Deeping lost recent home matches to Boston and Kimberley to the weather, whilst Yaxley missed out on a trip to Butts Park last weekend to visit Coventry United.

The last time these two met was in pre-season 2023/2024 with Rangers winning easily at Leading Drove.

This is a derby with a bit of history with Yaxley having had some memorable road trips to Deeping over the years. I remember a narrow win in the visitors UCL winning season and a couple of closely fought draws at Yaxley.

There are plenty of former Yaxley players and coaches at the Haydon Whitham nowadays. Manager Brett Whaley was in the Yaxley dugout for their epic FA Vase run. Former Rangers Managers Luke Hipwell and Scott Bogusz were also in that side. Liam Hook was part of that midfield and spent many successful years on the edge of Holme fen.

Assistant Deeping Manager Chris Lenton enjoyed a lot of success with Yaxley under Jimmy Watson. Matt Sparrow was a star man under Andy Furnell playing step 4 for the club.

Most recently Luke Hunnings, Tom Waumsley, Scott Waumsley, Finlay Henderson and Oleks Muzychuk have both left the Cuckoos to take a trip up the A15 to join Deeping. Yaxley are reporting that Rangers midfielder Callum Pratt has moved in the other direction to join them.

Throwing all of that in the mix, there is plenty to keep you entertained in this friendly match.

The bar won't be open sadly but the tea bar will serve both hot and cold food.

To reflect that this is a friendly, admission is £4 for adults and £2 for concession.