Sunday November 25th 2007

Ladies Vase Round 3

UCL Academicals Ladies XI (5) vs Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (1)

Deeping travelled to Thames Ditton, Surrey for their first actual match after two byes in the nationwide Knockout Vase competition, to play UCL Academicals.  Deeping started well with Amy Gwilliam scoring the first goal of the match within five minutes.  Sadly UCL quickly came back to equalise causing Deeping to move players around on the right hand side. 
Deeping Ladies did not know what to expect from the Surrey team and soon found they were playing a team at a standard some leagues above their normal level, as a string of defensive short corners and long corners ensued. Deeping had to defend more than they have had to, but the defence proved solid. 
Eventually one UCL short corner found its mark, despite some excellent keeping by player of the match Emma Sear who had not previously played for the first team.
The end of the first half saw Deeping 4 -1 down, and with a slight change in the line up, they continued to attack, Janet Eagle-Smith shooting just wide. Sisters, Ellie and Becky Allam troubled UCL with some great passing on the left and continually got the ball into the opposition’s “D”. The home team were unable to create quite as many corners in the second half and play moved around the whole pitch, particularly helped by the patient Gemma Catlin on the right.
Deeping proved to be much stronger in the second half, and this was helped by great teamwork by the forwards who came back to defend and UCL were only able to add one goal. Beth Askham showed her growing skill by calmly clearing the ball to her own team on 16 yard hit outs.
The experience of their first outing in the Vase has shown up Deeping’s team spirit. They kept their heads up and enjoyed the tough challenge. Special thanks to go to the umpires who contributed greatly to the friendly and fair atmosphere.

Saturday November 24th 2007

CAMBS League Cup

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

With two 1st XI games this weekend Deeping mixed up their line up for this relatively unimportant “filler” match, but the change did not prove to be a problem with Kirsten Hackett scoring from the top of the “D” give them the lead. It didn’t take too long for the Deeping team to settle into the game and player of the match Jo Addison proved her worth by creating many great runs and hits into space, despite playing out of her normal position.
Deeping were caught on the break however and St Ives took advantage by scoring.  They battled back and an Ellie Allam effort went wide by a matter of inches.
Deeping started the second half well with Debbie Wilding and Nicky Buckby creating some space for Anya McKenzie. Only solid goalkeeping kept Deeping from taking the lead. 
Although unable to put another goal past St Ives, Deeping retained the majority of possession in the opposition half, and defended the St Ives hit outs well. St Ives were only able to create a couple of chances which were well defended with some great man marking by Emily Reeson. The score at full time remained 1 -1 a great all round performance by a team playing without their normal line-up.

EAST 3NW

Market Deeping 1st XI (3) vs Ely City 1st XI (0)

First played second, in Deeping's biggest game of the season in the NE14 East NW3 league. The start was delayed half an hour as the hard frosty surface was not to Ely’s liking, but eventually the game was played without incident in the marginal conditions.
When play did get underway it was quickly clear that the Deeping goal-fest wasn’t going to continue this week. It was very close from the start with Deeping having slightly the upper hand and getting the best out of Ely’s keeper as they made the greater number of  chances. A well organised Ely defence held Deeping at bay and eventually Pete Jeffery opened the scoring from close range after a return pass at a short corner.
Early in the second half Paul Tancred added a second and Deeping looked more relaxed and started to play with more confidence.
Ely strained hard but started to make mistakes which played into Deeping's hands. When they did attack, they were easily taken care of by the Deeping defence.
With 10 mins to go when Deeping arguably should have been playing the game out and retaining the ball, they continued to attack and Pete Jeffery scored his fifth goal of the season after several years of drought. When the full time whistle went the relief was huge as unbeaten Deeping found themselves five points clear at the top of the league. They still can't let their guard down, with two tough games before the Christmas break.  

Div 4NW

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

Mysteriously Deeping arrived at Ely with only ten men. Despite the ict windy chill, the pitch was in far better shape than at Deeping and the seconds were fired up. Deciding that attack was the best form of defence, Deeping surged forward from the off and caused Ely problems early on. With the scores still level, skipper Brewer missed a golden chance to open the scoring after good work by Phil Arnold and Ali Rowledge.
Ely had the ball in the Deeping net soon after from a sweeping attack and clever finish, and though Mike Gregson, Rowledge, and Arnold all went close at the other end, Deeping’s attacking policy was leaving them exposed at the back especially to Ely’s pacey right winger. A well taken second was neatly reverse sticked home before a short corner from Ely made it three.
By now Deeping had 11 on the pitch and the second half saw their work rate and commitment do them proud as Ely were pinned in their own half for long periods. Dan Medd and Simon Burnell were full of running and refused to let Ely settle, and the constant pressure soon led to a Deeping goal, from the rebound at a short corner. Medd almost grabbed a second as his audacious reverse stick sweep whipped just past the far post with the keeper static. Then a string of short corners led to a drag flick which ran up a defender’s arm on the line, and ‘keeper Hotchkins could do nothing about the resulting penalty flick.
Deeping’s attitude was excellent and they continued to press, but as they chased the game left space at the back and where caught by a well-taken breakaway goal with the last touch of the game.

EAST Div 5NW

Market Deeping 3rd IX (2) vs March Town 3rd XI (5)

March made it six wins on the trout with victory over Market Deeping 3rd XI. In a good opening spell, the visitors went ahead after just 10 minutes. Market Deeping then put the March defence under pressure for a while, but a breakaway led to a penalty corner which was converted. The remainder of the half saw pressure from both sides, but both defences were well on top of their game. Just before half time, March scored again.
The opening minutes of the second half saw Tommo Allam score from close range, but March quickly replied.
Deeping then made it 4-2 as Magnus Windsor scored from the top of the D. Sadly Deeping now began to tire and March dominated, scoring one more goal to make victory certain. Deeping need to stop giving the ball away too cheaply.