Doughboys Fail To Fully Rise - Wellingborough Town vs. Deeping Rangers

Deeping attack in front of the stand

So with another couple days of iffy weather, I left home on Saturday with numerous options in mind. I was really keen for Shrivenham but their pitch inspection was a little too late and so after hearing on Twitter that no inspection was planned, I headed to Wellingborough Town who were hosting Deeping Rangers. This match was in The United Counties Premier Division with Wellingborough in the bottom half and Deeping in tenth. Deeping Rangers had a great run in this years FA Cup, reaching the second qualifying round where they were knocked out by Kidderminster. The closest I'd come to seeing either side play before was when I saw next door neighbours (quite literally) Wellingborough Whitworth in an FA Vase tie against Edgware some years ago.

Stand in the sun at kick off

There aren't a lot of clear cut opportunities at the start of the match until when midway through the half, a Wellingborough cross following a break is cut out. It is the home team who take the lead with a near post header from a corner. Straight afterwards, Deeping come close to an equalizer as a shot is deflected just wide. The goal sparks Deeping into life and they pepper the Wellingborough goal and a couple of chances come close to the equalizing goal. When they do score the equalizer, it is in a very similar vein to the Wellingborough goal. The attacker is left unmarked as a free kick if lofted into the box and he heads home to make it one all. Things get worse for Wellingborough immediately afterwards as the forward is able to get to the byline and his pass finds its target and the ball is bundled in to complete the turn around just before half time.

One nil Wellingborough

It doesn't take Wellingborough long in the second half to restore parity. The Deeping keeper appears to misjudge a long range shot which ends going through him and into the net. Both sides push forward looking to retake the lead but neither fail to create a real chance. Wellingborough create the next clear cut chance as the attacker is able to bear down goal, forcing the Deeping keeper to make a great save at his near post. The home team are reduced to ten men mid way through the half as the Wellingborough man is sent off for a late lunge and Deeping are able to take advantage. They get behind the Wellingborough defence and the ball is slid home from close range. The away side get a late fourth to seal the victory.

Deeping make it one all at the clubhouse end

To get to Wellingborough from London you need to take a train from St Pancras direct to Wellingborough which takes forty five minutes. Having been to Wellingborough before I knew to try out The Olde England for ales and welcoming pub cat and to The Horseshoe Inn which is good for any early kick offs. One new find was The Old House which had a great selection of ales. I tried The Session IPA from The Framework Brewery in Leicester. The ground is then a steady twenty minute walk away. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and was very friendly. I didn't sample the food but it looked more than decent.

Dramatic sky over the clubhouse