March Town must raise their game, says boss Bartlett after disappointing start
March Town boss, Chris Bartlett. - Credit: Archant
March Town must raise their game after a miserable start to the Thurlow Nunn League First Division season.
That is the warning from manager Chris Bartlett after the Hares picked up only one point from their opening three matches of the campaign.
A 1-1 draw at newcomers Coggeshall last Saturday, when Luke Pepper hit a leveller, has sandwiched two home defeats.
The last of those arrived on Tuesday night when they were beaten 3-2 by Haverhill Borough at the GER despite a Kevin Holt volley (his first goal for the club) and a Dan Woods penalty.
Bartlett said: “We’re really disappointed with the way things have gone so far, but we’re certainly not pressing the panic button with 37 games to go and 111 points still to play for.
“However, there is no doubt we all need to improve individually and collectively.
“We have a small squad which means we are fighting in a couple of positions and we lack the sort of competition for places that I’d ideally like.
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“That breeds a bit of complacency and it is something I’ve got to address as manager.
“The players are much better than they have shown so far and ultimately I’ve got to be better as well.”
Things don’t look set to get any easier for March as they host Halstead tomorrow (3pm).
The visitors beat higher-level Newmarket Town in an FA Cup extra preliminary round clash in midweek and Bartlett knows it will require a complete, 90-minute performance to earn a first win of the campaign.
He added: “We’ve had good spells and good halves so far, but now we need to step up and put a full 90 minute display in.
“And we definitely have to take advantage of our home games. Losing twice at our place already is very disappointing as we need to make it a fortress.”
