March Town United livid about “joke” Leiston call off but Bartlett already focusing on “physical” Swaffham challenge

March Town United were left fuming after Saturday’s home game with Leiston Reserves was postponed because the visitors could not field a side.

Chairman Phil White took to Twitter to describe the news as a “joke” and manager Chris Bartlett was similarly unimpressed.

He said: “Their manager phoned me to apologise. He said they had been trying from Thursday to raise a team but they had so many injuries.

“If it was my club I would be embarrassed. As far as I’m concerned we should get the three points.

“One of our players, Jordan Fiddes, was due to have the last game of his suspension against Leiston but now he’ll probably be unavailable on Saturday while the league figure out what to do.

“They may fine Leiston but how will we be recompensed? You don’t expect something like this at this level.”

The Hares will be back in action at fourth place Swaffham Town in the Thurlow Nunn First Division on Saturday. If they win, they will leapfrog them.

When the two sides met in August, March were unlucky to lose 2-1.

Bartlett is in no doubt about what kind of approach Swaffham will take to the game.

He said: “We expect them to be physical. They have a take no prisoners attitude, particularly at home. “They have a winning mentality and a system that suits them. Let’s hope that we have a strong referee.

“This weekend we are going to have some disappointed players who will miss out because we have a strong squad. We can’t use that as an excuse anymore.”

Bartlett believes the next few games will decide whether his side, which is just five points off leaders Debenham LC, have it in them to be title challengers this season.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the next few weeks. We’re going to find out if we are good enough to challenge.”