Downham Town 0, March Town 3

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League division one north

Downham were disappointing as they were well beaten by their derby rivals in front of a large crowd at the Memorial Playing Field this afternoon.

There was no lack of effort from Craig Dickson and Dale Stokes' men but on the day they were just not good enough.

Starting the day on top of the division, the home side started slowly against their sixth placed opponents, who were backed by a large travelling contingent of supporters. Craig Gillies hit the bar for March with a shot in the opening 60 seconds and, five minutes later, a Toby Allen header also rattled the Downham bar.

The hard-working Jack Frohawk saw an effort blocked after 11 minutes but soon Downham were 1-0 down when a cross from left back Jack Saunders ended up deceiving Duncan McAnally and nestling in the back of the net.

The home team rallied and an effort from Ben Baxter-Hunt was narrowly wide before a Craig Gillies effort for March beat McAnally but was ruled offside. Downham went in at half-time one down.

The home team were again slow out of the traps in the second half and conceded within two minutes, Gillies heading home a Dylan Edge cross. Visiting striker Toby Allen then saw an effort cleared off the line as The Hares continued to threaten.

But the home side aren't in the promotion places for nothing and were working hard to create a chance. It came in the 65th minute when Frohawk's stinging 25-yard free kick was too hot to handle for Charlie Congreve. However, after letting the ball through his body, the young stopper prevented it from squirming over the line.

Downham used three subs in quick succession as they tried to find a way back but, although Ben Fenn showed some intent, there was no way through. Isaac Bloodworth did, however, see a cross/shot go agonisingly wide.

Downham had kept the division's top scorer Jack Friend quiet all afternoon, but with eight minutes left Allen finally found the striker in some space and he fired home his 28th goal of the season.

Even then, the home side kept battling and Jon Sykes saw an 86th minute effort flash just past the post.

Downham: McAnally, Berry, Gould, Sykes, Yates, Dougal (Fenn 60 mins), Bloodworth, Watts-Sturrock, Baxter-Hunt, Calvert (Oughton 71), Frohawk (Plumb 73). Subs (not used): Sharp, Cox.

March: Congreve, Short, McLeish, Rawson (Rothery 71 mins), Edge (Gibson 85), Emmington, Hilliard (Cooke 64), Saunders, Friend, Allen, Gillies. Sub (not used): B. Warren.

Referee: Ian Pascu.

Goals: Saunders (18 mins, 0-1); Gillies (47 mins, 0-2), Friend (82 mins, 0-3).

Bookings: Rawson (March) – foul.

Attendance: 207.

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