Friend at the double as March blow Bugbrooke away with second half dominance

March Town 3, Bugbrooke St Michaels 1

United Counties League Knockout Cup

A dominant second half performance saw the Hares through to the last 16 of the league cup, but it was not plain sailing, with the home side trailing at the break.

In a match spoiled by some poor decisions from an officious and indecisive refereeing team, March were sluggish in the first half before a transformed second half showing when attacking the Scaffold End.

Two goals from striker Jack Friend and yet another wonderful free kick from Danny Emmington saw them through in a competition where they will now fancy their chances.

Manager Ash Taylor (read his thoughts here) used the tie to give some players game time, bringing in keeper Charlie Congreve for his first start of the season, Scott Callaghan replacing Danny Emmington in central defence, Eoin McQuaid coming in for Jack Saunders and Rob Conyard starting up front alongside Friend and captain for the day Craig Gillies.

The visitors started on the front foot and twice went close early on, the best chance falling to Trent Oakes, who tried to pick his spot but shot wide from 10 yarsd after eight minutes.

Friend then saw an effort saved at the other end and also got a toe on the end of a long punt forwards but steered his effort just wide.

After 26 minutes McQuaid ghosted past three defenders but was denied by the onrushing Badgers keeper Luke Reeve.

But it was the opponents who took the lead three minutes before the break, although it probably should not have counted. A great ball from midfield found Eddie Panter, and while March defenders appealed for both offside and handball, he went on and buried his effort.

March could only improve after the break, and they certainly did as their passing became more expansive, their runs better and their defence solid, particularly Cavan King,who eventually won his battle with the big, strong Panter.

Conyard saw a header and follow up shot superbly double-saved by Reeve after a great ball by Gillies in the 54th minute.

But seconds later and Friend came alive in the box to finish excellently with his seventh of the season to draw the Hares level.

But Bugbrooke were not finished and when Panter broke through in the 60th minute and shot just wide, many thought referee Oliver Potter had awarded a penalty for a push. However, after a long chat with his assistant, a goal kick to March was given.

Another visitors' attack saw a wonderful fingertip save from Congreve to deny Oakes. Manager Taylor had seen enough and made a treble substitution in the 66th minute, bringing regular first teamers Emmington, Saunders and Sam Green into the equation.

Eight minutes later and March took the lead, a wonderful pass from Emmington picking out Friend on the edge of the box. The striker killed the ball dead with his left foot and finished coolly.

Then came the game's boiling point as Gillies was viciously chopped down when through on goal and a melee ensued during which Badgers sub Bailey Weatherly chopped March's Josh Burrows in the back from behind.

Mr Potter took a ridiculously long five minutes to make his mind up over the events, consulting with both his assistants for so long that the Scaffold End started singing Christmas songs. Eventually he handed out five bookings, with only a yellow for the last man foul and nothing at all for Weatherly.

Fittingly, when the free kick for the foul was finally taken, Emmington's free kick from outside the box flew past Reeve and made it 3-1.

Gillies and Saunders both went close to increasing the lead, but any advance on the scoreline would have been rough on the battling visitors.

March (4-3-3, r-l): Congreve; Burrows, King, Callaghan (Emmington 66 mins), Brumby (Biggs 90); Murphy,McQuaid (Saunders 66), Romanos (Green 66); Gillies, Conyard (Edwards 90), Friend.

Bugbrooke: Reeve, Nash, Simmons, Walton, Glennon, J Webster, Coulson, A Webster, Panter, Oakes, King. Subs: Hallmark, Shehi, Spencer, Weatherly, Dalton.

Star man: Cavan King - faced a tough battle against big striker Eddie Panter, but grew into the fight and snuffed him out after the break.

Attendance: 228.