Saturday January 31st, 2009

CAMBS Ladies Premier League

Huntingdon Ladies 1st XI (1) vs Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (2)

This was one of Deeping’s must-win fixtures and they will have been delighted with this narrow but deserved victory at Huntingdon. Deeping attacked from the start but failed to capitalise on their chances.
So it was against the run of play that Huntingdon managed to steal a goal midway through the first half from a disputed short corner.
Deeping appeared to lose their shape and their impetus but the second half saw a more determined Deeping and once again they pushed forward with Amy Gwillam and Robyn Scott challenging for loose balls and making some excellent passes.
Deepings forwards Sarah Smith and Kirsten Hackett pressured the Huntingdon defence into conceding several short corners, as a result Gemma Catlin cracked an excellent shot into the left hand corner of the Huntingdon goal midway through the second half.

CAMBS Ladies Div 2

Newmarket Ladies 2nd XI (4) vs Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (0)

Deeping struggled to get a full-strength side out for the long trek to Newmarket but they still stay second after this disappointing defeat. Deeping were only six points above third placed Newmarket so this was an important game for both teams.
Unfortunately a strong Newmarket side came out fast and scored twice in the first half. Deeping were unable to reply - Sophie Goodrum, Charlotte Baxter and Captain Nicky Buckby all went close.  
Player of the match Fay Shepard rallied the defence but two more second half goals finished off Deeping despite the best efforts of keeper Alison Swift. Deeping’s young midfield, Ann Carter, Danielle Cooper and Laura Tompson-Wright kept trying to push forward, and Deeping battled right up to the end, but were unable to score.

CAMBS Mens Div 2 N

Market Deeping 1st IX (3) vs Norwich Dragons 1st XI (1)

When Treev Wagstaffe winds up for one of his reverse stick efforts, players in the know scatter in all directions, and that’s just on the nearby rugby pitch.
But his perfect strike this week broke the deadlock and saw Deeping tick off one of their must-win games against the lower sides in Div 2N.
The first half of a very watchable game was close, mainly because Deeping didn’t take two well-worked cut-glass chances. James Sharp was the biggest culprit having rounded the keeper and missed the open net.
At the back, some decent keeping from Stu Ireland kept Norwich at bay on their rare attacks.
At half time it seemed that there could only be one winner but Deeping had to score first. Wagstaffe drifting up from right back picked up a pass on the top of the D, cleverly made space, and reverse-sticked into the bottom corner for a superb opener.
Deeping are blooding their best youngsters in this league but it was the oldest player on the pitch Russ Seton who broke clear on the right and set son Jack free in the D. Unselfishly he heeded Phil Arnold’s call and slipped him the ball and Arnold slapped home leaving the two teenagers high-fiving on the penalty spot.
Brilliant advantage umpiring then let Norwich pull a soft goal back.
Seton senior had the last word. Powering his vast frame into the D through the Norwich defence he was tripped but courageously jabbed the ball as he fell full length. It took a deflection to fly high over the keeper into the net.
Deeping play all the basement sides in succession in the coming weeks and are targeting a vital string of victories.

CAMBS Mens Div 4 NW

Market Deeping 2nd XI (3) vs Ely 2nd XI (2)

Deeping and Ely played out one of the games of the season back in October, as Ely missed a last minute penalty stroke at 3-3, only for Deeping to snatch it in the dying seconds.
The rematch was eagerly anticipated by both sides, and it was Deeping who started the strongest, playing the game in the Ely half without forcing the ‘keeper into action.
Dan Medd, Neil Burford, and Ali Rowledge were a constant threat down the right for Deeping, but Ely always looked good on the break, and when Deeping fell asleep at the back, a quick break saw Ely take the lead.
Last season Deeping felt that the lack of a goal scoring midfielder was one reason their promotion challenge faltered. Chris Mann is making a difference, scoring his third goal in three games. He smashed home his breakaway shot after being set loose by the impressive Rowledge as Deeping quickly levelled.
Deeping began to build the pressure again, but Ely retook the lead from a short corner then piled on the pressure and Deeping were lucky to make it to half time one down. Keeper Joe Wray did just enough to thwart a 1-on-1 attempt in the dying seconds of the half.
The second half saw Ely with much more of the ball, but they failed to worry the ‘keeper, and when Rowledge equalised around the hour mark, a draw would probably have been a fair result. Deeping though, piled on the pressure in a frantic last few minutes, and Burford found himself alone at the far post and made no mistake from a yard out with less than two minutes to play.
Deeping’s man of the match was Ali Rowledge who was always looking to make himself available with his fantastic work rate

CAMBS Mens Div 6 NW

City of Peterborough 7th XI (7) vs Market Deeping 3rd XI (1)

Understrength Deeping continued their recent run of poor performances as they lost their unbeaten 6NW record conclusively to a young and strong Peterborough side. Deeping had to field mainly veterans this week and pace, fitness and sadly, grumpiness were all major factors.
Deeping began well enough and could have taken the lead, but Peterborough’s young keeper was equal to most challenges through the game.
Deeping then repulsed Peterborough’s early attacks but too many chances were being made. There was an element of goalkeeper error on the first goal but the two more before half time came from an unstoppable shot from an unmarked player and a one on one with the keeper.
Goals came steadily through the second half – it was one of those days when every rebound from the pads seemed to go to an attacker’s stick – and it was only towards the end of the game when Peterborough relaxed a little that Deeping got back in the game. After a couple of near misses, the hard-working Paul Byrne scored what wasn’t even a consolation goal.