Vice-chairman Gerry Roe has urged fans not to panic after Saturday’s dismal opening day defeat to Thetford Town.

Ridgeons First Division

March Town United 0 Thetford Town 3

Vice-chairman Gerry Roe has urged fans not to panic after Saturday’s dismal opening day defeat to Thetford Town.

The Hares were two goals, and a player down within 20 minutes following skipper Luke Pepper’s dismissal for violent conduct. The home side never fully recovered and conceded a third before the break but Roe refused to dwell on the bad start.

He said: “It was our worst display for many months and we all know that but we

hope to see a response from the player’s this Saturday.

“We started off last season with a defeat and ended up having a good campaign so we are hoping for the same again really.”

March were simply blown away in the early stages as Andrew Wood and Aaron Piggott put the visitors in front. Pepper’s sending-off didn’t help the home sides cause but any lingering hopes of a comeback were dashed before half-time when Danny Tanti netted from close-range.

The scoreline could have been worse had keeper Lee Brookes not saved a second-half penalty.

Roe said: “Thetford were the better team on the day and some times you have just got to hold your hands up. We were always chasing the game and they deserved to win.

“We are hoping to see a big improvement but you never can tell in football.”

Saturday’s F.A Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie gives the side an immediate chance to bounce back. They face Gorleston, who beat Cornard 2-0 away in their Ridgeons Division One opener, at the GER ground.

March: Brookes, Day, Welcher, Sutton, Norman, Bogusz, Richardson, Pepper, Newton, Brand, Escorcio – Subs used: Bates, Bryan and Wheeler.