CAMBS LEAGUE DIV ONE

Sawtry Ladies 1st XI (1) vs Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (0)

Market Deeping Ladies took a tumble into fourth place in Cambs League Div 1 this week following an extremely unlucky loss to Sawtry. 
The first half of the match was very even, play was scrappy and it seemed Deeping’s heads were still down from the previous week’s defeat.  There were breaks from both teams and a few missed shots in both directions until Sawtry finally won a string of short corners.  Deeping’s defence came out fast and blocked the shots but then a slip right and an unseen foot gave Sawtry the eagerly awaited first goal.
Deeping were shocked to be losing as it seemed they were easily the better team. They pushed back immediately, running fast at the Sawtry defence.  With the keeper pulled out of position George Hurford swept the ball at goal for what was almost certain to be a quick equaliser. However Deeping were yet again out of luck as a Sawtry defender stopped the shot on the line with her feet and incredibly only a short was awarded.
After half time Deeping fixed all their mistakes and played solid, skilful hockey.  They started to work as a team again and the old magic looked to be back.  The only thing this close-knit team couldn’t do was get the ball in the net. 
Sawtry never seemed a threat again but as Deeping couldn’t convert their dominance into goals the points went to the opposition.

CAMBS LEAGUE DIV TWO

Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI vs Peterborough Town Ladies 4th XI

It was worse for the 2nd XI who went to their “home” venue at Stamford Boy’s school only to find it double-booked. Match rearranged for March 17th.

Division 3NW

Market Deeping 1st XI (4) vs Spalding 2nd XI (1)

The men had on odd weekend, even though they were unbeaten. The firsts began with a competent performance by an understrength first team. Bottom placed Spalding were, to their credit, desperate to play good hockey, but Deeping quickly opened the scoring with an amazing solo effort by Ali Rowledge who took an over the top lofted pass from Simon Wilmot and beat two defenders to score.
Even on one leg and with a cut hand the finishing skills of Paul Tancred were too much for Spalding and he added two more before half time and had another inexplicably disallowed when it burst the net. Rowledge clattered the post when faced with an open goal and a string of short corners failed to produce a goal.
Richard Woods at right back and Chris Mann and Nick Maxey in midfield all excelled.
Tancred added a fourth in a more subdued second half.

Division 4NW

St. Ives 2nd XI (2) vs Market Deeping 2nd XI (2)

Deeping started the game with an unusual very defensive formation of 4-1-4-1. The plan was to contain St Ives in the early stages and to be more positive later in the game.
Perhaps not surprisingly the formation encouraged St Ives to push forward and the early part of the game was played mainly in the Deeping half. It was no surprise when St Ives took the lead after about 15 minutes.
Deeping heads did not fall and they took the game to St Ives. There was lots of commitment from throughout the team and some tireless running from the front men. Deeping began to pass with more confidence and with about five minutes to go in the first half they equalised when Mike Gregson played a neat one-two with Simon Burnell and lifted his shot over the onrushing goalkeeper.
The second half started much as the first half ended. The game was very even but Deeping’s better teamwork and commitment and a switch back to the more usual 4-4-2, lead to another goal. Mike Gregson’s mishit shot bounced past the St Ives goalkeeper.
From then on St Ives pushed forward at every opportunity.  The Deeping defence and Adi White in goal withstood everything that was thrown at them until the very last touch of the game. St Ives secured a penalty corner, from which the deflected shot hit a Deeping foot. The second penalty corner was smashed into the goal to give St Ives the draw.
Overall Deeping were pleased with the performance but need to turn these good days into points to avoid being dragged into a relegation fight.

Division 6NW

Spalding 4th XI (2) vs Market Deeping 3rd XI (2)

Deeping’s 3rd XI who are lying in second place in 6NW were expected to crush second from bottom Spalding 4th as they fielded their strongest squad of the season.
But they were given in a lesson in determination and met with a goalkeeper who was more than equal to the dozens of shots they rained in on him. Deeping must have ten times more shots on goal than Spalding but the grit and fitness shown by Spalding earned them a surprise point.
After missing a penalty Deeping were 1-0 down at half time and were slightly lucky in the end to come away with a 2-2 draw. Russ Seaton got both goals.