Saturday November 3rd 2007

CAMBS League Div 1

St Ives Ladies 3rd XI (0) vs Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (1)

Deeping went back to the top of Cambs Division One with this comfortable defeat of a stubborn St. Ives 3rd XI. Deeping look tight and well-drilled these days perhaps only lacking a plan B when their consistent passing play doesn’t produce goals. Although St Ives at times forced Deeping to attack on their left, Deeping were not to be deterred and some excellent play by Ellie Allam kept the ball in the St Ives half. Deeping won several short corners and scored when Sarah Smith forced the rebound from her own clever touch  into the back of the net.

Although St Ives were just occasionally able to get into the Deeping “D”, the away team’s defence calmly cleared the ball, never looking under pressure.  Catherine Flitton in the centre opened up the play for Deeping by placing some super hits into space for the forwards to pick up. 

The second half of the match saw Deeping continue with the pressure straight from the off when Amy Gwilliam took the ball from the half way line and put an excellent pass in which was only narrowly missed.  St Ives came back and were able to gain a short corner which keeper Laura Gwilliam easily cleared with her only touch of the match.

Again Deeping were able to put some strikes into the St Ives “D” particularly by Gemma Catlin, but were unable to put the ball in the net. A string of short corners ensued which were repelled by a novice St. Ives keeper of huge potential and some brave defending and although Becky Allam, Janet Eagle-Smith and player of the match Faye Logan battled, the goals would not happen.

Deeping continued to be patient in their play but the game highlighted the need to work on getting the all important goals. 

CAMBS LEAGUE Div 2

Ely Ladies 2nd XI (1) vs Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (5)

Although Deeping lie in sixth place in Cambridge Division two after their third win of the season they are now only three points behind the leaders. This didn’t look likely when an untidy start to the game saw them leave the goal open for Ely to score.
Deeping may have looked shell shocked but skipper Nicky Buckby quickly evened the score giving Market Deeping the confidence to push forward.
Debbie Wilding was highly effective, attacking from midfield and she added a second goal for Deeping.
They held their lead until halftime with some great defensive work by Leanne Fane and debutant goalkeeper Debbie Bowen. Erin Carmody (voted player of the match) made some silky smooth attacking runs from the left side of midfield, her pace leaving Ely standing. While she dominated from box to box down the wing, Ely could only look on. Anya McKenzie seemed to have to scored a third goal for Deeping, only for it to  be disallowed. Despite Deeping’s dominance it was 2-1 at the break.
Skipper Buckby followed up her team talk by setting her team the right example, getting Deeping’s third early in the second half.
The goal machine hadn’t struck yet, but then McKenzie made a driving run from the half way line, skinned two defenders and smashed the ball against the Ely post before following up to score. McKenzie’s pace is exceptional at this level and she set off on another solo run from midfield, and nutmegged the Ely keeper for 5-1 to Market Deeping.
 Deeping controlled the rest of the game, were on fire, the team played well keeping the ball while running down the clock.  

EAST 3NW

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

Deeping moved to the top of the NE14 hockey Div 3NW with this competent defeat of a useful Wisbech second team . Chris Mann missed out in the 22 goal fest that was last week’s game pinched a tidy and well taken hat-trick.
Following the huge win Deeping couldn't afford to be over confident. They’d seen Wisbech in action and knew it would a physical challenge – one they would meet without several key players.

Paul Tancred settled nerves when he scored early on with a nice reverse stick shot, quickly followed by Mann who chipped in with a tap in on the far post to make it 3-0. Given time to drive into the D, James Sharpe nearly chopped the keeper in half with his shot to make it three. Wisbech then claimed a hotly-disputed goal to give them hope

Immediately after half time Tancred put the matter beyond doubt with a simple but beautiful goal from a pin point cross from Sharpe.
With the atmosphere hotting up Sharpe got a yellow card for conversing with an umpire. With 10 men on the pitch Deeping forged on and Mann roofed his next chance and as Sharpe returned Mann completed his hat trick.
Skipper Richard Woods called it “the best performance this season” and praised Andy Kind who held the midfield together. The added bonus was news of the draw between Cambs Nomads 2nds and Ely 1st.

Div 4NW

Market Deeping 2nd XI (2 vs St Neots 2nd XI (1)

A battling performance from Deeping 2nd saw them defeat the league leaders, and they have the bruises to prove it.
Deeping started the better of the two sides and their strong start was rewarded when Arnold swept home from close range. In contrast to last week’s disappointing display, Deeping were playing some of their best hockey of the season, though they were indebted to ‘keeper Joe Wray when they retained their lead at half time. Always alert and quick off his line, Wray was outstanding throughout.
Chances came and went at both ends, with St Neots’ ‘keeper making a superb double save to deny both Gregson and Tokens, while at the other end Pete Hotchkin cleared off the line from a short corner destined for the roof of the net.
The second half started with Deeping threatening to double their tally, but the St Neots pressure gradually mounted. Deeping feared another comeback like the previous week.
Then they broke down the left and Arnold finished again.
St Neots threw everything at Deeping and short corner after short corner was repelled before a clever switch to the right and again wrong-footed the Deeping back four for an easy tap in.
But with Tokens and Paul Byrne impressive in central midfield and Mike Gregson providing the outlet that was so lacking last week, Deeping looked much more solid in seeing out the game. They’ll now look to reproduce their good form against the top league sides in their mid-table battles

EAST Div 5NW

Newmarket 1st XI (3) vs Market Deeping 3rd IX (1)

Deeping went to league leaders Newmarket with just 10 men, but battled manfully to restrict the halftime score to 3-1. Simon Taylor had scored from a short corner and Matt Brown and Anthony Barnes never stopped running throughout the game.
And there it stayed as the cavalry arrived in the shape of late call-up Steve Windsor scurrying from umpiring at St Ives. He had little effect but to distract Newmarket’s defenders but some dogged defending and incredible work-rate from the young midfielders held Newmarket up.
All this was backed by an outstanding second half goalkeeping performance by Adi White who made save after save. Deeping would have had to concede a 3-0 defeat if they hadn’t travelled and were deservedly proud to emerge a goal to the better.