Cambridge League Div 2

Market Deeping Ladies (4) v Saffron Walden Ladies (1)

Deeping came through their biggest test of the season so far as they saw off unbeaten Saffron Walden to defend their own perfect record and open a gap at the top of Cambs Div 2. They were more than a little nervous as they took to the pitch to face Saffron Walden. Neither side had yet conceded a goal. Determined to dominate, Deeping played an attacking formation and the formidable trio of Sarah Smith, Karen Goddard and Janet Eagle-Smith started a barrage of attempts on goal early on. The ball was hit, pushed and flicked from all angles but Deeping were denied a score as the Walden defence battled back. For the first twenty minutes Deeping remained in possession with Jenny Brassington and Helen Middleton forming an impenetrable barrier in midfield. Finally an insightful pass down the centre from Brassington found Goddard who struck Deeping's first goal.

The second half started with increased pressure from Walden and they were soon rewarded with an equaliser. Deeping replied immediately with a spectacular second goal from Goddard who made it look easy as she ran round three of Walden's defence. As the home team regained the lead Walden did not back down and Deeping's defence was put to work. Ailis Carmody made several tricky saves and Middleton (player of the match), successfully fed the ball back up to the attack.

The crowd looked away as a collision with the keeper left Smith on the ground, a flick was awarded but well saved and Tracey Winbourne came on in defence while Smith recovered. Re-invigorated by the rest Smith then came back on focused only on scoring, picking up rebound after rebound until finally one found the goal. For the first time Walden now seemed tired and Eagle-Smith seized the chance to secure Deeping's victory with a fourth goal in the final minutes.

Deeping are intent on running a second team next season and are looking for new players of all ages and abilities. Please call Ladies Captain Catherine Flitton on 07725 987611 or visit the website www.mdhc.org.uk.

East Div 3NW

Cambridge Nomads 2nd XI (4) v Market Deeping 1st XI (4)

A surprisingly useful Cambs. Nomads side led Deeping a merry dance and they were unbelievably lucky to escape with a 3NW league point. The game started as a close affair but Deeping looked unusually sluggish and they never really shook that off. Deeping slightly took the upper hand after five minutes and dominated for the next ten, missing (and mis-hitting) several chances before Nomads escaped to score a soft goal after a muddle in the Deeping D. 

Deeping looked distinctly rattled and fewer chances came until Nomads scored a second soft goal almost unmarked. Deeping still didn't lift their game and were caught on the break just before the interval - and this time keeper Jason Purllant had no chance. Three-nil seemed likely to become four or five before Simon Wilmot slammed home a short corner against the run of play. Now Deeping lifted their game and Paul Tancred forced home a bobbling reverse stick effort. But Cambs. broke away again and scored from a loose ball at a short corner.

Back went Deeping and now they penned in Nomads. With five minutes to go they seemed to have an impossible task. Then with three minutes on the watch Andy Brassington popped home a well-worked short corner, and with less than two to go two chances went begging, Tancred's reverse stick stinger going just wide. Then, with literally seconds on the clock, Tancred slapped home with the last hit of the match to equalise.

The Nomads keeper had a fine game and based on shots at the goal, Deeping should have won easily. But there have been few in the last two years when so many Deeping players have had poor games, and in reality they were incredibly lucky. They stay third but face league leaders Peterborough Town next week in a make or break game.

East Div 5NW

Market Deeping 2nd XI (5) v Boston 2nd XI (1)

Deeping went to the top of East 5NW with this very competent win over an old and much feared enemy.

Refusing this time to be cowed physically, they started the game well, playing with pace, aggression and passing skill. Deeping pressure finally told and midway through the first half they took the lead following a goalmouth scramble, which was buried by Steve Waters. Shortly afterwards Anthony Barnes shot from the left hand side of the area during more Deeping pressure. The keeper saved only for Muddy Waters to pick up his second goal with a deft flick past the keeper from the rebound.

Despite some fine defending from the Deeping back four, characterised by the belligerent Mike Allam, Boston scored a goal against the run of the play. Ray Isaacs in goal was unlucky as he had made two fines saves before the third rebound was finally pushed past him. Deeping's third goal came in the second half following a fine overlap down the right by Phil Tokens, whose pinpoint cross was struck firmly by Ben Walden into the corner.

Deeping pressure continued, and after two penalty corners in quick succession, Jeremy Phipps' goal bound shot was well saved by the Boston keeper only for Steve Waters to mop up the rebound for his hat trick. With two minutes to go Deeping continued to press. Some good work from Ben Walden down the right laid the ball to Mike Gregson at the top of the area. His shot was well saved by the keeper only for Waters to pounce yet again on the rebound for his fourth of the game.

The win gives Deeping a run of five wins on the trot and maintains their position in the upper reaches of the table.  Goal-mad Waters took his tally for the season to 14 in just six games.  As results suggest the Deeping team is in fine form with the defence looking particularly strong, with Jeremy Phipps, Dan Medd and Allam in imperious form. 

East Div 7NW

Ely 5th XI (1) v Market Deeping 3rd XI (5)

Deeping cruised past Ely's young side, who had the fitness but few of the necessary skills to rattle them. They retained the 7NW league leadership, making it three Deeping teams out of four at the top of their leagues. Deeping started brightly and soaked up any Ely pressure without too many problems. Tommo Allam found lots of space on the left and the lively Phil Arnold, tackling and passing well, set him free. Eventually Deeping pressure forced short corners and as this game showed yet again, they score from a lot of them. Russ Seaton promptly belted two of them home to open a gap.

A third "goal" was disallowed as it crossed the line in favour of a Deeping short corner. Then Ely nicked one back just before half-time as Deeping's defence hesitated horribly.

The second half was much better, the defence making no mistakes and the team gradually improving through the half. Ben Walden took the pressure off with a third goal and Deeping started to gel at the back, with Simon Taylor at right half releasing Jack Seaton up the wing. Kev Baker, back after 18 months away with a disc injury, placed the fourth neatly away at another short corner and Kevin Richardson planted the fifth home with trademark accuracy from yet another corner. Deeping's youth are improving and with the return of Baker and, shortly, the long absent Stuart Dacre, so is club availability, so they retain high hopes of a promotion spot this season.

Deeping will treasure an overheard Ely discussion after the game. “All they did was pass the ball better than us…” That's what it's all about…