On a perfect evening for football the spectators saw a compelling contest where the home side, particularly in the second half, had to withstand a barrage from the visitors as they strived to get on level terms (or better)

Sports were quick to show their intent with Josh Moreman bursting down the left to send in a cross that Tom Smith defended as Dan Bannister was about to pounce, Dan Buccerio’s long clearance found Mark Jones who withstood the challenge of Callum Madigan to get his shot in the clipped the top of the bar.

Deeping responded, Dan Schiavi’s inswinging kick had Sports defender Josh Sanders reacting well to thwart the danger under pressure from several Rangers players.

The visitors were having the better of the chances, Bannister sent in a dangerous cross to the far post where Dan Flack got to the ball just before M Jones, Dan Lawlor’s corner fizzed through the packed goal area and out wide of the far post, Averlino Viera held off the Luke Hunnings challenge to lay into the Bannister whose cross was well defended by Madigan.

At the other end a Mooney break towards the Sports box saw Richard Jones upend him and collect a yellow card, the free kick saw Schiavi blast from 30 yards to hit the blocking Buccerio

Play was getting to and fro, Lawlor’s corner was met by Sanders who saw his header cleared on the line by Smith, Deeping’s Flack sent in a deep cross that visiting keeper Luke McShane palmed away from under the bar at full stretch as Jason Kilbride arrived to apply the finishing touch.

McShane then saved as Scott Coupland’s touch took him clear of the defender but shot at the keeper.

A swift Deeping break saw Schiavi burst forward to shoot, and be blocked, when a pass to the left or right could have been the better option.

Rangers made the breakthrough on 38 mins, Scott Mooney collected mid Sports half and ran through the visiting defence to get to the edge of the box where he shot inside the far post past the dive of McShane – his effort thus far had earned that goal!

Sports retaliated, M Jones collected, held of one challenge to progress into the box where a great tackle from Flack halted the threat.

Half Time - Deeping Rangers 1 Peterborough Sports 0

Obviously stinging from the Manager’s half time ‘talk’, Sports went on the offensive from the start of the second period, a Buccerio deep kick saw M Jones rise at the far post to across goal and inches wide of the far stick

Deeping were not letting it all their own way, a Schiavi free kick deep into the goal area was met by a combined Hunnings/Madigan attack only to see the ball wide of the post

Bannister’s goal line cross gave M Jones another header to see Richard Stainsby make a smart save by the foot of the post, another Lawlor corner was met by R Jones to see his header cleared from the line by Flack – Sports claimed the goal but the assistant was not agreeing.

Sports were now applying the pressure, sub Dan Clements’ cross presented Viera with an header that Stainsby flung himself at to scoop away from the line, Lawlor’s corner was met by the towering R Jones but Rangers scrambled the ball clear, M Jones then turned provider for Viera who misheaded a good opportunity.

Rangers opportunities were becoming rare, Coupland broke well, held up and the played into Kilbride whose shot was taken by McShane

The Lawlor corner, header by R Jones combination saw Luke Avis head clear from under the bar.

Deeping sub Luis Vieria’s first touch set Mooney free where his cross just evaded the arriving Schiavi at the far post, they then had a penalty appeal brushed away – dominant home skipper David Burton-Jones won well and thrust forward to feed Mooney into the box where his run was ended by the challenge of R Jones – stronger referee’s would have given the spot kick

Sports M Jones saw two efforts well saved by the evermore influential Stainsby as Deeping dug deep into their resolve, the reward was almost gained as they had glorious chance to increase their lead – the tireless Mooney got the better of two defenders to get to the goal line where his pull back found Coupland who was tripped and this time the referee did award the penalty. Coupland stepped up but blazed the shot wide of the post.

Peterborough’s Viera saw his shot bring another good save from Stainsby as the visitors pushed for the equaliser, the homeside had another good chance when sublime play from Mooney saw him escape the attention of three defenders to get to the goal line where his pull back was met by Henry Dunn but the shot was blocked.

With additional time well advanced Sports sub Jordan Macleod cut inside to curl a shot goalwards where Madigan typified the Deeping spirit to fling himself at the ball to head clear.

This was a good performance from the home side, full of the traits expected from the Clarets nd from that perspective a merited win (I’m sure Sports fans would have a different view) – a good way to record the first home league win!

Full Time - Deeping Rangers 1 Peterborough Sports 0

Attendance – 155

Match Ball Sponsor – Groundstaff – Dave Holmes and Ken Phillips

DRFC Player of the Match - Scott Mooney