March Town United fail to make it four wins in a row after Dereham defeat

March Town United tasted defeat for the first time in three games last night after they were narrowly defeated 2-1 away at Dereham Reserves.

The Hares were in high spirits ahead of the game having won their previous three including a 3-1 victory over Leiston Reserves last Saturday.

March began the game positively and almost took an early lead with the first real chance of the game when Matt Cox had a chance from a corner but fired straight at the goalkeeper. Minutes later, Dereham took the lead when Josh Hazell netted after the Hares failed to clear a corner. March tried to respond but Liam Merryweather spurned an opportunity after being played in on the edge of the box by Jordon Goult. Matt Cox picked up a booking late in the first half before Juliano Menezes, who caused Dereham problems throughout the match, fired wide after evading two tackles. The Hares came close to an equaliser in added time in the first half twice - first through Ondre Odain, and then Max Mattless came agonisingly close after his shot was turned over the bar by a defender.

Mattless wasn’t to be denied in the second half, however, and the club captain scored his second goal in as many games after he turned in a Gerard Evans free kick.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, and the home side scored what proved to be the winning goal with seven minutes remaining after James Mortlock conceded a penalty and Dereham forward Connor Green converted.

March’s misery was compounded when Matt Cox was dismissed for a second bookable offence. With seconds remaining, the away side thought they had snatched a point after bundling the ball into the net from a free kick, but it was ruled out for offside and Dereham saw out the win.

The Hares currently lie in 6th place in the Thurlow Nunn Division One and manager Chris Bartlett will be hoping his team can bounce back with a victory against Debenham LC on Saturday.