CAMBS LEAGUE DIV ONE

Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (2) vs Saffron Walden Ladies 1st XI (2)

In the middle of a difficult patch, this week was the Deeping Ladies 1st most disappointing result yet. Player for player they were clearly leagues above their opposition but just couldn’t prove it with a worthy scoreline.
From the off Deeping dominated play and about ten minutes in a great run into space from George Hurford got the ball to Karen Goddard who effortlessly picked up her own rebound and reverse sticked it into goal.
Deeping usually build on a lead but not this week. The momentum was lost with too many Deeping substitutions and the structure suffered. Saffron only looked dangerous on the break, with their centre forward being their outstanding player. A missed pass led to a break and she kept her head to round the keeper and level the score – hugely against the run of play.
Deeping then missed a penalty flick and Becki Allam’s powerful short corner strike was correctly ruled out for being too high.
In the second half the defence again worked tirelessly but the ball wasn’t getting through to the goal. Finally a short corner routine was slipped left and Jenny Brassington moved quickest to pick the deflection up on the post and put the home team ahead again.
Somehow Walden then enjoyed their only dominant period of the whole match and equalised shortly after with some scrappy play in the D leaving a Walden forward completely unmarked and the keeper unsighted.
The remainder of the game highlighted what Deeping needed to work on. Although by far the more skilful set of players they continually played straight into the intelligent Walden defence.
Deeping hadn’t used their heads and their league position will suffer as a result.

CAMBS LEAGUE DIV TWO

Huntingdon Ladies 2nd XI (6) vs Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (2)

Huntingdon were fast and strong and from the start of the game they quickly piled the pressure on the Deeping ladies and scored from a rebound.
This spurred Deeping on and they built on some excellent passes between Emily Reeson and Amy Gwilliam and some excellent tackles from man of the match Leanne Fane and strong passes from Shelley Winbourne. The ball moved back up to the Deeping strikers and Anya Mackenzie scored to equalise.
Confidence was soaring throughout the Deeping ladies and it was not long before Deeping put more pressure on the Hunts defence, a short corner was given and newcomer Dawn Savill slipped it past the goalie to give Deeping the lead. At this stage Deeping were playing some great hockey as the players were working together and calling clearly.
Then Huntingdon got the break they wanted and equalised.
For some reason Deeping started the second half very poorly and lost shape and Huntingdon took advantage to steamroller Deeping with four second half goals.

Division 3NW

Cambridge City 4th XI (3) vs Market Deeping 1st XI (4)

Deeping’s men reminded themselves of what might have been by holding up City’s push for promotion with a surprise win. Deeping welcomed back the heroic Wagstaffe of Afghanistan and he surprised his skipper with a fine game.
After early City pressure, Deeping took a surprise lead through Henry Winfield-Chislett. Cambridge’s attacking formation seemed to be based on pulling the Deeping defenders wide, but skipper Wilmot held central at sweeper while his fit full backs did the hard work. Keeper Jason Purllant was busy but Deeping took a two-goal lead thanks to Paul Tancred. Cambridge got back into the game and equalised after half time. Treeve Wagstaffe then nicked a third for Deeping and when City equalised, skipper Wilmot netted a short corner to give Deeping the winner.
Deeping play mid-table rivals City of Peterborough next week which should give them a good work out before the trek to Andover to play the third round of the HA Vase on Sunday.

Division 4NW

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

Things were not looking good for this vital six pointer when Deeping’s keenest and most regular player Ben Walden called in sick on Friday night, then Graham Barnes pulled a calf muscle in the pre-match warm-up reducing them to ten fit players.
Fortunately left back Mike Allam, on his first leave from the RAF, and supposed to be spectating only, changed into Barnes’ kit (including boots) and played the whole game up front.
Despite this Deeping started very brightly and created a number of openings with Allam nearly scoring a very rare goal for the club after five minutes. After ten minutes defender Phil Tokens scored his second goal of the season with a perfectly struck shot from the top of the D at a penalty corner.
For the remainder of the first half Deeping were on top without ever quite dominating. The St Neot's playmaker in the middle of the park was an ever-present danger with plenty of skills and tricks but they never really looked like scoring. The score at halftime was one-nil.
Early in the second half St Neot's were level. The St Neot's playmaker passed the ball accurately into the box and the centre forward took skilfully and slotted into the corner for practically his first contribution to the game.
Deeping’s heads did not drop as it was against the run of play - Adi White in goal only had three touches all game – and their lead was restored shortly after the equaliser with the flying winger Phil Arnold slotting the ball home following a cross from the left.
Deeping continued to press forward and it was no surprise when Arnold scored Deeping’s third with a well-struck shot into the corner of the goal from a rebound.
Deeping were pleased with the result and the team performance but deserved more goals. Graham Brewer was the Deeping man of the match, controlling the area in front of Phil Tokens and making regular runs forward - in the first half he nearly scored his first goal for the club when his flick was well saved by the St Neot's keeper.
Deeping still have to play the bottom three but this was an important three points which history suggests should ensure that Deeping stay in Div 4NW for next season 

Division 6NW

Market Deeping 3rd XI (1) vs City of Peterborough 6th XI (10)

A dreadful day at the office for second placed Deeping as they took on the champions elect with a slightly under strength team. They really didn’t play that badly but were ripped apart by a young strong Peterborough team on the top of their game. Simon Taylor got Deeping’s consolation goal (they really should have had three or four) and honourable mentions should go to Tom Richardson who had an excellent game out of position at right half and Anthony Barnes who after an early yellow card channelled his energy into harassing Peterborough’s playmakers in midfield. The old men in the team fought hard until the final whistle…