Vase hopes shattered, but still plenty to play for

Deeping Rangers’ glorious run in the FA Vase came to an unfortunate end last weekend, but the push for honours is still very much on for the Clarets.

A club-record dash to the last 16 in the Vase finished with a 3-2 defeat at Exeter-based Willand Rovers, a game which saw Deeping twice take the lead before succumbing to a goal 15 minutes from time.

But Deeping bounced back quickly to beat Sleaford 2-1 in a United Counties Premier Division Game at the Haydon Whitham Stadium on Tuesday.

Deeping are now second in the table, seven points behind long-time leaders Daventry with a game in hand.

Deeping can still claim a famous treble as they have reached the final of the Lincs Senior Trophy and the semi-finals of the United Counties League Cup.

“It was a great run in the Vase,” Deeping boss Michael Goode stated. “And we are disappointed to go out, but we are still in the running for three competitions so there is still plenty to play for.”

Scott Mooney and Dan Schiavi twice put Deeping ahead in Devon, but Willand had drawn level by half-time thanks to two deflected strikes and took advantage of tiring opponents after the break.

Mooney and Schiavi also scored against Sleaford.

Deeping have a tricky game at Oadby this Saturday when Peterborough Northern Star entertain Pinchbeck United at the Branch Bros Stadium (3pm) and Holbeach United are at ON C henecks.

Most of the United Counties League programme last weekend fell victim to the cold snap.

Dan Schiavi.