Ridgeons Division One: March Town United 2 Cornard United 0

GOALS from Ash Brand and Andy Bryan helped lift March off the bottom of the table as they cruised to a 2-0 win at home to Cornard United.

The Hares rarely looked in trouble against a Cornard side that started the day just one place above them, and they immediately took control of the game with Brand drawing early saves from the opposition keeper.

March got their reward for sustained pressure after 20 minutes, when striker Brand smashed a shot into the roof of the net, after great work down the right from 18-year-old debutant Dan Sterna.

Sterna himself went close minutes later, firing just wide after a mazy run, as March took a narrow lead into the half time interval.

The Hares continued to look in control in the second half but they struggled to extend their lead, with Brand, substitute Denny Escorcio, and skipper Marc Welcher all spurning chances.

March finally made the game safe ten minutes from time, when substitute Andy Bryan scored with only his second touch of the game.

Good work from Escorcio released Welcher down the left, whose teasing delivery was converted at the near post by Bryan.

After the game, Hares boss Jamie Weston said it was a relief to get their first league win.

He said: “It’s been a long time coming and it’s nice to just get a win. It’s a big lift for us.

“I think we just had that little bit more quality. It’s a game that if we had been a bit more ruthless it could have been put to bed much sooner.”

Weston was quick to praise his young side for securing three points in the absence of several key players.

“I’m particularly happy with Dan Sterna. He came on today and took his chance really well, setting up the first goal, and I thought Jordan Gault and James Richardson slotted in well.”

With big players set to return to action in the coming weeks, Weston remains confident of a strong season.

“That was key, to get that first win under our belts. I’m convinced that we’ve got the ability to go on now.

“I think we need to improve on what we’ve done today, we can be a lot better than that.

“But the league is going to be tight this year and I think if we can be consistent and get on a run then there is no reason why we can’t get ourselves in amongst promotion.”