MARCH HOP UP TO FOURTH

MARCH TOWN UNITED 3 FAKENHAM TOWN 1
EASTERN COUNTIES FIRST DIVISION NORTH @ ROBINGOODFELLOWS LANE
22 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

MARCH TOWN UNITED FC

The Hares hopped over Fakenham and into fourth place thanks to a brace from Craig Gillies including a wonder goal and a superb finish from Toby Allen.  This would be Fakenham's first defeat since Christmas and a major victory for the high flyers of March as they will look to secure fourth place next weekend at Diss.
So why March well after coming back from St Ives Chris from the Buxton parish just happened to say 'you need to take a look at March', up for the challenge the research was done and after a departure at 1050 from base station a change at Peterborough nearly two hours later gave a forty minute break which allowed a viewing of the new in trial LNER Azuma and the chance to purchase one of those very reasonably priced pasties!

HOW BIG IS OUR TOWN HALL

Departing towards March and the Fenlands saw the scenery change radically into flat lands and the most interesting thing about departure at the station is the closed platforms and to the north of the station the former Whitemoor marshalling yards which in the 1930s where one of the largest in Europe now closed in the 90s.  The area was the junction for Great Eastern Railway and Great Northern Railway and the former is the instigator of todays sports ground our ultimate destination and the stadium still carries that name.

EDWARD V111 ROYAL CYPHER

The temperature rise over the bank holiday period made the fifteen minute stride into March a sharp one but once again a small functional town with an amazingly ostentatious town hall, spoons in a former cinema and water fountain being a few of the highlights along with the River Nene which passes through the centre of March.  Slightly off the main shopping area is the Post Office which features one of the small amount of royal markings for Edward V111 with most buildings and post boxes displaying ER11, this was a reminder of history to the formers short reign before abdication.  Not many Royal Cypher's were changed and the few that were like the one here in March remain a reminder to times gone by.
A brief walk back towards the station finds The GER Ground, formed in 1923 during its time has staged speedway, football, cricket, cycling and greyhounds the latter saw its first race in 1961 before its closure in 1984.  The track was a grass surface and operated with an inside hare system indeed the football club at the time were non too impressed by the moving of the stand away from the pitch to accommodate the dog track.  Part of the former track area has been sold and houses build on so replacing some of the curve to the south of the stadium.

THE ICONIC LIGHTS DOWN THE ENCLOSURE AND DUG OUT SIDE

How's it look today, well after entering through the small new clubhouse with adjoining changing rooms you pass out into the ground to the left is the snack bar but its to the right we go the star of the show is undoubtedly the stand apart from a small brick base this is all wooded and absolute old school gem which I'm led to believe is up for replacement so visit soon.  To the front is a grassed paddock/picnic area moving on the former greyhound judges box is still in situ and towards the top corner are a selection of modern turnstiles which appear not to be in use any more.  The sites former partner is clearly influential in that viewing down both touchlines finds you frustratingly far from the action.  The far goal has a walkway and grass banking behind it and the initial weed strewn far side gradually drops away from the pitch with a yellow and black covered terrace which sadly has a completely obliterated view of the pitch by the placement of dug outs in front of it.  Behind the goal by the side of our entrance is uncovered walkway and we are back at the start to pay our entrance fee at a table within the club house and obtain a programme.  The 8 floodlights are of the station/pit yard type and impressive structures that add to the feel of this ground overall though I guess parts of this ground are not used too much and todays crowd is a fantastic response from the locals bringing in 167 on the gate, higher than normal.

RYAN CURTIS OF FAKENHAM ON THE BALL WITH THE
FORMER GREYHOUND JUDGES BOX IN THE BACKGROUND

Before the game it was good to catch up with the clubs video supplier who was busy setting up various cameras and microphones around the ground you can see the action via the clubs twitter feed and its well worth a look.
The action had started tentatively until that was on 14 minutes a deep free kick found the visitors Alex Walpole inexplicably place the ball back across his own goal and it was Gillies who forced the ball home at the far post to give The Hares the lead.

MARCH IN CONTROL IN EARLY FIRST HALF ACTION

Just under ten minutes later Fakenham were level a nice whipped in cross off the left found Walpole make amends with a sharp header.
March were in the lead again on 29 minutes with the ball flying about under no control from either time a header down fell to Gillies 35 yards out and he lashed the ball on the half volley over the head of Tom Coombe in the visitors goal only for it to nestle into the back of the net, one to tell the grandkids about Craig.

ALEX WALPOLE HEADS THE EQUALISER FOR FAKENHAM

The second period started with the visitors upping the tempo but a goal would not come and you did gain the impression that March were sitting comfortably on this game. 
Thankfully we did see another goal and it was for the home side when Allen was put through and unleashed a superb finish to make it 3-1.  Before being substituted Allen showed his striking prowess with another well timed strike but over the closing fifteen minutes referee Lander could have blown up this was over as a contest Fakenham had nothing at all to give and March were happy with what they had secured.

YOU NEED HANDS

Nice little club with an historical sporting facility which still affects its viewing today from the sidelines with its impressive main stand remaining a steadfast reminder of its past and current days of sport in March.
Walk back to the station was comfortably in time for the Greater Anglia, first time experienced, service to Peterborough with a 45 minute wait there was time to visit Waitrose and meet up with Sam who had been to Watch the Saints derby Ives v Neots unfortunately a 0-0 outcome.  The luxury of a direct service saw arrival back at base just after 8pm from an enjoyable debut in The Eastern Counties League and a visit to March.