After last week's friendly we are now back to league business with an away game at Thurlby - and what lovely playing fields they are too, on this beautiful autumn day. But with a slight slope on our pitch.

Deeping are playing down the slope and Thurlby can't get the ball out of their own half. The inevitable happens and Archie Rickards scores. As usual the young lad has a lot of the ball and uses it well too. Thurlby make a rare run up the right wing with their no.10 but tackled by Harvey Henderson. Mostly though, Deeping are encamped in the Thurlby half and on 7 minutes Harry Barsby scores with a right foot toe poke into the back of the net, after manoeuvring himself into a good shooting position. During this half Fin Nottingham is playing a sweeper role...not a thing gets past him and he always makes a good pass, keeps things simple, no mistakes. The manager, David Henderson makes a few changes with Alfie Fox, Jack Crane and Finlay Henderson coming on. Jack Crane threads a good pass to Alfie Fox who then shoots but saved by the keeper. He then makes another run on goal. This boy must have 3 fruit shoots before he plays - has got more energy than the National Grid! 

Second Half

We're up the hill now but not much changes with Deeping having most of the play. Some good running down the right wing by Finlay Henderson and Harry Barsby but Thurlby forcing corners. Thurlby come a bit more into the match but a very confident Lloyd Barker and defender George Harden thwart their efforts. On 21 minutes Archie Rickards makes a pass to Harry Barsby who beats one defender, then around the keeper to put the ball in the back of the net.  On 23 minutes he scores again with an almost identical goal.  

Captain:  Archie Rickards

Man of the Match:  Harry Barsby

The game started even stevens for the first 13 minutes, with one team going very close, the other missing a penalty - you'll have to guess which team did what!  However, after this things did change dramatically and on 13 minutes a good run down the flank and a cross by Harry Barsby which was slotted in by Archie Rickards.  A minute later the best goal I've seen all season with some lovely movement which started with Finlay Nottingham's great composure, passing to Archie Rickards, who in turn passed to Harry Barsby who ran down the wing, this time crossing for Finlay Henderson to slot it into the net.  Reminded me of the Arsenal of old - and I underline old!  On 17 minutes Alfie Fox shot from the right which crept into the net.  A few moments later he delivered a ball to Jack the lad Crane who scored with a composed run down the middle and slipped the ball past the oncoming keeper.  Next it was Harry Barsby's turn to score, with a rebound from a marvelous volley from Finlay Henderson....could have been Harvey Henderson....not quite sure!!!  A few moments later Harry Barsby scored again with a low right foot shot about 12 yards out.  George Harden then nearly scored with some neat footwork and a shot just going over.  Next a left foot shot found its way into the onion bag in the way of Finlay Henderson.  On the agenda next was a rally of corners taken by Alfie Fox.  Excellent they were too, one finding its way into the net with a little help from a defender.   I haven't mentioned Lloyd Barker much due to him not having much to do.  Throughout the game Archie Rickards ball play and final passing touches were a major part of this match, which brightened up what was a dull morning on the weather front.

Captain: Harry Barsby

Man of the Match: Fin Nottingham

A good start by each team with Stamford's no.10 looking very capable but Deeping matching them in all departments.  On 3 minutes the first goal was scored by a Harry Barsby shot from close in which duly found it's target.  Stamford then pressed with good running on the left, forcing two corners in succession.  The game was finely balanced and on 8 minutes an equaliser should have come Stamford's way but was put wide.  Although Stamford had a lot of the play, Deeping looked comfortable with good tracking and good passing. An Archie Rickards and Harvey Henderson move could have easily made another goal but for a fine save from the goal keeper, with George Harden and Fin Nottingham tidying up at the back.  

Second Half

Straight from the off Harry Barsby won the ball, ran all the way down the middle and turned it in the right hand corner with his left foot.  A great individual goal I must say.   On 20 minutes though Stamford won a free kick from 15 yards through an accidental hand ball.  Great shot by Stamford's no.10 but equally matched by Lloyd Barkers tip over.  When he is called upon, he does his duty does Mr Barker!  Stamford are a good team with a special player in their no.10 but Deeping have a team of special players in all areas - tackling, shooting, ball control, goal keeping and now they seem to have found passing to add to the list.  The game went to and fro with both teams playing well.  One move in particular was very good with telepathy playing a part between Finlay and Harvey Henderson, making a good one two down the left.  On 30 plus minutes a bit of luck came Deepings way with a corner from Alfie Fox being deflected in by a Stamford player.  The game then went on for what seemed like another 5 minutes but Deeping passed the post with a few furlongs to spare!

Captain: Alfie Fox

Man Of The Match: Harry Barsby

The difference between these two teams was down to a bit of lady luck and Lloyd "I won't let a goal get by me" Barker!  If you're going to win a football match you have to put the ball in the onion bag! (which Deeping are very good at!)

The first few minutes were very tight. Harry Barsby making a good run on the left, shot well blocked.  After 4 minutes Alfie Fox got hold of the ball and only let go of it to send it in the back of the net.  Very good on the ball this lad, but after this the first half was mostly about Arsenal and Lloyd Barker's great goal keeping skills.  Time after time the pressure was on Deeping.  On 7 minutes Barker made a great save.  On 12 minutes Arsenal hit the post and so on and so forth.  Fair play to Deeping though, this team are very good on the break and they caused Arsenal a few problems, one from Archie Rickards, one from Finlay Henderson - which maybe he should have scored. Second half

A good start from Deeping in the form of Alfie Fox forcing a save from the keeper, causing a corner but apart from this Arsenal continued the pressure.  After 18 minutes Lloyd made another fine save, until 19 minutes and the inevitable happened - Arsenal equalised - and deservedly so.  Harry Barsby should have scored when he was put through but he slammed the ball straight at the keeper. The Arsenal team are very physical to say the least and caused their undoing by giving away two free kicks which were perfectly executed by Harry Barsby on 23 minutes and Harvey Henderson on 24 minutes.   Arsenal still kept on coming.  Then two goals on the counter from Archie Rickards and George Harden. Arsenal still found time to hit the post with a rapping 20 yard effort.   On the whole a good dogged and clinical game from this young Deeping side.

Captain: George Harden

Man of the Match: Lloyd Barker