March Town are on the verge of history as they travel to play Racing Club Warwick in their United Counties League Premier Division South Play-Off semi-final on Saturday.
A 1-1 draw between March and visitors Warwick in the final league game of the season on Saturday meant that Racing Club finished second in the table and March slipped to fifth, meaning home advantage for the Warwickshire side.
The other semi-final will see third-place Aylestone Park entertain fourth-place St Neots. Whoever wins that tie would enjoy home advantage for the final should March be their opponents but be the away team should RC Warwick emerge victorious. A play-off final will would mean Step 4 football for March for the first time.
On Saturday, the first half was goalless, with Simeon Cobourne giving the Racers a 79th-minute lead. However, the Hares hit back through sub Matt Foy seven minutes later.
On Tuesday evening, March won 2-0 at Bugbrooke St Michaels with Daniel Simmonds scoring both goals.
Manager Ash Taylor said: “We knew there was a possibility of us meeting Warwick again next week in the play-offs and Saturday’s game felt to me like a bit of a chess match at times, just looking at each other.
“I was disappointed with the goal we conceded but I thought we played some good stuff, especially in the first half and we changed things when we went down and came back into it after a wonderful goal from Matty Foy.
“Warwick are exceptional at home and play really good football on the artificial pitch. They are one of the best footballing teams in this division but we’ll do our very best, we have to dream big. We’ve got a chance and if we don’t achieve it, the platform is there for next season.”
March will go into the match with Jack Saunders and Matt Foy both suspended, and Foy’s suspension would also see him miss the final should March progress.
Taylor added: “When you look at our resources compared to a lot of teams in this league, we have got to be so proud of what we have done, I am massively proud of these boys. They’ve given me everything.
“We also have amazing supporters and there’ll be lots of them going to Warwick. That togetherness we have could end up producing something very special.”
On Wednesday, May 8 March play UCL Division One play-off chasers Blackstones in the final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup, at Yaxley.
March: Gill, Bucciero, Saunders, Brumby, Emmington, Withers, Burrows, Green, Gillies, Simmons, Rider. Subs: Edwards, Foy, Whyatt, Cavozzi, Carolan. Star man: Jonah Gill. Attendance: 347.
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