Football - Wilson waves final farewell
March threaten the Saffron Walden goal
STEVE Wilson has quit as manager of March Town United. On Monday, Wilson announced he was to leave the club following his side's 4-1 league defeat to Saffron Walden Town on Saturday. Wilson said he was leaving the job because it was impacting on his work
STEVE Wilson has quit as manager of March Town United.On Monday, Wilson announced he was to leave the club following his side's 4-1 league defeat to Saffron Walden Town on Saturday.Wilson said he was leaving the job because it was impacting on his work and family life.First team coach Paul Swannell has been appointed manager with former March player Mark Deighton taking over as assistant.Swannell said: "I am disappointed to see Steve go because we worked together really well."However, we have to move on and it was important that we stabilised the situation at the club as quickly as possible."Swannell's first game in charge was Tuesday's Cambs Invitation Cup defeat at Mildenhall Town.Former King's Lynn and Swaffham keeper Lee Smith made his debut for March but the 22-year-old was unable to stop the Hares losing 3-0.Two goals in the first half and another on the hour put March out of the cup but there is more worrying injury news.Paul Cousins limped off with an ankle injury after half an hour before Daniel Moyes suffered a hamstring injury and Luke Pepper broke a finger after colliding with the pitch-side fence.With three substitutions already made before the loss of Pepper, March played the final 20 minutes with 10 men.Swannell said: "We didn't play well at all but the injuries didn't help us at all. I thought Lee Smith had a good debut and he made several good saves in the opening 20 minutes."Paul Cousins and Daniel Moyes are both doubtful for Saturday's match and Mark Welcher and Grant Watson are definitely out. Andy Bryan will be out for a couple of weeks."Wilson's final game in charge proved to be another disappointment for the Hares' fans and the 4-1 home defeat to Saffron Walden put March second bottom of Ridgeons Division One, ahead of Hadleigh United on goal difference.In a physical and often bad-tempered match, March found it difficult to stamp their authority on the game.The visitors created the better goal-scoring opportunities and took the lead on five minutes when a deflected shot fell to the feet of Bradley Green, who tapped in.March could not find a way through the Saffron Walden defence and despite threatening to launch attacks, the home side rarely created any clear-cut chances.The loss of keeper Andy Bryan with a back injury at half time meant that March were forced to introduce Jake Miller between the posts.However, the March midfield finally linked together 16 minutes in to the second half. Tom Chilton was put through on goal and he rounded the keeper before squaring the ball to substitute Ashley Brand, who tapped the ball in.The March revival was shortlived, however, and four minutes later a high ball in to the home box was knocked down to Tommy Butchart who fired in.Three minutes later, the visitors made it 3-1 through Bradley Green.March couldn't rally themselves and five minutes from time, a dangerous cross from the right flank was directed in by Richard Chadwick.n MARCH Town United's Luke Pepper has received an approach from Wisbech Town. New Hares manager Paul Swannell has had talks with Pepper in an attempt to keep him at the club.Pepper has appeared in all but one of March's league games this season and has scored seven league goals.