ROUND-UP: Tulips feel the Force, damp squib in Deeping, Fenman find form, Hares aren't running well

Action from the 0-0 draw between Deeping Rangers (claret) and Yaxley. Photo: David Lowndes.

Rawlinson replaced Dave Frecklington (who left for higher level Gainsborough Trinity) this week, but couldn’t stop the Tulips slipping to a 3-1 defeat at hot title favourites Shaw Lane Aquaforce from Barnsley.

“We played well in patches,” Rawlinson stated. “But ultimately we weren’t good enough in either penalty area.”

Spalding trailed at the break before skipper Nathan Stainfield drew them level 10 minutes into the second-half, but the home side scored twice late on to extend their lead to six points (and they have five games in hand on Spalding).

It was a disappointing 0-0 draw between Deeping (claret) and Yaxley in the United Counties Premier Division today. Photo: David Lowndes.

Spalding remain second, but they are unlikely to stay there for much longer as three clubs, Witton Albion, Newcastle Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds are all closing the gap and have games in hand. Spalding are at Rushden on Tuesday (February 21).

Stamford’s miserable campaign continued as they went down 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Market Drayton Town at the Zeeco Stadium. The Daniels, who have dropped to 17th, dominated the first half, but were eventually given a lesson in finishing by their visitors who scored twice in the final 20 minutes.

The big local game in the United Countes League between second-placed Deeping Rangers and fifth-placed Yaxley at the Haydon Whitham Stadium proved to be a damp squib as both sides drew a blank.

“If I’d have paid to get in, I’d have asked for my money back,” Yaxley manager Brett Whaley said.

It was a stalemate between Deeping and Yaxley at the Haydon Whitham Stadium. Photo: David Lowndes.

Deeping, who had slightly the better of the game, stay second and were boosted by a shock home defeat for third-placed Eynesbury which also made it a great day for leaders Peterborough Sports.

The city side are now nine points clear at the top after cruising to a 4-1 win at rock bottom Huntingdon. Avelino Vieira scored twice with Ollie Medwynter and Mapeo Mendes, a recent signing from Rothwell who was bagging his first goal for the club, also netting.

Lee Barsby fired Peterborough Northern Star in front at Sileby, but the home side hit back to win 2-1 thanks to a last-minute winner.

Holbeach led at struggling Kirby Muxloe, but went down 3-1, while Wisbech trailed at Rothwell Corinthians, but recovered to win 3-1.

Kieron Blanchard (white) in action for Peterborough Northern Star at Sileby. Photo: Tim Gates.

Billy Smith. Alex Beck and Liam Adams scored for the Fenmen who have moved above Holbeach into seventh place.

Blackstones were beaten 3-0 at home by Potton in Division One.

March Town lost 1-0 to Whitton United in Division One of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League. That’s four defeats in a row without scoring a goal for the Hares.

RESULTS

Dan Wilson (white) in action for Peterborough Northern Star in their 2-1 defeat at Sileby. Photo: Tim Gates.

Saturday, February 18

EVO-STIK LEAGUE

Division One South

Shaw Lane 3, Spalding United 1 (Stainfield)

Stamford 0, Market Drayton Town 2.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division

Deeping Rangers 0, Yaxley 0.

Huntingdon Town 1, Peterborough Sports 4 (Vieira 2, Mendes, Medwynter)

Kirby Muxloe 3, Holbeach United 1

Northampton Sileby Rangers 2, Peterborough Northern Star 1 (Barsby)

Rothwell Corinthians 1, Wisbech Town 3 (Smith, Beck, Adams).

Division One

Blackstones 0, Potton United 3.

THURLOW NUNN EASTERN LEAGUE

Division One

Cornard United 2, Wisbech St Mary 4

March Town United 0, Whitton United 1