GUTSY Goddy tasted defeat in their first match of 2011 as they were edged out on Monday afternoon.

Ridgeons League Division One

March Town United 3-2 Godmanchester Rovers

GUTSY Goddy tasted defeat in their first match of 2011 as they were edged out on Monday afternoon.

A decimated programme in recent weeks meant it was Rovers’ first league outing since November 20 and their first reverse in the league since the end of September.

They went into the game just one place and two points below March in the table, but a narrow loss sees David Hurst’s charges slip down a place to 10th.

It was also March’s first league game since mid-November and, although Rovers gave them a good run for their money, they were left empty-handed.

Luke Pepper’s brace inspired the home side’s win while Adam Cornell also found the net.

March struck first on 10 minutes but Rovers hit back five minutes later through Jon Hall, who netted after exchanges passes with brother James.

Paul Bass and James Hall both squandered chances to put the visitors in front before United restored their lead five minutes before the break.

Two became three on 70 minutes and, although Dan Metson scored again for Rovers with 10 minutes to play, they were unable to prevent March from taking maximum points.

Manager David Hurst said: “I think on reflection we would’ve been happy to have taken a point and I don’t think we can say we played well enough to win the game.

“It’s disappointing but we’ll get on with it and move on to the next one.”

Goddy are Hunts Senior Cup quarter-final action on Saturday when they make the short trip to Jubilee Park to tackle Huntingdon Town.

Ahead of the game, Hurst said: “Now we’ve got 90 minutes under our belts as well as training this week, we should be better prepared than we were on Monday.”