March Town United manager Chris Bartlett says his side can be a match for anyone in the division as they get ready to kick off their league campaign at home to Stowmarket Town on Saturday.

Cambs Times: From left to right: Alan Munton (father of Karl) Ash Brand and John Whiteway (Father of Ben). Picture: PHIL WHITE.From left to right: Alan Munton (father of Karl) Ash Brand and John Whiteway (Father of Ben). Picture: PHIL WHITE. (Image: Archant)

The Hares finished bottom of the Thurlow Nunn First Division last season but, bolstered by a string of new signings, have been impressive in pre-season, picking up four straight wins.

On Saturday, they beat Chatteris Town 6-2 in the annual BKD Cup match, played in memory of March players Ben Whiteway, Karl Munton and Daniel Runacres who were killed in a car crash in 2002.

But, while admitting there are signs of “optimism”, Bartlett says not too much should be read into pre-season results.

He said: “We are about where we thought we would be. We are pleased with our progress in terms of the group but you should not get over-excited about pre-season results.

“There is optimism but this needs to be tempered with realism. We will find out a lot more about where we are in the first four to five weeks of the season.”

March surged into a 2-0 first half lead but were pegged back to 3-2 before three late strikes gave the scoreline an emphatic look.

The Hares’ goals were scored by Dan Woods (2), Lewis McManus, Denny Escorcio, Jordan Goult and Sean White.

Bartlett said: “We had all the ball in the first half and passed it with more urgency but in the second half we took our foot off the gas and got jittery before scoring three in the last 20 minutes. It was a reasonable performance, nothing more.”

Bartlett says he expects a physical challenge from Saturday’s visitors.

He said: “it will be a step into the unknown for us but we can assume every time in this league will have strengthened and, from speaking to a few people, I expect them to be strong physically.

“But, if we get ourselves right, we will be able to match any team in this division.”