March Town Ladies were brave as they fell to defeat in Womens Premiership Division action

March Town Ladies fought valiantly but slipped to defeat against Netherton United Ladies on Sunday.

Despite being on the wrong end of an 8-3 scoreline, March coach Gary Davis said his team gave the league leaders quite a fright.

With a number of key players missing, March had to rely on various girls playing out of position. Bearing that in mind, they managed to hold on to a 0-0 scoreline for the opening 20 minutes.

However, three Netherton goals in quick succession gave the away side a commanding lead going into half-time.

Just before the break, March were able to pull one goal back.

An excellent challenge from Megan Webb resulted in Kelsey Ramm being put through on goal. She managed to round the opposition goalkeeper before firing into an empty net.

The Hares started the second half strongly, and harboured hopes of mounting an improbable comeback.

However, a fourth Netherton strike on the hour mark dashed those ambitions.

March weren't done yet, though, and they pulled another goal back after some free-flowing passing put Emma Searle through for their second.

After a shirt pull in the area, the home side were awarded a penalty. With the chance to reduce the deficit to a single goal, Ramm slotted calmly home.

With Netherton rattled, The Hares pushed hard for an equaliser and went agonisingly close through Liv Holden.

However, the league leaders were unwilling to relinquish their hold on top spot and showed their quality in the final stages.

They fired home three more goals in the closing 15 minutes, extinguishing any March hopes and ensuring they stayed at the summit of the Cambridgeshire Womens and Girls County Football League Premier Division on goal difference.

Given the way the match went, the 8-3 scoreline was perhaps harsh on a March side who showed great spirit against a side of Netherton's calibre.

Coach Gary Davis was satisfied with the effort shown by his depleted squad.

"I was really proud of the performance today," he said.

"With two full-backs, a centre-back and a striker playing in midfield, it was a great effort."

The game was the latest in a packed schedule for March Ladies, and it followed up two games in six days against Whittlesey Athletic and Cambridge City A the week before.

The Hares remain in tenth place in the league table, comfortably above a Riverside Ladies First side who occupy bottom spot.

With 13 points from 18 games, Davis' side will harbour hopes of catching Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds in ninth place, who are five points ahead of March having played two games more.