Deeping stay strong defensively to draw at home to Rothwell
Deeping Rangers joint manager Daniel French was pleased with his side's solid defensive showing in their goalless draw against Rothwell Corinthians on Saturday.
But French admitted that the Uhlsport United Counties League Premier Division encounter at the Haydon Witham Stadium "wasn't one for the neutrals to watch".
After an uneventful first half, Rothwell twice hit the bar and also had a penalty appeal turned down in the second 45 minutes.
However, the Clarets nearly sneaked a win at the end when Jones De Souza sent a cross into the Rothwell box where Jake Sansby struck a close range volley that rebounded off the post.
Lee Clarke, French's managerial partner, started the game up front in the absence of the injured Jack Smith, while there was also a full debut for FCV Stamford Academy winger T'ai Williams.
French said: "The game wasn't a great spectacle and it wasn't one for the neutrals to watch.
"I don't think either side were overly convincing going forward and we weren't at our best with the ball at our feet.
"Rothwell were very direct, putting aerial balls and thrown-ins into our box.
"But we stood up to it well defensively and when Jones De Souza came on for his first appearance with the club, he put a great ball in from the right for Jake Sansby who arrived with a left foot volley that hit the outside of the post.
"It would have been unfair on Rothwell because they hit the bar twice, but we'd have taken it.
"We've now got seven points from a possible nine and our first clean sheet, but we've got a little bit to work on going forward."
The Clarets face Wellingborough Town at home in the league on Tuesday night and French said: "We need to take the game to them and retain the ball.
"Then, as we progress into the final third, we need to have that bit of quality in front of goal."
Deeping: Swan, Walton, Bloodworth, Hunnings, Carter (sub Burton Jones); Papworth; Williams (sub De Souza), Coulson, Banister (sub Simpson); Sansby; Clarke. Subs not used: Rhiney, Peasgood.
