CAMBS LEAGUE DIV ONE

Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (4) vs Sawtry Ladies XI (1)

Market Deeping Ladies 1st extended their unbeaten run in style as they took on Sawtry. Deeping are sometimes sluggish in the first half, but they surprised even themselves by starting the match alert and in control. From the whistle their passing was accurate and skilful, especially their short-passing game as they weaved through the Sawtry defence. It took only minutes to win their first short corner, the shot was saved but the follow up was struck forcefully at the right post where a Ellie Allam was perfectly positioned to deflect it in.

Buoyed by the early lead Deeping attacked even harder. It’s impossible to pick out too many stars as every player worked together, calling and moving into space fluidly, supporting one another and seemingly winning every ball. The pressure was constantly on Sawtry and eventually Karen Goddard skilfully lifted the ball and it was helped on by a Sawtry stick as it flew over the keeper for number two. Deeping’s attacks didn’t diminish and a couple of excellent crosses were only just missed on the post. Another short corner was awarded, the Sawtry defence came out fast but two deft passes worked the ball to Jenny Brassington who pushed it neatly past the keeper. Deeping came under five minutes of pressure before half time as Sawtry started to pick up winning several short corners but this merely gave the defence a chance to show their prowess as they cleared consistently.

After half time Sawtry improved and for some time they hounded the Deeping defence. For sheer determination the defence could not be faulted and this was backed by commanding play and a couple of quality saves from keeper Laura Gwilliam to keep the sheet clean. The midfield was still full of running and they got the ball back to the tireless midfield, and from here a clever final pass caught Sawtry on the break. Sarah Smith used her amazing pace from the half way line and as the ball rebounded she was there to drill the ball home from the top of the D into the corner of the goal. Still Sawtry didn’t give up and for the last five minutes they relentlessly attacked the Deeping goal. One last battle saw them pick up every rebound, pushing it back at the goal until finally they scored.

Deeping’s have never played better since their re-birth a couple of years ago, and they now sit in second place in the league, behind Newmarket only on goal difference.

CAMBS LEAGUE DIV TWO

Peterborough Ladies 4th XI (4) vs Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (1)

Deeping’s 2nd team continue to play the best hockey they can, and they started with pace, good passing and clear calling for the ball but it was quickly clear that Peterborough were the stronger team. There was some tidy tackling from Grace McDonald on the top of the D. Peterborough took the lead, but Deeping worked the ball out of defence to the wings and back up the pitch to the forwards and Anja Mackenzie finished the move to equalise. Deeping had to go on defending hard with Debbie Bowen clearing well before Peterborough scored to make it 2-1 at half time.

Deeping kept trying, after a strong half-time team talk. Sophie Goodrum cleared well but despite several attempts at goal, Deeping were tiring, and Peterborough drove home their advantage for a 4 – 1 win.

Division 3NW

Market Deeping 1st XI (2) vs Long Sutton 2nd XI (4)

Depleted by skipper Simon Wilmot's wedding and a string of injuries the first team lost a bad tempered match with Long Sutton - Russ Seton and Chris Mann scored.

Division 4NW

St. Ives 3rd XI (5) vs Market Deeping 2nd XI (1)

Division 6NW

St. Neots 4th XI (3) vs Market Deeping 3rd XI (1)

Relegated St Neots played promoted Deeping and the experience of higher level hockey probably showed as Deeping failed to pass the ball with any consistency. They held St. Neots until half-time but the first Neot’s goal shortly after the break knocked the stuffing out of Deeping. They did reply late on with a good move that saw an accurate pass from Tom Allam smashed into the net by Phil Arnold – a high-quality finish that wasn’t matched by the rest of their play.