Saturday December 6th, 2008

CAMBS Ladies Premier League

Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (0) vs Cambridge University Ladies 3rd XI (0)

Deeping’s ladies played out a grumpy, unexciting and unimportant Cambs Premier cup match in which only the Cambridge keeper was greatly troubled.
Deeping looked set to settle old scores rather than play too much hockey but even then they looked the more likely to score throughout the game, and their midfield was dominant. Amy Gwilliam hit the post for Deeping late on while Kirsten Hackett peppered the side netting…

CAMBS Ladies Div 2

Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (1) vs Bourne Ladies 3rd XI (1)

Full marks to a very young and skilful Bourne side who battled well to keep an under strength Deeping side at bay, and got their reward in this Cambs Div Two cup game when a well-worked short corner sneaked home late in the second half.
After a goal-less first half in which they wasted several good chances, Deeping took the lead early in the second half.
Poaching skipper Nicky Buckby may not want to be called the new Muddy Waters but her latest goal, superbly deflected home from a powerful cross, was a beauty and her 11th of the season. It can’t be long before the “goal machine” soubriquet graces her name.
Danny Cooper had her best game for Deeping so far while a limping Rachel Gale deserves a mention for her defensive efforts.
Deeping have won nine and lost only three going into the Christmas break.

CAMBS Mens Div 2 N

Sudbury 1st XI (4) vs Market Deeping 1st IX (3)

Deeping went into this game knowing that only a win would do to keep their promotion prospects alive.
They kept to their game plan and were 2-0 up by half time with two goals from Paul Tancred. Andy Cannings missed a flick but hit the post. 
After dictating the first half the tables were turned and it was Sudbury's turn. Deeping made fundamental mistakes at the back to let Sudbury in with four goals.
Paul Tancred fought back by completing his hat trick but the score remained 4-3 to Sudbury.
Special mention must go to Phil Arnold brought up from the second team. He had a great game and has thrown his cap into the ring to become a first team regular.
Despite a six point fine Deeping reach Christmas in what is hopefully a comfortable mid-table position in their first season in Div 2N

CAMBS Mens Div 4 NW

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

Chris Mann showed composure under pressure to earn Deeping a share of the spoils with a well taken goal with just two minutes remaining as first played second in East Division 4NW.
Deeping started brightly, and Henry Winfield-Chislett went close early on, but was unable to apply the coup de gras after some impressive stick skills.
St Ives soon found their attacking rhythm and veteran keeper Ray Isaacs had to use the full range of goalkeeping skills to keep them out. One St Ives move saw an incisive through ball wickedly redirected towards the roof of the net only to be thwarted by Isaacs’ face mask.
Both teams had chances to open the scoring, but a halftime score line of 0-0 was testament to dogged defending and a fair reflection of the ratio of chances.
The second half became a pressurised affair as both teams realised that the game was there for the taking and would be settled by an individual error, rather than a piece of brilliance, as both teams fought to cancel each other out.
The opening goal went deservedly to the home side; Deeping had repelled penalty corner after penalty corner, but there was always the feeling that it was only a matter of time before one found the back of the net. When it did it came via a well struck shot which clipped the inside of the post after a well worked switch move.
With just five minutes remaining, it looked like game over, but there was still time left for one more meaningful Deeping attack; Mann found himself with the ball in space to the right of the D, and crashed his shot home at the ‘keeper’s near post to make it 1-1, a fair result in a hard fought if not spectacular game.
Mann and Isaacs shared the man of the match honours. Unbeaten Deeping reach the break five points clear at the top of Div 4NW

CAMBS Mens Div 6 NW

Market Deeping 3rd XI (4) vs March 4th XI (1)

If anyone doubted the improved standard of NW6 this first versus second battle would be a showcase. Deeping won simply because of their greater invention and calmness in front of goal. It was a performance that they could be extremely proud of, as several of their regular stars were gracing the second team at St Ives.
After a brief March flurry Deeping quickly took command of the game, scoring the opener through Steve Waters after good work by Alex Gale. The dangerous Ben Walden was causing the March defence endless problems, and Mark Kendal, back to his imperious form of his last appearances several years ago constantly supplied high potential crosses.
Deeping conceded a soft goal from the only really dangerous March attack of the half. March’s build up play was excellent but they lacked a cutting edge in the last 25.
Then Walden retook the lead poking home another close range effort following a scrappy Deeping short corner.
The second half saw Deeping extend the lead early on as Kevin Baker walked the ball slowly into the net.
Deeping were now looking away from the sun, a huge advantage, but March pressure began to increase. Matt Brown would probably not choose to play right back through choice but is proving an outstanding and hard-working wing back while Mike Allam in his first game of the season had lost none of his sharpness. Deeping’s only defensive failing was giving March the ball back too easily at free-hits.
They were keeping their heads and winning the mental game too as March pressure peaked and Deeping’s other veteran keeper Steve Windsor was called into regular action and somehow managed to twitch his blocker fast enough to turn a goal-bound deflected cross-cum-shot over the bar. This seemed to convince March that it wasn’t going to be their day, and when Deeping broke fast and cleverly, Kendal flicked home at the near post after driving into the D down the right wing.
Tom Allam then made a great run, picked up a pass, beat the keeper, but slipped as he was set to score from a difficult angle.
Deeping reach Christmas unbeaten and top the league by a point with a game in hand.