Deeping have 'cobwebs' blown away by Posh under-18s

Deeping Rangers' joint manager Lee Clarke saw his side experience a baptism of fire against Peterborough United's under-18s at the Haydon Witham Stadium.

It was the Clarets' first pre-season game after training sessions with the new management team of Clarke and Dan French.

Club captain David Burton-Jones, central defender Luke Hunnings, right back Dan Flack, as well as midfielders Michael Simpson and Matt Carter, were among Deeping's regulars from last season who played.

Also at Clarke and French's disposal were ex-Posh youth team players Charlie Coulson and Oli Shackleton who both featured against a side managed by ex-Peterborough United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington.

Deeping were 3-0 down at half time and conceded two more before Shackleton netted a consolation goal for the hosts.

Clarke said: "Peterborough had a couple of first year professionals in their side and they showed the difference in organisations, energy, fitness and sharpness.

"They were very well-drilled, technically very sound and very good at moving the ball around.

"But we had our moments against a side who played nice, academy football and it was quite nice for Oli to score against his old club.

"No one goes into a pre-season friendly wanting to lose, but the main thing was to dust the cobwebs off and get some fitness into them."

Clarke pointed out that for many of his players, it was their first taste of action for more than five months when the Clarets drew 1-1 at ON Chenecks in the United Counties League (UCL) Premier Division on March 7.

"The result is what it is, but the match was about fitness, personnel and formations.

"We learned a lot on Saturday and there were some big positives for us in that a lot of our lads were given a little bit of an indication of what their fitness levels need to be.

"We fielded two different sides, one made up of lads who've been here for a while, the other made up of some new lads.

"It was a chance for us to see how they could fit in to what we want to do and we now have a good idea of where we want them to be."

Next for Deeping is an A15 friendly derby behind closed doors against UCL Division one neighbours Bourne Town at the Haydon Witham Stadium tonight.

Clarke said: "The game will be similar in the way we approach things in that we'll have two teams, playing separate 11s in each half.

"But it'll be more realistic to how our league will be this season, much more of a physical battle.

"It'll be good to see our lads in that sort of environment and then we'll consider things after Tuesday night."