Cambs. Div two

Market Deeping Ladies (8) v March III (0)

Market Deeping Ladies began life in the Cambridgeshire Ladies League with a bang. Within minutes of pushback Sarah Smith scored the first of her five goals and the Deeping confidence soared.

The partnership in midfield between Jenny Brassington and Helen Middleton was outstanding, it seemed as if they had played together for years rather than just one match. Their skill and pace gave them several chances at goal and finally both were rewarded. Karen Goddard also ran circles around the March defence throughout the game and made sure to put one away before halftime.

A sharp short corner strike from Heather Greenhalgh, tipped into the goal by Smith took the halftime score to 7-0.

March lifted their game in the second half but Deeping kept their heads, held their structure and didn't give in to the pressure. The previously unused defence had their chance to put their training into action and their coaches would be proud. March tried again and again to break through but to no avail, the defence relentlessly channelled, tackled and marked their players to keep Deeping in control. A couple of attempts on goal were easily saved by Ailis Carmody and the clean sheet remained in tact.

Goal Scorers

• Sarah Smith x 5
• Karen Goddard x 1
• Jenny Brassington x 1
• Helen Middleton x 1

Man of the Match

• Sarah Smith

East Div 3NW

Market Deeping 1st XI (5) Long Sutton 2nd XI (0)

For about the first three minutes of their return to Div. 3NW Deeping looked slightly nervous, but once they got their passing in gear, it was clear that their unbeaten year long run in league hockey was unlikely to end.

Sutton's canny and experienced defence held Deeping well until Paul Tancred crashed home the rebound from a slightly dubious short corner to make it one-nil. It stayed this way well into the second half despite Deeping's increasing dominance.

For once the glamour boys up front weren't stealing all the glory. Instead full-backs Treve Wagstaffe (man of the match) and Simon Wilmot were dominant both in defending and in building play and eventually the pressure up front produced the kind of dam-burst that Deeping were used to in Div 4NW last season. Four goals came in rapid time, Tancred jabbing home from close range in a goalmouth melee then finishing off a sweeping move. Paul Byrne's accurate shot was going in before Richard Woods touched it home, and Andy Kind embarrassed the otherwise outstanding Sutton keeper by belting home from an acute near-post angle.

A great start to Deeping's very important season in Div 3NW.

Market Deeping 2nd XI (2) Long Sutton 3rd XI (3)

The seconds lost 3-2 after leading 2-0 at Long Sutton thirds, and Bourne couldn't raise a side to play Deeping's third team.