Hares Skinned By Market - March Town United vs. Stowmarket Town

The stand and control tower at The GER Sports Ground

It appears that spring is finally here which means that normal service can be resumed with regards to picking games. I had be planning to visit March since hearing that the stand at The GER Sports Ground was to be demolished in the very near future. The stand is going to be cleared to allow the construction of a new clubhouse and changing rooms. Both sides were having disappointing seasons and were both sat towards to the bottom of The Eastern Counties League Division One table. In the reverse fixture at Greens Meadow in November the points were shared following a one - one draw.

Just before kick off in sunny Cambridgeshire

Stowmarket begin the game on the front foot and they manage to get in to the box twice in the opening exchanges and both times they fail to find a Stowmarket forward. When a Stowmarket forward does get to a ball in to the box he heads it back across goal for a fellow forward to nod his side in to the lead from close range. The March keeper is then almost caught out by a vicious in swinging corner but he manages to keep the ball out of the net. He is however picking the ball out of the net shortly afterwards as the forward slots the ball home following a good move. March then have their first serious attack but no one can connect with a good cross in to the box. That chance provides only a brief rest bite as the Stowmarket striker is able to hold off the centre back to score his sides third goal. Stowmarket create further chances before a March effort from distance goes well wide. March's afternoon then gets worse as the centre back is sent off for holding back the Stowmarket forward from going clean through.

Covered accommodation behind the dugouts

Stowmarket have a couple of chances at the start of the second half but the March defence are able to keep them out. The home side then get in to a decent attacking position but the cross is easily dealt with. The visitors then get a forth as a ball forward is flicked on and the ball is put in to the net. The vocal Stowmarket keeper is then forced in to his first real save of the afternoon when he tips over a March free kick from just outside of the area. He is then called in to action as he claims a looping head from close range. The Stowmarket winger then gets to the byline and his cross is deflected in by a March defender to make it five nil. They then score a sixth from distance which possibly got a nick on the way through to deceive the March keeper. In the closing stages, Stowmarket add a seventh following a quick break.    

March on the front foot in the first half

There are no direct services to March from London. You have to get a train from Kings Cross to Cambridge and change there for a train to March. The journey takes around an hour and a half. On March High Street I visited The Griffin Hotel and The Red Lion which both did the job. The former had Sky and BT Sports for the early kick off. The ground is about a ten minute stroll from the train and there is currently no clubhouse. I would absolutely recommend visiting The GER Sports Ground before the stand is removed. While I was waiting for my train I popped in to The Station Hotel which was exceptionally friendly.  

 

A good programme which included recent match reports of the recent ladies team matches and several other interesting articles.

View on the pitch from the tunnel