Rangers went into this one with a healthy level of trepidation having seen Boston Towns last two results.

They had scored seven against both Wisbech and Blackstones, whilst Deeping came into this one off the back of some mixed performances and scorelines.

The first half was like a cup tie at times. The game was frenetic whilst being technically great with both sides having chances. However they were coming up against resilient defending.

Pressure was building from the visitors though and you could see why they have been so successful this season. Rangers needed to get to half time with parity and that they did.

All that hard work could have been undone soon after the teams came back out for round two. They conceded another goal from a scramble in the box. As with the weeked a cross was not cleared and Matt Cotton prodded home from close range. The home defence felt the ball had been kicked out of 'keeper Aaron Butchers hands, but the officials stood firm and the goal stood.

The home fans held their breath. The Rangers of last season would have gone into their shell and possibly gone on to concede more goals. But at home in 2025/2026 Deeping are made of sterner stuff. Kellan Hickinson's introduction saw him running with pace and purpose and Boston looked rattled. Josh Randall came on with his pace and trickery and between them they put Johnny Lockie through on goal...

Lockie had a difficult day in the Vase defeat at the weekend. Often isolated and struggling to hold the ball up. But last night was a different story.

...He strode onto the pass before firing the equaliser across the body of Phil McGann in the visitors goal.

It was one all and game on. Both sides had their chances in the final quarter of an hour and both sets of fans went home claiming they should have won. But that's the sign of a decent derby match. There were goals, drama and controversy. It's what we love about the UCL.

Hickinson was the sponsors man of the match, Spencer Tinkler took the supporters award. But goalscorer Lockie would have been close to both awards with a display and goal that warmed us up on the first chilly night of the season.