Saturday 23rd January 2010

CAMBRIDGE Ladies Premier League

Market Deeping Ladies 1st XI (3) vs Newmarket Ladies 1st XI (2)

Newmarket took the push back and the early initiative. Deeping's defence had to work hard in the opening five minutes but held firm.
Deeping then hit Newmarket on the break with some good quick passing which resulted in Deeping winning a short corner.The initial strike was going to the left of the goal but the short corner taker Amy Gwilliam prevented the ball going out, rounded the defender and scored in the far corner.
Deeping began to grow in confidence and the second goal quickly followed. Gemma Catlin found Janet Eagle-Smith in the D, who despite being surrounded by Newmarket defenders managed to turn the ball into the goal.
Sarah Smith, making her return after a long injury lay off created Deeping's third with a good run down the left hand side and a pass inside for Laura Thompson-Wright. She turned calmly and fired the ball past the Newmarket keeper.
Thompson-Wright had the ball in the net twice more in the opening half in an impressive man of the match performance but both goals were ruled out by the umpire and it remained three nil at half time.
Newmarket reorganised in the second half and came back into the game strongly. Deeping were unable to create the chances they had and Newmarket scored with a great individual goal. The Newmarket player chipped the ball from a narrow angle over the Deeping defence and stranded goal keeper into the far corner.
Newmarket's second goal followed shortly after from a short corner. The lifted shot went past the onrushing defender and high into the net. Deeping protested but to no avail as the umpire ruled the shot had been drag flicked. Newmarket pushed hard for an equaliser but Deeping played defensively for the last 10 minutes and held on for the win.

CAMBRIDGE Ladies League Division 1

Cambridge Nomads Ladies 2nd XI (3) vs Market Deeping Ladies 2nd XI (1)

DIVISION 2N

Felixstowe 1st XI (4) vs Market Deeping 1st XI (1)

Skipper Richard Woods was proud of his team’s performance at unbeaten Felixstowe who have been stacking up the goals at home. Ali Rowledge got Deeping’s goal.

DIVISION 3NW

Market Deeping 2nd XI (1) vs City of Peterborough 5th XI (0)

This close local derby may not have been a glowing advert for free flowing hockey, but it was certainly an enthralling and hard-fought battle, between two promoted teams fighting for their lives at the foot of the table. Deeping were first to make the opposition keeper work and almost took the lead with some good early pressure.
A rare foray into the opposition D from centre back Brewer brought Deeping the first short corner of the game as he was scythed down from behind, but Deeping failed to capitalise, and though Simon Burnell did make the side netting ripple, Deeping could not convert these early chances.
If it was the home side who had started the strongest, it was Peterborough who finished the half on top, a couple of short corner chances whistling just inches wide, one particular reverse stick effort grazing the far post as the Deeping defence looked on with hearts in mouths.
Half time will have seen both sides feeling positive and scenting a possible rare victory, and it was Peterborough who started strongest, capitalising on some sloppy individual errors in the first five minutes.
But as Deeping recovered, the game became very much end to end stuff. Both sides had chances to take the lead before Chris Mann's close range finish gave Deeping the advantage. Peterborough pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but a hard working midfield, marshalled by Deeping man of the match Andy Brassington held firm, and when they did break through, a back four which has conceded over 60 goals this season suddenly decided enough was enough, Phil Tokens epitomising the 'bodies in the way' spirit, taking a wicked drag flick on the forearm, forcing him out of the game. With Simon Wilmot's aerial threat and booming clearances to clear Deeping lines, Deeping clung onto their one goal lead to take a valuable three points to give them at least a fighting chance of survival.

DIVISION 5NW

Market Deeping 3rd XI (1) vs St Ives 3rd XI (2)

Second bottom played second top and with Deeping able to field one of their strongest sides of the season, there wasn’t a great deal to choose between the teams. Indeed, a fiery Deeping start saw Ben Walden give them the lead in the first few minutes.
St Ives powered back, and it was end to end stuff, until, just about justifying their slight upper hand, St Ives equalised.
Both teams had further chances to go ahead, and while St Ives retained slightly more of the play and made more chances, Deeping were only denied by two fine stick stops on the line.
Then disaster as Deeping’s keeper kicked into his own player and as the umpire played an excellent advantage, St Ives swept into and open net.
Deeping squandered two very good chances to equalize but St Ives deserved their win –just. Deeping will face the rest of the season with more confidence if they can put out this quality side more often.