Saturday April 5th, 2008

EAST 3NW

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

With nearly half a team of regulars unavailable Champions Deeping went to Cambridge with a very different looking team from usual and the varied mix of experience within the team promised to make the match very interesting. Deeping started out very well, playing some very nice hockey.
The first half saw most of the play going down the right with Jason Purllant and Ali Rowledge working well together.
With the score at 0-0 Deeping needed to break the stalemate and ease the nerves so they brought on Phil Arnold to try and mix it up. Just after the change Deeping went on yet another attack sending the ball from right to left (round the back for once) and Arnold completely miss-hit the ball, tricking the keeper and sending it just over the line. Just before half time Nomads came back to score after some very poor marking at the back.
In the second half Nomads scored from a short corner but Deeping always looked like they would reply, but it never came. It must be the end of the season – at the death Andy Kind had to be subbed as one of his shoes fell apart. 
On the whole it was a pretty good performance from a cobbled together team. The annoyance was that the game was there for that taking and Deeping just couldn't create enough clear cut chances.
So now Deeping go to Div 2N as champions but skipper Richard Woods feels they must bring in new players and change the team’s style of play if they are to stay in that division.

Div 4NW

Market Deeping 2nd XI (1) vs City of Peterborough 5th XI (4)

A solitary Mike Gregson strike was the only consolation as Deeping rounded off the season.
After the opening exchanges were fairly even Deeping passes started to go astray, and those that did find their intended target refused to stick.
Deeping were slow in closing down a Peterborough short corner and went one down.
Deeping’s own short corner routine was looking less than threatening, and they failed to get a shot away on their first three attempts. Peterborough were crisper, quicker, and should have had the game won by halftime it was 2-0.
The second half saw Deeping play ten minutes of the hockey they can play, passes began to find maroon shirts once more, and they began to fashion chances. When one of those chances fell to Gregson, his clean strike found the bottom corner.
Deeping pushed forward for an equaliser leaving space for Peterborough, and they added two goals.
As the season ends, Deeping can be proud of to their young players who comfortably made the step up to division 4NW. Jack Seton finished as the second’s leading goal scorer despite a lengthy lay off with a broken finger; while Tom Richardson has been an ever present in the Deeping back line since his call up in September and his composure on the ball and commitment in the tackle has made him one of the first names on the team sheet.

EAST Div 5NW

Market Deeping 3rd XI

On a final downbeat note, Deeping’s third team were relegated from Div 5NW without playing after their game was postponed - and St Ives 4th thrashed Bourne. They achieved a solid points total which would have been enough in some years but must now look to rebuild quickly.
Deeping will be resuming pre-season training in early June and as always are looking for new players for both men's and lady's teams, catering for all abilities. For more information contact Jason Purllant on 07900958726 or check: www.mdhc.org.uk for details.