rd minute and was stretchered off. The captain was there to see the tail-end of the match, but confirmed he expects to be out for some time.

However, totally against the run of play, the Hares made it 1-0 at the break, full back Sam Garner running in from the right and driving a rasping effort past Denham Oliver in the third minute of first half added time.

Sheringham obviously didn't feel sorry for themselves, and pulled back within 60 seconds of the re-start, Nelson with a crisp finish. The same player skewed an effort inches wide just a minute later as March, missing their inspirational captain, looked all at sea.

Gill pulled off another great save on the hour to deny George Diggens, but a minute later the striker got on the end of a save from his original effort to score what turned out to be the winner.

Taylor threw on creative midfielder Eoin McQuaid, but he made little impact and the home team resorted to long balls as Gill saved them three more times before the Gillies incident in the 80th minute.

McQuaid whipped in a great corner, Gillies rose and his header smashed against the bar and appeared to fall over the line. The assistant referee said it didn't. Myself, the March players and all those supporters around me certainly thought it did, but it's his decision that counts.

However, the bad luck did finally buoy March as they mounted an attacking threat at last. Striker Jack Friend burst through but saw his effort from his weaker right foot saved, Jack Saunders' header was clawed away by Oliver and then an angled drive by Friend flew inches wide.

Away keeper Oliver was then lucky not to at least be booked as he rushed out of his area and clattered Friend, who got up quickly to shoot just over the bar. Oliver was replaced by an outfield player but only three of 11 added minutes remained and March, although huffing and puffing, couldn't get the equaliser.

March Town: Gill, Garner, Brumby, Callaghan, Emmington (Cooper 41 mins), Ramanos, Gibson (McQuaid 62), Saunders, Gillies, Friend, Cowie. Subs (not used) Conyard, Goodby, Edwards.

Sheringham: Oliver, Haylett, Mattocks, Galley, Cox, Bobby, Hagan, Money, Smith, Diggens, Nelson. Subs: Hinton, Hilson-Towns, Gate'te, Wenn.

Booked: Cox, Haylett (Sheringham); Friend (March).

Star man: Jonah Gill – looked absolute class between the sticks as he denied the opponents time and again.

Attendance: 263.