CAMBS LEAGUE DIV ONE

Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (2) vs Cambridge Ladies 2nd XI (2)

Deeping Ladies played a postponed match against Cambs Ladies 2nd encountering the usual problems associated with slip date fixtures against a club’s 2nd team. Facing several players of high ability the Deeping Ladies showed that they would be comfortable in a higher league. Play was initially slow on a soggy pitch and both teams used the spaces well to add pace. From the off Deeping dominated and the first half was played almost entirely in their attacking D. The pairing of Karen Goddard and Sarah Smith up front was again fearsome and Jenny Brassington had a magnificent game, pestering the Cambs defence continually. Eventually a back line run from Brassington and a well executed ball across the goalmouth gave Goddard the chance to slam in a goal and open the scoring.Cambs fought back but Laura Gwilliam was formidable in the goal. She thoughtfully cleared and gave no opportunity for the opposition to score. Unfortunately a wild deflection from a short corner shot drew Cambs level just before half time.

The second half was more even with Cambs making several breaks however the pace from the Deeping defenders Catlin, Newitt and Ellington meant the runs were closed down. A Catlin clearance started a move based on clever passing in the midfield and a final ball through to Smith who put Deeping ahead again. Unfortunately for Deeping the Cambs centre forward was not about to give up and from here on she dominated the play for the visitors. A skilful run down the right and a powerful shot from out wide once again brought the teams level.

The game finished at 2-2 which was not the result that Deeping were after, but the performance was good against a strong opposition who displayed skills far above those of a team supposedly floundering at the bottom of the league.

The ladies 2nd XI had the weekend off and a cautious leisure centre cancelled the Bourne and Deeping home games on Friday afternoon, leaving the 1st XI no game.

Division 3NW

Market Deeping 1st XI vs Cambridge Nomads 2nd XI

Match cancelled

Division 4NW

Boston 1st XI (2) vs Market Deeping 2nd XI (6)

The 2nds had a large strong squad for this mid-table six pointer at Boston. As it turned out, defeat would have dropped Deeping into the relegation zone so this was a fabulous win at a ground where Deeping have often had disappointing results.
Deeping discarded their defensive line up of previous weeks and went to 3-4-3 intending to be positive from the start. It worked – they created some good openings in the first five minutes and it was no surprise when Jason Purllant slotted the ball home from close to the penalty spot following a one-two with Mike Gregson from a short corner.

Boston equalised midway through the first half then scored a second shortly afterwards to take the lead - both goals coming from Deeping errors. To their huge credit, heads did not go down and within a minute they had equalised. Kevin Baker's mazy run into the box produced a pass that was steered in at the far post by Steve Waters to end his goal drought.

The second half started as the first ended with MD on top but this time it lasted as fitness and the availability of Deeping subs. told. Deeping were camped in the Boston half, with keeper Steve Allam virtually redundant and the defence soaking up any pressure.  Andy Kind and Phil Arnold down the wings were going past their markers at will and it wasn't long before Arnold scored. Deeping's fourth and fifth goals followed quickly afterwards with Muddy Waters claiming a second and Andy Kind claiming his first.

Deeping were in control and with Boston having the bare 11 to share the workload, their superior pace and fitness told.
It was no surprise when Arnold rounded off the scoring with a well taken second goal and Deeping's sixth. Hopefully Deeping now head into another six pointer with St. Neot’s 3rd next week bursting with confidence and belief

Division 6NW

Horncastle 2nd XI (1) vs Market Deeping 3rd XI (3)

All’s well that ends well, but despite the strength of the 2nd XI Deeping found themselves playing a stronger than usual Horncastle 2nd team squad with a side that practically had to be introduced to each other at the start of the game and with Jack Seton poorly on the bench leaving them with the bare 11. That said they surged forward at the start and all the forwards had chances to score in the first two minutes. Horncastle got their act together and showed that unlike Deeping this week, they had some pace in midfield. Deeping failed to drive home the advantage and from a break Horncastle’s back-hander centre forward cleverly made room to score – a little against the run of play.Deeping were then under the cosh for ten minutes but recovered with a savagely drag flicked short corner goal from Russ Seton.

The second half saw growing Deeping pressure – in fact they were certain that they had scored in the first minute but the umpire ruled the ball hadn’t crossed the line before mysteriously giving Horncastle the ball. But the pressure was unremitting and Horncastle started to hit more and more poor passes which Deeping’s midfield competently picked up and dumped off to the playmakers. Shots rained in but it took a savage Seton short corner to give Deeping the lead.
Five minutes of Horncastle pressure then saw Andy Gregson clear off the Deeping line at a short corner. Jack Seton then made a Lazarus like recovery and proceeded to roast the Horncastle left back and his Dad benefited from the pressure by lashing home another short-corner for his hat trick. More good news saw Spalding 3rd draw and St Neot’s 4th lose as Deeping opened up an 11 point gap in second place as they strive for a second promotion in two years