Ely 2nd XI (0) v Market Deeping Ladies (9)

Deeping were depleted for this half-term Cambs. 2nd division game, but nothing like as badly as some of the men's teams. However this gave some of the mainstream players a chance to shine and they ably demonstrated the benefits of the ladies' superb turn out for training.

Skipper Catherine Flitton moved up to midfield and seemed to surprise herself with a competent holding performance in which she sprayed the ball around to her halves and forwards. Jenny Brassington picked up anything loose including most of the Ely hit-outs. Deeping scored straight from the off – they were probably lucky as there was more than a hint of foot as the ball crossed the line with the Ely umpire unsighted.

Sarah Smith's surging runs always troubled Ely but the ball wouldn't go in. Eventually Smith worked the space with a brilliantly finished run from the half way line to score the first of a hat trick. Jenny Brassington pounced on a Flitton corner late in the half to make it three.

Deeping again scored straight away in the second half and with Smith and Janet Eagle-Smith switching the ball back and forth they both quickly completed their hat tricks. In between Flitton struck two competent short corner goals from a very tidy routine. Clare Stevenson kept winning the ball then used acres of space on the right to supply endless dangerous crosses. The occasional Ely break out was usually snuffed out by Karen Jenkins at centre back or the pro-active Shelley Winbourne.

Deeping have a huge game at home to Saffron Walden next week. Both are unbeaten and haven't conceded a goal – but Deeping have much the better goal difference.

East Div 3NW

Market Deeping 1st XI (7) v St Neot's 2nd XI (0)

Despite playing a depleted St. Neot's team Deeping had to play much better than last week. The skipper made it clear that several players were playing for their place next week.

Deeping started brightly creating several chances before Paul Tancred, the ever-reliable, scored a trade mark opportunist goal. Two more goals followed in quick succession, the first from Paul Tancred who neatly deflected a brilliant solo run and shot from Darren Hetherington into the roof of the net, the second a half-volley from Richard Woods who smashed the ball into net whilst St Neots were busy protesting a decision by the umpire. Two more goals in the first half from Chris Mann and Andy Brassington rounded off a very satisfying performance.

The second half continued in the same fashion with Deeping's continued pressure on the St Neot's goal forcing two more goals. Tancred sealed his hat trick and Andy Kind finished the rout.

A good performance for Deeping after the disappointment of last week but they must keep winning to stay in touch with the early breakaway leaders in the league. They wait nervously to see if they'll lose their new star Hetherington to a London job in the new future.

East Div 5NW

St Neot's 4th XI (1) v Market Deeping 2nd XI (3)

Deeping beat the bottom of the table St Neots more easily than the score suggests. Neot's were hugely depleted by half-term calls and while Deeping were only able to muster 11 players, using their fit youngsters turned out to be a bonus. Deeping dominated the first half without playing that well.

They relied on the Lincolnshire poacher again, Muddy Waters turning in two short corner shots – one from a seemingly impossible angle – to put them two up at halftime. Neot's found it tough to break out – down their right side left half Magnus Windsor's strong tackling won the ball again and again. Down their left they ran into the tireless Matt Brown – promoted from the thirds – and the fast and fit Anthony Barnes who both harried and hassled them into losing the ball. Mike Gregson's mazy runs up the right kept pressuring the Neot's defence.

Oddly enough Deeping's second half performance was far better, with all the main suggestions in the half-time talk about ball speed, first touch stopping and clean striking around the D taken to heart. In midfield Pete Smith finally woke up and began to run things on his terms.

The problem was the St Neot's keeper who kept them in the game with a string of saves. It began to look like an Ali rope-a-dope with a an exhausted Deeping slowing down to walking pace and Neot's beginning to break out. Then the ball ran loose to Windsor on the top of the D and he smashed it home to make the points secure. A very late goalmouth scramble produced a consolation goal for St Neots.

East Div 7NW

Market Deeping 3rd XI

The thirds stay top of 7NW after their game was conceded.