Match Preview

Wisbech Town’s FA Cup clash with near neighbours March on Saturday is one of their biggest matches since the clubs last met in the cup 11 years ago.
On that day, September 6, 2011, the Fenmen emerged with a 3-2 replay win in a match watched by 830 spectators, a record gate for the Fenland Stadium, now Fountain Fresh Park, which stands to this day.
The clubs have met no less than 14 times in the FA Cup since 1947/48 and Wisbech just have the edge, with six wins, four draws and four defeats. But they have much the better record over the last eight matches dating back to 1957/58, winning five and drawing three.
In fact the Hares have not beaten Wisbech in the cup since 1956/57 when a 0-0 draw at Fenland Park was followed by March winning the replay 2-1 at their GER ground. Their first meeting just after the war, in 1947/48, resulted in a 2-0 home victory for the Hares.
March have reached the FA Cup first round proper twice, in 1955/56 (lost 4-0 at Brentford) and again in 1978/79 (lost 2-0 at Swindon).
There are a number of links between the present day clubs, perhaps not surprising when they are just 10 miles apart. Seb Hayes, recently promoted to the position of joint manager of March alongside Ash Taylor, was boss of Wisbech in 2019/20 during their time in the Northern Premier League.
Sam Murphy played for the Hares last season but is now back with The Fenmen and will make an early appearance against his former club. But prolific scorer, Jack Friend, a former Fenman, has recently left March and signed for Ely City.
March have added a number of vastly experienced players to their squad this summer including ex-Fenman Declan Rogers, striker Josh Moreman and defender Dan Bucciero. Jay Wyatt, another former Fenman, has also joined. March skipper Danny Emmington is yet another ex-Wisbech player. The Fenmen are likely to include Charlie Congreve and Rob Conyard in their squad, who were both at March last season .
The Hares are on an upward curve having spent a number of seasons struggling in Division One of the Thurlow Nunn League. They were promoted to the ECL Premier Division in 2021 and moved to the United Counties League Premier Division South last year.
March began promisingly, holding a high position in the first half of the season, but fell away after Christmas. They also attracted the fans, often attracting gates of 300 plus to the GER.

History
March were formed in 1885 and spent time in the Cambridgeshire League and Peterborough League up to the Second World War. In 1947/48 March won the Peterborough League Division One title and moved up to the United Counties League. The club were renamed March Town United in 1950, having moved to March GER United's GER ground. They were UCL champions in 1953/54 and then transferred to the Eastern Counties League, where they remained until 2021.
They finished runners-up in 1954/55 and again in 1960/61, eventually winning the league in 1987/88 while managed by Wisbech legend Roy Mcmanus. But they finished bottom of the Premier Division in 1996/97 and were relegated to Division One.

Preview by Adrian Lynn