Deeping Rangers Reserves 5-3 Cottesmore

17^th April 2012

Ancaster Cup Quarter Final

Deeping progressed to the semis of the Ancaster Cup with an 8 goal thriller at Outgang Road. The game was a topsy turvy affair that had Rangers winning at one stage, losing at another but finishing strongly, securing their place in the last four of the competition.

Rangers started quickly and could have gone in front as early as the third minute when Sam Thompson lashed wide when well placed. They didn’t have long to wait however as two minutes later a great spin away from his marker allowed Ian Bradbury to play in Danny Ireland who continued his rich scoring form by rounding the keeper and slotting home if fifth goal in four matches.

Deeping were rampant, so it was a surprise when they were pegged back on 9 minutes with Cottesmores first shot of the game. A hopeful long ball was contested in the air on the edge of the box by Chris Mavros and his marker, with the ball dropping kindly to the striker who lobbed keeper Jamie Lowndes with a quick thinking effort.

Rangers were not deterred by the set back and piled on the pressure with a host of chances going begging. On 15 minutes Matt Farrington slipped in Liam Buttery whose shot was well blocked, the rebound falling to Ireland who crafted a curling left foot shot that was well saved by the keeper.

It was Ireland again on 17 minutes who drove at the Cottesmore defence, riding three tackles before unleashing a shot that was well dealt with by the keeper. From the resulting corner an Anthony Graves corner was met by Thompson at the near post, but his header was tipped over the bar.

Thompson was looking lively in his sixth consecutive start, operating on the right side of a front three and it was another clever pass from Farrington that allowed the youngster to smash in his second of the season on 19 minutes, the power too much for the overworked keeper.

After the sustained pressure and going back in front Deeping took their foot off the gas and they were nearly made to pay on 28 minutes when Lowndes was needed to make a save at close range with his feet, with the forward skewing the rebound wide with an open goal at his mercy.

The game was swinging back in Cottesmores favour as Deeping began to pump the ball long instead of keeping to their short passing game which had served them so well earlier on in the match and on the stroke of half time Andy Stewart made a rash tackle in the box, leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty that was gratefully dispatched for 2-2 at the break.

Rangers started the second period brightly with Thompson again going close, before crossing to Bradbury who hit a half volley just wide within the opening two minutes, but as in the first half Cottesmore scored with their first attack on 48 minutes. Chris Armitage was rolled by his forward and after looking up he delightfully lobbed Lowndes again from 30 yards.

Deeping Manager Andy Bailey must have wondered how his side could be behind in a game they had created so many opportunities in and it was Thompson again who could have levelled things up a few minutes later but he opted for power over placement and dragged his shot wide of the post after Farrington again unlocked the defence.

On 52 minutes things could have got worse for Deeping as Lowndes charged from his goal and miss-controlled a through ball, but the surprised forward could only drill his shot from distance wide of the empty goal. Lowndes made amends for his uncharacteristic error by pulling off a great save just minutes later from point blank range.

Rangers appeared to be on the ropes but it was a stroke of luck that got them back into the game when a measured pass over the Cottesmore back line was not dealt with by keeper and defender and Thompson was on cue to chip the keeper for his second of the game on 60 minutes.

Deeping were now back in the ascendancy, stroking the ball round with confidence and on 72 minutes they got themselves back in front when a corner was only cleared to the edge of the box and substitute Calum Parker thundered a low drive goalwards that was well saved, but Matty Simpson was on hand to slide home from a few yards.

Cottesmore had their heads down and after Farrington had drilled just wide of the post after the restart a great move down the right side allowed Graves to cross for Simpsons centre half partner Armitage to power a header in at the near post to complete the scoring for the evening on 75 minutes.

Bailey was a happy man at the final whistle saying ‘The game was a great advert for the Ancaster Cup which has come under a bit of criticism the last few seasons. Some of the attacking play and goals scored were excellent although the defending left a bit to be desired at times! On another night we could have scored 10 and we would have been sick if we had not gone through. Sam Thompson was excellent tonight – I know some will say that he missed a lot of chances, but he has scored twice and got in the right positions on so many occasions. He is a young lad that is still learning the senior game and he was a big plus for us tonight.’

Man of The Match: Sam Thompson – Will never have a better chance to score a hat-trick but caused his opponents problems all night.

Line Up: Lowndes, Stewart, Mavros, Simpson, Armitage, Ireland, Thompson, Graves©, Bradbury, Farrington, Buttery

Subs Used: Parker, Leisner, Vanner

Subs not used: Gasson, Bailey

Goals: Ireland (5), Thompson (19,60), Simpson (72), Armitage (75)

Bookings: Armitage

Deeping Rangers Reserves 3-0 Coates Athletic

14^th April 2012

Peterborough Premier League

Deeping produced a fine display to take another three points from top six contenders in this sweet victory, scoring three goals in a game for the sixth match in succession.

This game will never be remembered as a classic but Rangers can take heart in beating a strong side very comfortably while keeping a clean sheet with the leagues leading marksman on the pitch in the form of Mark Newton.

The first half was one of limited chances but Deeping had the first opportunity when Liam Buttery, making a start after some strong performances from the bench, won the ball and played the ball to Matt Farrington who hit his shot high and wide from the edge of the box.

The early exchanges were tentative with the game taking on a ‘end of season’ feel, but it always looked like Rangers would be the more likely to open the scoring and on the half hour a great move down the right allowed Farrington to sweep the ball out to a rampaging Andy Stewart down the wing whose cross to Sam Thompson was met by the youngsters head but flashed just wide.

Farrington was seeing more and more of the ball and it was a slide rule pass into Thompson that allowed the pacey frontman to get his shot off, which was tipped just wide by Fletcher in the Coates goal. From the resulting corner a clip from Anthony Graves was met by a towering header from Chris Armitage which was blocked on the line but poacher Ian Bradbury was on hand to fire home his fourteenth goal of the season.

Coates were looking quite one dimensional with an over reliance on the long ball through to Newton who was superbly marshalled on the day by Armitage in the clash of the ‘big men.’

On resumption of the second half Rangers took the game to their opponents and could have had it sewn up within a minute but a driving run and cross at the by-line from Danny Ireland was lashed over the bar from close range by skipper Anthony Graves.

On 54 minutes it was left to the now prolific Ireland to net his customary goal per game as a great run by left back Chris Mavros into the box gave him the space to square to Ireland who slotted home with ease.

Deeping were cruising and Coates looked short of ideas going forward. Just as the game looked as if it would see no more goals it was a mix up at the back that allowed Farrington to pinch the ball and after rounding the keeper from a tight angle he unselfishly squared the ball for Graves to cap his lung busting run into the box with a routine finish from a few yards.

Deeping manager Andy Bailey was delighted with the result saying ‘I told the lads before we started that the team who wants it more at this stage of the season would win the points and anyone who was watching today would see that we were definitely the hungrier side. We are showing championship winning form at the moment having taken 16 out of 18 points so it shows what we are capable of when we put our minds to it. I’ve said all season that to be at the top at the end of the campaign you need to be consistent throughout and unfortunately our mid-season form is what has cost us this year but the future does look promising.’

When asked for his top performers on the day Bailey singled out two for special attention commenting ‘It was a great team performance but Danny Ireland and Chris Armitage were exceptional today. Danny has been excellent for the last month now and has started adding goals to his game which is a massive bonus from midfield and we spoke to Armo before the game about the threat that Newton poses for Coates and he dealt with him very efficiently and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet himself.’

Man of The Match: Danny Ireland – For the third game in a row there is not much else that can be said – tireless running and another goal.

Line Up: Lowndes, Stewart, Mavros, Simpson, Armitage, Ireland, Thompson (Weston), Graves©, Bradbury, Farrington, Buttery (Vanner)

Subs not used: Gasson, Bailey

Goals: Bradbury (33), Ireland (54), Graves (86)

Alconbury 2-6 Deeping Rangers Reserves

7^th April 2012

Peterborough Premier League

Deeping manager Andy Bailey has bemoaned his sides potency in front of goal throughout the season but can have no complaints this month as his side have now notched 18 goals in 5 games.

This victory was Rangers biggest of the season to date, but in truth was looking unlikely at half time, especially following the 4-1 loss in the reverse fixture last month. After 45 minutes Deeping were staring down the barrel of owning the unwanted record of being the only side to be beaten twice by the leagues basement side when coming in at half time drawing 1-1. Thankfully a bit more composure in front of goal in the second half was enough to secure all three points.

The game started slowly and it took fifteen minutes before Rangers showed what they were capable of with a flowing passing move from right to left involving every team member before a great cross from Sam Thompson that no one attacked at the far post.

This was the impetus that Deeping required and what followed was a master class of keep ball but with no end product.

On 17 minutes a Ryan Birtles whipped corner was met by Ian Bradbury who headed wide from close range but the teams top scorer only had to wait another four minutes to get on the score sheet following great work from Tom Waumsley down the right who skinned his fullback before drilling a cross that took deflections off defender, post and goalkeeper before falling to Bradbury to tap home.

Waumsley was looking dangerous and on 26 minutes he was played through after an intelligent ball by Carl Griffiths but he could only chip over the bar. A minute later it was Bradbury who got the ball in the box and squared to Waumsley, but his first time shot was blocked on the line. On 30 minutes it was Waumsley again who shot with power on the angle, with the resulting block falling to Danny Ireland, whose shot was blocked, ricocheting to Matt Farrington whose chip was saved by the keeper.

For all Deepings play they could not get the second goal and were caught by a sucker punch on 33 minutes. A long ball played down the Deeping right was not dealt with by Andy Stewart and Alconbury forward Lionel Farrell burst onto the ball before hammering his shot into the net over Jamie Lowndes in the Rangers goal.

Five minutes later Stewart was involved in a good passing exchange before surging forward and unleashing a drive from distance that was well saved, but Alconbury nearly had the last word of the half with Lowndes equal to a stinging free kick that he had to tip over the bar.

Whatever was said at half time seemed to do the trick as within three minutes Deeping were back in front. A great cross from Griffiths deep on the left to the far post had Waumsley on hand to side foot home with power. From the restart Waumsley had the chance to double his tally, meeting a cross from Thompson, but his header came back off the crossbar.

Deeping were a different side from that in the first half and put the game to bed on 51 minutes, Danny Ireland collecting a weak headed clearance and taking aim from outside of the box before dispatching a low drive into the bottom corner for his fifth goal in five games.

On the hour Bradbury doubled his tally for the afternoon with Waumsley working his fullback before playing the ball into the feet of his striker who rolled his marker and on entering the box coolly slotted a left foot strike past the keeper.

At 4-1 Deeping were coasting and on 75 minutes Bradbury had a chance to score his second hat-trick in two weeks, but after showing great feet to beat three men in the box the keeper pulled a wonder save out of the top drawer.

Substitute Liam Buttery was having a noticeable impact and within minutes beat his man and struck a fierce shot that hit the upright. He then delivered an inch perfect corner on 77 minutes towards Chris Armitage whose shot at the far post required another excellent save from the Alconbury keeper. Buttery was revelling in his role and again he beat his man, before getting to the by-line and squaring for Ireland who shot just wide.

On 83 minutes Deeping hit the net again, this time Ryan Birtles having pushed on from left back, being cleverly played in by Bradbury who dinked the ball home for 5-1.

Two minutes later it was another Buttery in swinging corner from the left that allowed substitute Dave Weston to head home number six but Deeping were getting sloppy in their pursuit of more goals and Lowndes was required to make a good save when one on one. However his calls for defensive cover were not heeded and in an identical passage of play a minute later it was Alconbury forward Farrell who scored his second of the day after again being put through one on one, this time beating Lowndes for the score to finish 6-2.

Manager Bailey was honest in his assessment of the game saying ‘I feared the worst when they equalised and it was definitely my hardest team talk of the season at halftime. With all due respect to Alconbury, we knew we were a better side than them and had created more than enough chances but we looked like we were coasting and at 1-1 that was not acceptable. I questioned our commitment and what we are looking to achieve as a unit for the rest of the season and thankfully the boys came up with all the right answers as it was a stunning first 15 minutes of the second half. That said we got sloppy at the end and we have to learn to concentrate for a full ninety minutes.’

Man of The Match: Danny Ireland – For the second time in as many games he drove his side forward and was rewarded with another goal.

Line Up: Lowndes, Mavros (Vanner), Birtles, Stewart, Armitage, Griffiths, Waumsley, Ireland, Bradbury, Farrington (Weston), Thompson (Buttery)

Subs not used: Bailey

Goals: Bradbury (21, 60), Waumsley (48), Ireland (51), Birtles (83), Weston (85)

Bookings: Griffiths

Netherton United 3-3 Deeping Rangers Reserves

31st March 2012

Peterborough Premier League

Deeping completed their third game in eight days with a creditable draw that sees them now unbeaten in four, having scored three goals in each of the last four matches. Scoring three goals away from home you would think that Rangers would be unhappy with just a point but on the balance of play this was a fair result for both sides.

The Rangers management team had elected to play the game on Nethertons 3G astroturf and what unfolded was a game that was a credit to the league with fast flowing football and chances galore.

Deeping went into the clash without Matt Simpson and Ian Bradbury who were on 1^st team duty while David Howe kept his place in the side at centre half following an excellent performance in the week away to Ramsey.

Rangers started the game with confidence and it was Sam Thompson who had the first chance of the day on 3 minutes when he cut in from the left and hit a curling effort with his right foot that the Netherton keeper did well to tip over the bar.

The opening exchanges allowed both sides to probe with little goalmouth action but it was Deeping and Thompson again that looked most likely to open the scoring with the youngster creating himself some space before lashing his shot into the side netting on 21 minutes.

This seemed to ignite Netherton and after 25 minutes sustained pressure allowed the cup finalists have three shots in quick succession, with each one being blocked by desperate Deeping defending before finally going out for a corner. From the resulting kick a weak header fell to a Netherton player in the box who had all the time in the world to pick his spot in the back of Rangers net as no attempted to close down his powerful effort.

Rangers were not deterred by the setback and looked the side in form as they powered forward in search of the equaliser and they only had to wait five minutes to be back on level terms, Danny Ireland playing a neat pass through to Thompson who beat his marker and cut inside before lashing home into the bottom corner to mark his first goal in senior football.

It was no more than Deeping deserved and they finished the half in the ascendency as Tom Waumsley worked hard to close down and nick the ball before firing just over the bar and then with a minute of the half remaining, Matt Farrington collected the ball in the middle of the park before threading a neat pass through to Ireland who finished off a great move with a wonderful strike from inside the box to put his side 2-1 up at the break.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Deeping looking the more likely and on 52 minutes Waumsley had a glorious opportunity to put his side 3-1 up when collecting the ball after the Netherton defence and keeper dithered, but he could only hit a week shot on the turn against the post.

Once again it was Deepings near miss that seemed to spring Netherton into action with Jamie Lowndes immediately called into action to make a fine point blank save.

It was obvious Rangers were beginning to tire on a big pitch and following recent competitive matches and Netherton found their equaliser on the hour with Adam Scotcher showing Ryan Birtles a clean pair of heels before delivering a pinpoint cross to the far post for a simple tap home.

Deeping were still creating chances and Howe had a shot from distance whistle just wide on 71 minutes but they found themselves facing defeat just a minute later. The game was opening up and a great defence splitting pass between Howe and Marcus Vanner allowed a Netherton forward to round Lowndes and tap the ball home for the city side to take the lead for the second time in the match.

It looked as if Netherton would secure all the points as they controlled the closing stages and could have had another goal but for a great goal line clearance from Andy Stewart, but in defiance and in a new resolve that Rangers have shown of late they dragged themselves forward and got themselves back into the game once again.

This time with weary legs a great move down the right hand side involving Captain Anthony Graves and midfield playmaker Carl Griffiths allowed the latter to get into the box before cutting the ball back for the energetic Ireland to slam home. Deeping were delighted and right at the death could have secured all three points but following a corner, substitute Calum Parker controlled the ball in the box before smashing over the bar from just a few yards.

Rangers manager Andy Bailey was happy with his sides point saying ‘I have to give great credit to the lads. We’ve had a really tough week and have secured seven points out of nine, but the most pleasing aspect is the way that we didn’t give up today. To snatch a point after being absolutely shattered just shows the spirit we are building in the dressing room and we have to maintain this nice little run we have worked our way in to.’

Man of The Match: Danny Ireland – Another energetic display and another two goals to his name.

Line Up: Lowndes, Mavros (Vanner), Birtles, Stewart, Howe, Griffiths, Waumsley, Graves, Farrington (Westley), Ireland, Thompson (Parker)

Subs not used: Bailey

Goals: Thompson (31), Ireland (44, 86)