DEEPING RANGERS 0 NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN 0: Tuncay Korkmaz admitted that he was satisfied with a point against a resurgent Pagnell outfit on Saturday.

Neither side could break the deadlock at Outgang Road – which was in stark contrast to the earlier meeting between the two, which finished 8-2 to Rangers.

The draw does stretch Deeping’s unbeaten run to four games, but sees them slip 18 points behind league leaders Holbeach United.

Player/boss Korkmaz said: “It was a tough game. I must give great credit to Pagnell, they are a very decent side and the result was fair.

“I’ve not seen many better teams than them this season and would expect them to finish strongly.

“For us, a clean sheet is a big positive – but maybe we could have had a few more shots.”

Alex Beck blasted Deeping’s only real chance of the first half over, while Lewis Stone saw a second-half chance hit the side netting.

At the other end, a string of fine saves from keeper James Doughty earned the Rangers number one the man of the match award.

The pick of his saves was a stunning reflex stop to deny the lively Jared Cuniffe.

Rangers did have two great chances to win it late on, but Steve Julian’s powerful close-range effort was saved, before Dave Burton-Jones headed just over from a corner.

New signing Liam Bull, who has joined from Spalding United, was an unused substitute.

Rangers: Doughty, Tinkler, Jackson, Ashton, Julian, Holt, Lambley, Burton-Jones, Beck (Stebbing), Stevens, Stone (Deane). Not used: Bull, Evans.

SPALDING UNITED 1 NORTHAMPTON SPENCER 0 (AET): Star striker TJ Nightingale jumped off the bench to net a late winner and spare Spalding the lottery of a UCL League Cup penalty shoot-out on Saturday.

Prior to his intervention, the Tulips endured a frustrating two hours against hard-working UCL Division One outfit Northampton Spencer at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.

Luke Kennedy even missed an extra-time penalty for Spalding in the first round tie, before Nightingale pounced on a defensive error to lash home the only goal of the game from six yards on 117 minutes.

Tulips chief Pat Rayment paid tribute to opponents Spencer, admitting it was one of the toughest games his side have had this season.

“They made life very difficult for us,” admitted the former Peterborough United professional. “They were very physical and gave us a really hard time.

“The longer the game went on I started to wonder if it wasn’t going to be our day – and I didn’t really fancy penalties, especially after missing one.

“But TJ came on and got the job done, which is all that matters in cup games. It was a decent all-round display.”

The Tulips, who welcomed back skipper Lee Canoville and midfielder Dan Steadman, were still missing a host of first team regulars for the cup clash.

They bossed the first half, but created little. Dan Cotton had their best chance, but was denied by the first of many super stops from Stuart Lutter.

After the break, Kennedy drove a good effort just wide of the post, while a header by Tom James from a Canoville cross flew high over the bar.

Nightingale then slotted a clear chance wide as full time approached – as did Miles Chamberlain in the final minute.

With an additional half hour needed, and Kennedy seeing a 109th minute penalty saved, a shoot-out now loomed large.

But Nightingale had other ideas, firing low past the seemingly unbeatable Lutter with just three minutes remaining.

Spalding will host Cogenhoe United in round two.

Tulips: Drury, Canoville, Freeman, Chamberlain, Fuff, Cotton, James, Hall, Steadman (Hussey), Joyce (Nightingale), Battersby (Kennedy).

Emergency services have dealt with a spate of accidents on the district’s icy roads this morning.

As already reported, the fire service freed a man trapped in his milk van after it plunged into a ditch at Beach Road, Gosberton Risegate.

The accident happened at about 5.20am and fire crews had to remove the vehicle’s windscreen to free him.

Police say the 41-year-old Peterborough man was taken to Peterborough City Hospital as a precaution.

A woman driver had a lucky escape on the A151 between Holbeach and Whaplode when her car ran off the road and overturned in a field.

The 22-year-old, from St Albans, did not require hospital treatment.

• There were big tailbacks on the A16 and A17 this morning following a crash between a lorry and a van on the King’s Lynn side of Fosdyke. The accident happened at 7.40am. No one went to hospital.

One driver said it took her 40 minutes to travel from Kirton to Sutterton roundabout with stop-start traffic all of the way.

Police say the damaged vehicles were cleared by 9.15am, but the roads remained choked with traffic queues.

No one went to hospital.

Police were also called to the A16 Springfields roundabout this morning when a lorry broke down, sparking further tailbacks on surrounding roads.

GREAT FOR THE FAMILY

Never mind the weather: get active! The swimming pool at Bourne Leisure Centre is great fun, with a flume and other water features. You could always combine with a walk in Bourne Wood.

LIVELY NIGHT OUT

A race night with bingo being held at the Lamb & Flag at Whaplode on Saturday (8pm) will raise money for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

QUIET NIGHT IN

The Help DVD, Kathryn Stockett’s powerful story set in 1960s Mississippi about the aspiring young author who decides to write about the huge gulf between African-American maids and the white women they work for, creating a secret writing project and friendships that cross boundaries.

Holbeach United will not be taking any action over Kettering Town’s clumsy pursuit of Jason Turner.

The Tigers, who had threatened to report the Poppies to the FA, decided to waive the need for a seven-day notice of approach.

That allowed ex-King’s Lynn Town striker Turner, who only scored twice for Holbeach, to make his Kettering debut on Saturday.

Tigers boss John Chand had threatened to complain to the FA after the cash-strapped Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division side approached the 31-year-old hitman without going through the correct channels.

Turner’s exit could be tempered by the arrival of former Spalding United striker Gregg Smith, though.

The power-house attacker, who has been with Evo-Stik Division One South side Stamford, was the second leading scorer behind Simon Mowbray at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field last year.

A seven day approach has gone in to Blackstones, the team that holds his UCL registration.

Space scientist Dr Lucie Green, of BBC Stargazing fame, is talking about The Highs and Lows of Solar Activity in Spalding on Friday (7pm).

The scientist is speaking at South Lincolnshire Astronomical & Geographical Society’s meeting at Spalding Grammar School (7pm).

Create your own piece of work at a stained glass workshop.

It is being held by Strawberry Glass at the Unique Cottage Studios in Spalding on Tuesday (10am to 4pm).

Book first by telephoning 07714 458813.

Anyone interested in windmills or Moulton village is invited to a meeting of The Friends of Moulton Mill at the mill on Tuesday (7.30pm) – refreshments will be available.

There’s a quiz night at the mill next Friday, January 22 (7.30).

Volunteers keen to do unpaid police work can find out about life as a special constable at a recruitment evening in Spalding next week.

Special constables work alongside officers in the regular force and often with other experienced ‘Specials.’

Specials chief officer Steve Woodcock said: “As a special constable, there is a chance to meet people from a variety of backgrounds in an even wider range of situations.

“Officers learn much about human nature, teamwork and increase their ability to cope with the unexpected.”

To find out if you are eligible to join, visit www.lincs.police.uk/Join-Us/Special-Constables.

Recruitment evenings start at 7pm on Thursday, January 24 at Spalding Police Station and January 31 at Boston Police Station.

Students from Donington’s Thomas Cowley High School Cowley have been learning the ins and out of journalism at a newspaper day.

The school’s Chronicle Club visited Lincoln University School of Journalism taking along articles they have written for their school newspaper.

The club meets every Tuesday and is suitable for budding reporters or those who just like to write.

The members of the Cowley Chronicle Club are Esther Howard, Daniel Dicker, Nathan Posey, Deanna Masterman, Leah Hall, Katie Hudson, Hollie Silk and Austin Russell.

Teaching assistant Faye Houltby, who helps run the club, said: “ I enjoy working with the students as they are keen to write, and it is great to see their enthusiasm.”

McDonald’s in Spalding is set to open a new “side by side” drive-thru to give a speedier service to its customers.

Work begins next week and the three-week project includes installation of a second drive-thru order point.

The fast food restaurant on Holbeach Road will remain open while building works are carried out over the next three weeks, but the drive-thru itself will be closed until at least Friday, February 8.

The side by side service is expected to be up and running by Monday, February 11, but one lane could be open the Friday before.

Spalding McDonald’s business manager Russell Simpson said the major changes are a new lane across the back of the restaurant, which will run parallel to the existing drive-thru, and the new order post.

Mr Simpson said: “There will be limited parking on site but we will be open in the restaurant fully.

“The majority of the company owned stores will be having these installed and it’s just a new service platform that the company are rolling out.”

He said the side by side drive-thru is the biggest investment at the restaurant since a major refurbishment was carried out in 2010.

McDonald’s employs 100 people at Spalding and it’s one of the town’s busiest food outlets.

The Spalding branch currently opens from 5am-midnight seven days a week, but has in the past traded 24 hours a day.

Mr Russell said the company is looking at returning to 24-hour trading.

He said McDonald’s never had a permanent licence to trade round the clock.

“I believe it was always temporary,” he said. “I think it just wasn’t renewed.”

Jennifer Cottis has designed everything from a surface grinder to a parcel sorting machine in her time as an industrial designer.

These days, she doesn’t feel the need to make things that function and isn’t even concerned if they don’t look quite right.

“They are as they grow,” says Jennifer, whose career in industrial design was followed by a spell in teaching.

Jennifer, who lives in Donington, eventually gave that up so that she could pursue the areas that had always been of interest: painting and drawing.

She says: “You are still looking at the form of things, for balance and symmetry and for a pleasing shape to the composition.”

Her work falls into three main categories: landscapes, seascapes and the human form – and this last might be work produced from life classes or it might be based on old Bones, the skeleton kept behind the door in Jennifer’s studio.

Her work is frequently on show in open exhibitions in Lincolnshire as well as London and other cities and Jennifer held a solo exhibition in Skegness last year. An exhibition at the Carre Gallery in Sleaford resulted in her winning an award for her sketch of a Boston fishing scene.

However, more recently her work has moved into other projects that almost hark back to her design origins. Jennifer is working in both 2D and 3D, producing series of drawings on one subject which might be turned into oil paintings and ceramic shapes.

For instance, Jennifer joined a series of sketches of Whitby to create a panorama and then produced paintings from various angles. About a year ago, Jennifer began working in 3D in ceramics and used the Whitby sketches for inspiration to create shapes inspired by two elements associated with the town.

“The steps are the fundamental essence of Whitby, that and its higgledy-piggledy houses that aren’t square or rectangular,” says Jennifer. “The painting has got an almost vertiginous drop; you feel that you are going to fall into the sea.

“I also started working on a series of sea pots and I like to think of them as 3D paintings rather than functional pots. I don’t work in function any more.”

Having said that, Jennifer is analytical when it comes to studying the form and movement of things such as waves, producing dozens of drawings before work is translated to paintings and pots.

See more examples of her work at www.jacottis.com

The arctic blast that brought snow to the area this week has raised fears freezing conditions will bring an increase in accidents.

After exceptionally mild conditions over Christmas, temperatures are expected to plunge to -5C this evening (Tuesday) with heavy snow predicted oon Friday, according to the Met Office.

Snow fell across the district during Sunday night becoming heavier Monday afternoon. It is expected to remain around freezing or below until at least Sunday.

Six new gritters based at Pode Hole kept the areas’s roads accident free on Monday, but police have issued warnings after a spate of incidents in similar conditions a year ago when motorists ignored conditions and left the road. There was also a number of accidents during a cold spell before Christmas.

Last week there was additional concern when South Holland was shrouded in fog on Thursday and a collision took place on Crowland bypass, blocking the road at rush hour.

Sgt Stuart Hurst, of Spalding police, is urging motorists heading for work to take extra care in freezing conditions.

He said: “Leaving the engines running to defrost the windscreens makes easy pickings for thieves.

“Give yourself plenty of time to get to work and always drive taking into account the road conditions.

“It’s advisable to make sure your mobile is charged in case you run into trouble and have extra warm clothes in the car and a flask with a hot drink.

”It’s also advisable to have spare headlight bulbs with you so if it is dark you will be seen. In other parts of Europe drivers have to do this by law.”

John Siddle, of Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said if conditions are bad motorists should always ask themselves if the journey was really necessary.

He said: “If the journey is necessary always be prepared. Additional ways of staying safe include making sure you have plenty of fuel so you can keep the engine running and be warm – and let people know before you set off what time you are expected to arrive.

“Should you lose control in the ice, take your foot off the accelerator and don’t brake until you regain control.

”When there is an accident most drivers will never put it down to bad handling, but when the roads are icy it doesn’t matter how skilled you are.”

More tips and advice on winter driving are available by visiting www.roadlincs.com

W’BOROUGH WHITWORTH 1 BOURNE TOWN 1: It proved to be a mid-table stalemate as the Wakes picked up a decent draw on Saturday.

Bourne looked on-course for an impressive win when defender Aaron Jesson tapped home a rare goal five minutes into the second half.

But hosts Whitworth replied on 61 minutes when the prolific Cavell Jarvis got his customary goal.

The point keeps Darren Munton’s side in tenth place.

Bourne: Bellairs, Elger, Cardall, Rook, D Smith, Jesson, Wood (McDonnell), Moss, Caldicott, Currall (Spearink), Easson (Feeley).

• Saturday: Bourne Town v Northampton Spencer (3pm).

MATLOCK 33 SPALDING RFC 23: Town produced one of their best-ever showings at the notoriously tough Matlock venue – but it was ultimately a fruitless trip as they dropped into the bottom two.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, Spalding kicked off with the tough slope against them.

They almost made the perfect start against their promotion-chasing hosts though, as Harry Harrison touched down in the corner.

But it was ruled that the ball was knocked on in the process of being put down and the points were chalked off.

However, the away side didn’t have to wait too long to open the scoring. Awarded a penalty some 30 metres out, Dave Hankinson had no problem dispatching an early three points.

The larger and stronger Matlock forwards were making their advantage tell in the scrums and loose play though – and although Spalding stood firm, they soon made their mark. Having kicked a penalty into touch, the hosts won the lineout and drove over the line for a converted try. From the re-start Hankinson had the chance to pull three points back, but sent another penalty wide of the posts.

Almost instantly Matlock were then awarded a scrum just inside their half. The ball was quickly cleared from the base of the scrum and their centre showed his pace and cut through the visitors’ defence to score under the posts.

The conversion made it 14-3 in the hosts’ favour after just 2o minutes.

That soon got worse when a Matlock scrum ten metres out resulted in the Spalding forwards wheeling – and denying the score.

The referee had no alternative than to award a penalty try, which was duly converted and the score moved to 21-3.

A Hankinson penalty reduced the deficit somewhat, but Matlock drove a scrum over the line to register another try before half time, which again was converted.

There was no change in momentum early in the second half, as the hosts yet again drove a scrum over the line to score. Although the conversion failed, Town were now trailing 33-6.

The Spalding of earlier this season may have caved in at the stage, but Town are now made of sterner stuff. They grabbed their first try on 46 minutes after a Matlock forward received a ten minute break in the sin bin. After winning a lineout, Spalding skipper Harry Sharman emerged with the ball to score. Hankinson added the conversion to cut the home lead.

With the game now being played largely in Matlock’s 22 metre area, Town started to sense an upset. Awarded a touch some 20 metres out, it was Sharman again who broke clear, shrugging off two tacklers before touching down for a second try. Hankinson again converted, leaving Spalding right in the game with ten minutes left.

The away side continued to pile on the pressure late on, but couldn’t find another score – despite spurning an opportunity to kick another penalty, which would have earned them a bonus point.

Spalding RFC: Harry Sharman (captain), Peter Waudby, Ollie Lake, Jimmy Rowlands, Harry Brown, Alex Coates, Ed Duerden, Ash Anker, Rob Lucas, Dave Hankinson, Ben Williamson, Ryan Chappell, Harry Harrison, Harry Winch, Adam McHugh, Sam Cooke, Luke Scotney and Craig Dowse.

• Saturday: Market Rasen & Louth v Spalding RFC (2.15pm).

Fans of Spalding United are being asked to get in touch with the club if they wish to grab a seat on the coach for Saturday’s FA Vase tie at Ely City.

A coach is leaving the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field at 11.30am, with seats available for any supporters wishing to watch the round four clash.

Email Tulips@uk2.net to register your interest, leaving a contact number if possible.

The Spalding and District Table Tennis League, sponsored by Vital Recruitment, returned to action with a bang last week after the festive holiday break.

Main item on the agenda was Round One of the Marylands Cup, with teams playing off individual handicaps up to 31.

The problem with this type of event is a player with very erratic form. They can make the handicap given look too low, while at other times it is too high. This happened when Ha’st met Defenders, with Hannah Gilbert hitting the high spot and crushing Jean White in the process.

That set the tone for the whole match and although Defenders levelled in the next game the final dead rubber was the only close call in a 4–1 win for Ha’st.

Mike Mulligan of Castle Sports just hit through everything and gave Division One leaders Bladerunners a fright, losing one closely and winning his other, although the match was decided by then.

However, Blades took two of the other three games to go through 3–2.

Dark Knights won by the same score against Nomads, but this time the match was undecided until the third end in the final game.

Knights’ Baber Khan had a good night, winning his two, including the decider, though he was forced to three in both.

Richard Matthews chipped in with a straight ends victory

Meanwhile, Nomads fought back from two down to level the match, taking both points over the full distance.

In the next round, to be played on February 6, Bladerunners face JDM Allsorts, Ha’st meet Haz Beans on a Roll and Dark Knights play JAG. The remaining tie sees Insidious and South Holland matched up.

One postponed league match was also played.

JDM moved up to third in Division One after defeating JAG 5–0. They are now three off the lead on the same games, but have a game in hand on second.

Pete Budd and Phil Chandler took the points.

Villagers in Rippingale have lost a three-year battle to save its surgery – but have been involved in groundbreaking negotiations to provide transport for patients to a neighbouring practice.

Discussions were taking place on Thursday to establish how the first transport scheme of its kind in the country would be organised to take patients to the New Springwells surgery in Billingborough – five miles away.

According to campaigners, formal notice of the surgery’s closure on March 31 was given in November – not allowing six months as originally thought.

This has been an additional blow for villagers, who also lost their school and only have limited access to a post office run from the local pub.

Many patients are elderly or disabled, with young families left stranded because they are single car owners and there is very limited public transport.

Mike Hallas, chairman of the Rippingale Parish Council ,said: “We have had a local surgery for 150 years and to be given four-and-a-half months notice of its closure is simply appalling. We have not had a single incident quoted to back up the contention that patient safety is at risk.

“Those grounds are tenuous in the extreme, as is the Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust’s refusal to let us see any documentation of their discussions.

“We believe it’s no coincidence the closure date matches that when PCTs cease to exist, rather than showing real care for patients and their democratic rights.

“We have not given up – we will continue to take the whole issue to higher levels and to investigate other options.”

The surgery at Rippingale is a satellite for the New Springwells practice and has more than 1,000 patients registered there.

Announcement of its closure comes in spite of two public consultations and two practices withdrawing interest in taking it over – one citing the long delay in the process as a reason.

But it wasn’t until October 2012 that the PCT wrote to say they had accepted New Springwells’ “clinical concerns” and that the surgery would close.

Mr Hallas said in the village’s January newsletter: “We are somewhat reconciled by the fact the surgery will have kept open for 3.5 years and at least we will have provided some safeguards for those patients unable to transport themselves to Billingborough.”

A spokesman for NHS Lincolnshire said: “The parish council was informed on September 26 last year of the board’s decision to close Rippingale branch surgery; giving six months’ notice to the planned closure on March 31.

“NHS Lincolnshire continues to work closely with the Parish Council and the GP practice to identify a solution around transport arrangements from Rippingale to The New Springwells Practice in Billingborough.”

Police are seeking eyewitnesses to help in the hunt for two men who are getting into elderly people’s homes with the intention of stealing.

Residents as old as 95 were victims in three incidents on Friday, but it’s not yet clear if anything was stolen.

Police say homes in Godsey Lane, Market Deeping, Northorpe Lane, Thurlby, and Bourne Road, Colsterworth were targeted during the afternoon and early evening and the men fled as soon as they were found.

A spokesman said: “They had either broken in through windows or got in through unlocked doors.”

The only description police have is that the men are white and aged between 30 and 40 years.

Police are asking witnesses who may have seen the men or their vehicles in the named streets to get in touch urgently with Det Sgt Simon Todd at Grantham CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

• Police are also urging families to discuss the issue of intruders with elderly relatives and help them step-up their home security, such as keeping their windows and doors locked whenever possible.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) is warning motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running whilst defrosting the windscreen, as many insurers will not pay the claim should the car be stolen.

Most motor insurance policies now have a specific “keys in car” or “vehicle left unattended” clause and exclude claims in these circumstances.

In addition, there will be a “reasonable care” clause, whereby the insurer may reject a claim on the grounds of the policyholder being “reckless” in not safeguarding the vehicle.

BIBA urges consumers to be aware that there are a number of situations that could leave them at risk:Leaving the keys in/on the vehicle or in the ignition.

lLeaving an unlocked vehicle unattended.

Vehicles are most vulnerable when people are paying for petrol or are outside the family home.

Waking up on a freezing cold morning, it can be tempting to save a few extra minutes by starting the engine and warming the vehicle up while you nip back inside to finish getting ready.

But, from experience, BIBA knows that many motorists who do this may be at risk from “frosting,” which is when opportunist thieves steal the vehicle with the keys in the ignition, while the windscreen is being defrosted.

There are a number of exclusions that can lead to the policyholder not being able to claim for the stolen vehicle and BIBA’s top tips for ensuring drivers don’t face this problem are:

lLeave enough time to defrost the car properly;

lStay with the vehicle at all times when defrosting;

lNever leave the vehicle unattended (however briefly) with the keys in/on the vehicle;

lNever leave the vehicle unlocked, or with an open window, whilst unattended.

Motorists are advised to contact their broker if they need more information on the clauses that are in their policy.