M3 1-1 March Town Mens 4
This match, which had the look of a title decider to it, ended in an inconclusive draw. Both teams had come into the game well clear of third placed Alford and in fine form, South with four straight league wins, March with eight.
The match opened with March’s pacy young team causing problems for the South defence. A number of good shooting opportunities were created, only last ditch defensive blocks or saves by keeper Will Benedikz preventing a goal. South were relying on the pace of their front three for counterattacks, which nearly succeeded when a fast break got James Bridge through on the keeper. His quick thinking little flick of the ball beat the keeper, but ran agonisingly inches wide of the far post.
The game continued in the same open manner, with John Benedikz spurning a seeming tap-in follow a South short corner routine, and March also having two good chances towards the end of the first half. One shot had found it’s way past keeper Benedikz, only to produce an excellent goalline block from Matt Heap. In another, a South clearance was brought under control by March just outside the D, forcing Benedikz to scramble to the edge of his circle to try and prevent a shot coming in. It was eventually work around him but, by that stage, his defence had woken up and closed down the space for a shot to be taken.
The second half opened with March firing the ball past Benedikz to seemingly take the lead. However, the March umpire, from the opposite half of the field, ran up and instructed the goal be wiped off due to a foot in the build up.
South built on this escape and took the lead themselves half way through the half. A break down the South left by Johnson saw him get into the circle and get his shot away across the face of goal. Jack Chalk was lurking with intent at the far post and he steered the ball in past the stranded March keeper. March started pressing on in search of an equaliser, leaving their defence exposed to South’s nimble forwards. After one March short corner routine was broken up, the ball was played out to Will Marston breaking down the right. His pass set James Bridge through on goal, but unfortunately Bridge’s shot, after beating the keeper, hit the March post and rebounded into play.
Like South before them, March appeared to take heart from the let-off and soon worked an equaliser. A break down their right was eventually worked into the dangerous Andrew Mawser on the edge of the circle. His hard shot gave Benedikz no chance.
In the last ten minutes South appeared to tire, and where on the back foot. March had one further ‘goal’ disallowed, as a long corner was deflected home, but fortunately by a defensive stick.
Overall, a fair result and an accurate reflection of the game. It leaves the 3rds, though currently three points ahead in the league table, slightly second favourites to take the division title, as March have a game in hand and a goal difference that is five better. Each game is now a must-win and goals, goals, goals are required.
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