Russell confident of improvements during pre-season

MARCH Town United co-manager Alan Russell is in a bullish mood thanks to an encouraging pre-season display from his team.

Russell said: "The summer has gone really well and I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players at the club.

"When I came into the club I didn't want the existing players to think that I was going to completely overhaul the squad with players I already knew."

He added: "I have made sure the team has retained the quality players it had already, while bringing in new faces that I thought would make us stronger."

The latest signing is former Fakenham keeper Trevor Marshall, who confirmed his move to the Hares on Tuesday evening.

Russell said: "Trevor is a very good keeper and we are lucky to get a player of his standing. We certainly need him in the squad given that Lee Brooks' shoulder injury is sure to put him out for a long time and Chris Anker will soon return to university."

The performances in preseason friendlies has also encouraged Russell, who said: "We have played well and this has been matched by the good work put in by the players during training."

He added: "Everyone at the club has remarked that they can see improvements in the team. Last season I think that we were a side who would get bullied out of matches but we are working to make sure that doesn't happen this time."

The Hares make the short trip to play Chatteris Town for the Derek Brown Memorial Trophy tomorrow (Saturday).

This fixture will be the first between the two teams for more than five years and the trophy is named after the former Chatteris captain and centre half.

The trophy was originally presented to the winners of the Isle League but following

Derek's death in 1989, it was renamed and now, the

Lilies hope to make the match an annual fixture.

Kick-off is at 3pm at West Street.