Saturday February 21st, 2009

CAMBS Ladies Premier League

St Ives Ladies 2nd XI (1) vs Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (0)

After two weeks off due to a fixture gap and the weather, Deeping ladies came out with drive and determination to prove the break had not ruined their form.
An early Deeping attack saw Kirsten Hackett and Amy Gwilliam wall-passing their way up the pitch before slipping the ball across the goal where the chance was narrowly missed by Janet Eagle Smith playing her first game back from long-term injury.
The ball was switched quickly from one end of the pitch to the other but Deeping’s defence yet again looked strong with Rachel Gale stubbing out the opposition attacks with ease.
Ellie Allam took quick hit outs to sister Becky up the left wing and one of these led to another Deeping attack but the St Ives goalie saved from Sarah Smith after she picked up the ball from Eagle-Smith.
After dominating the goal-less first half Deeping went into the second half confident of scoring but heads went down when St Ives best player lobbed the ball at the goal and it went into the right top corner.
Deeping’s formation fell apart and spirits along with their fitness levels seemed to drop significantly. The honourable exception was Deeping’s golden girl and player of the match Gemma Catlin whose display of quality hockey throughout kept the goal margin from being any larger.

CAMBS Ladies Div 2

Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (0) vs Ely Ladies 3rd XI (4)

Ten-player Deeping could have been four nil up in the opening ten minutes of this game but for some inspired goal-keeping by the Ely stopper. Games turn on such things and after Ely scored twice in succession about 15 minutes into the game, Deeping had shot their bolt.
Ely’s powerful finishing was part of the difference between the two teams, as was the experience of their stately back four against Deeping’s fast but naïve forwards.
In fact a lot of Deeping’s problems came from disorganisation and inexperience and even the wise and incredibly hard-working senior players like Kat Kennedy couldn’t make a difference. They did manage to keep Ely out in the second half but never looked like scoring, let alone making up a four goal deficit.
Deeping would be delighted to welcome some new female players, even at this late stage of the year, provided they haven’t played for other clubs this season.

CAMBS Mens Div 2 N

Sudbury 2nd XI (2) vs Market Deeping 1st IX (5)

Mid table Deeping had a simple plan that should have seen them safely locked into Div 2N for another season – they would beat all the four bottom teams in one four week spell.
The weather has prevented this and they’ve only been able to see off two of them, basement Sudbury 2nd being one, in this welcome return to action.
After the enforced break Deeping didn't know how the day would pan out. They needn’t have worried as they peppered the Sudbury goal from the off. James Sharpe started the ball rolling with a lovely deflection into the top corner before Russ Seton grabbed a goal from a short corner. Not wanting to be outshone by Dad, son Jack Seton knocked the ball home for his first 1st XI goal of the season.
The second half was much like the first half with Deeping controlling the game. Sharpe and Seton Sr. got another goal each, but Sudbury got two rather soft goals from Deeping errors.
Deeping need to tighten up and listen and play to the game plan. They’ll look forward to a home game with mid-table rivals Saffron Walden this week after a 2-2 draw before Christmas.

CAMBS Mens Div 4 NW

Market Deeping 2nd XI (3) vs St Neots 2nd XI (1)

Two goals from Simon Burnell gave Deeping the edge in this top three clash at St Neots.
Deeping ditched their usual 4-4-2 for a more adventurous 3-4-3 formation in an attempt to take the game to their promotion rivals.
Saints opened the scoring with a penalty flick midway through a first half which had until that point produced few goal scoring opportunities. A St Neots short corner hit a defender on the line, and although the flick was scuffed tamely, ‘keeper Joe Wray acrobatically flung himself the wrong way.
Deeping seem to be making a bit of a habit of coming from behind; and two quick goals early on in the second half had Saints suddenly on the back foot; Burnell grabbed his first from close range before Alex Gale gave Deeping the lead with a well placed short corner, that trickled into the corner with unerring accuracy.
Saints had their chances to get back on terms as Deeping conspired to give away possession, including a string of short corners. Deeping’s back three of Biggs, Brewer, and Maxey held firm, and when the defence was breached, Saints found goalkeeper Wray in outstanding form, denying the Neots strikers with a succession of flying stick saves.
Burnell gave Deeping a two-goal cushion with his second of the game which should have seen Deeping in cruise control for the remaining period. Saints responded with a wave of pressure which Deeping struggled at times to repel, and as tiredness and injuries to their bare 11 squad started to mount, the final whistle was met with celebration and relief in equal measures.
Man of the match Burnell was praised for his fantastic work rate and goals to top it off with honourable mentions to Simon Biggs who took control at the back and was excellent in his distribution and keeper Wray

CAMBS Mens Div 6 NW

Market Deeping 3rd XI (3) vs Ely 3rd XI (1)

Deeping’s squad had an unusual look to it, due to the typical “half-term” unavailabilities and the rare inclusion of first team goal machine Paul Tancred. As he was unable to make either of the away fixtures due to family commitments, the veteran Tancred’s inclusion was sanctioned by the league.
So the second team took the bare 11 to St Neot’s while the thirds welcomed two players more often seen at higher levels.
This didn’t greatly improve Deeping’s poor recent form, but Tancred inevitably made an impact. In a close first half, Ely’s experienced defence soaked up the pressure while their keeper made save after save. Ely took the lead despite another good performance from Joe Wray in the Deeping goal, but Deeping’s incessant pressure, once again led by the example of the tireless skipper Kevin Baker in midfield, saw Tancred whip the rebound from his own shot into the net just 30 seconds before the half-time whistle.
He added an almost identical strike at the other end after Deeping started the second half with more fire and enthusiasm and piled the pressure on Ely. The late arriving (as usual) Matt Brown added his pace to the game and proved a great foil for Tancred but it was a visionary pass from Dave Grammer that found winger Mark Kendal free to get around the back and set up Tancred.
As Ely chased the game another break by Brown saw yet more saves by the outstanding Ely keeper but the ball ran free to the hard-working Graham Barnes as he arrived at the top of the D and he carefully slid it home.
Ely then enjoyed a dominant period to the end of the match but the short corners they won would not find the net.