The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Deeping Rangers are gunning for plenty more FA Vase glory
Football - The local non-league scene
Deeping Rangers manager Michael Goode is backing his side to make another strong run in the FA Vase.
Last season the Clarets made a club record surge to the last 16 before losing to Exeter-based Willand Rovers on a mudheap of a pitch.
That strong showing meant Deeping were exempt from the competition until the second round stage this term and their first tie is against Eastern Counties League highfliers Stanway Rovers at theHaydenWhithamStadium on Saturday (3pm).
“We got an exciting taste for this competition last season,” Goode said. “It was a fantastic run to the last 16 and I am convinced we would have performed better in the game at Willand if the playing surface had been better.
“Getting drawn at home is crucial in the Vase so I was delighted to get that for this weekend. We fancy our chances against anyone at our place, although Stanway are sure to be tough opponents.
“We’ve had some great battles with clubs from the Eastern Counties League over the years. We have usually come out on top, but the games have been tough and competitive and this one will be the same. If we can win this one there’s no reason why we can’t enjoy another great run.”
Deeping head into the tie in second place in the United Counties Premier Division.
Last weekend’s attractive fixture against fellow title contenders Loughborough Dynamoes was washed out and Goode is somewhat bemused by his side’s high placing.
“I don’t know how we got there to be honest,” Goode added. “We have been a bit stop-start this season although we’ve hit some form in the last couple of matches so it was disappointing not to play last weekend.
“We’re all chasing Shepshed (Dynamo) who have won every game so far including one at our place, but there’s a long way to go and I am sure we can catch them.
“They beat us by scoring with one of their three shots on goal. We dominated the game, but missed our own chances to score.
“Shepshed kept 10 clean sheets in a row so they must be doing a lot right, but there’s a long way to go.”
Deeping beat Division One side Irchester 4-1 in the UCL Cup on Tuesday with goals from David Burton-Jones, Jason Kilbride, Dan Jarvis and Jack Gurney.
Dan Banister and Tom Garlick are injury doubts on Saturday.