Match Report and Scorers

Winterton 6-1 Maltby
NCELP 26.04.08

Winterton were back to near full strength for their last home game of what has been a superb season. And finally signs of spring appearing as short sleeves replaced hats and scarves for the first time this year.

With nothing to play for, both sides could have sat back on a typical end of season jolly, but it wasn’t the case as both teams battled for early supremacy. Winterton, with Clarke and Watson providing width started strongest, and it was a combination of the pair that opened the scoring. Clarke crossed looking for Holt but a flick on found Dave Watson infield; he took a touch before neatly chipping the oncoming keeper. 1-0 10mins.

Three minutes later and Rangers doubled the lead. A free kick deep on the left was launched to the far post where Matt Plant headed into the path of Andy Holt who tapped home from close. 2-0 13mins.

Rangers were now dominant, encamped in the Maltby half, winning a string of corners that Phil Jackson peppered the six yard box with.

The pressure bore fruit on 28mins. Rob Northen’s run across the face drew the defence; he laid off to Watson who crossed in to where Danny Clarke tapped home. 3-0

Maltby grabbed one back from a free kick just past the half hour. A free kick into the box looked to be keeper Mark Wilberforce’s only for Daniel Reilly to jump into him and nick the ball into the net, it looked a foul but the ref. gave it. 3-1

Half time 3-1.

Lee Mohammed replaced Dave Watson at the break. The second half started a little more sedately than the first, Rangers still dominant but the tempo had dropped somewhat. On 69mins. Rangers made a double substitution, Pete Daniel showing a sentimental side not seen before by giving everyone a game on the day the League trophy was going to be presented.

Into the last 20minutes and Rangers stepped up a gear. A free kick into the box received the Plant treatment at the far post, as he again headed back across the face, to where Rob Northen forced a save from the Maltby keeper, only for Andy Holt to tap home his second. Maltby thought Northen was offside for his part in the goal but it stood. 4-1 73mins.

Two minutes later and Rangers passed the ball through the Maltby midfield, before feeding Northen in on the right who squared perfectly for Andy Holt to tap home his third. 5-1 75mins.

At  the end of a devastating six minutes of attacking football, Lee Mohammed was picked out by Steve Robinson but as he stepped into the box he was bundled over and Rob Northen stepped up to fire home his 41st goal of the season. 6-1 77mins.

Andy Holt could have made it seven when a good Haigh through ball saw Northen again pick out Holt but his header flew just over. It was quickly followed by Maltby’s best chance when Reilly curled a pinpoint shot inches past the far post.

Brodsworth MW 1-4 Winterton R
NCELP 12.04.08

Winterton injury worries eased when both Rob Northen and Lee Mohammed shook off illness to make the starting eleven, Captain Steve Robinson also returned after suspension. Pete Daniels again having to shuffle his pack, Mohammed started as a makeshift full back and assistant coach Mark Brady drafted in on the left of midfield.

You wouldn’t believe it as Rangers burst forward from the whistle. Both Holt and Northen burst through the defence on 2mins on the chase of a through ball only for a dubious flag to pull them back.

A minute later and a channel ball was chased down by Northen who cut in and forced a save out of keeper Jamie Allen, only for Andy Holt to follow in and fire home from close range. 0-1 3mins.

Inside a minutes and Rangers were two up, a through ball found Andy Holt on an angled run, he proved too strong for one defender and cut inside another before firing home his second of the game.0-2 4mins.

Winterton couldn’t have wished for a better start as they totally dominated the first twenty minutes. On 9mins, a Rangers corner on the left made its was to the far post where Rob Northen couldn’t quite get the ball from out of his feet with his back to goal after his first shot had been blocked, and the keeper smothered.

To the quarter hour mark and Northen nicked in front of a full back and looked clean through but the referee awarded a free kick against Rangers leading scorer for the slightest of contact. Then two minutes later and a ball pumped into the box saw Northen clearly jumped into the in the box and a clear penalty was turned away by the referee.

The pace couldn’t continue and the game settled down, but with Rangers still in control they looked to play the ball around but in truth started to pick out one pass too many and it gave Brodsworth the chance to come back into it a bit.

On 33mins. Dave Ricardo appeared on the end of a free kick into the six yard box but the keeper made a brave save at his feet.

Brodsworth had their best spell straight after. A shot from 20 yards flew well over before they had a couple of runs at the box that saw the Rangers defence backing off before Plant had to concede a corner. (34 to 37mins)

On 41 mins. Northen was nearly gifted a freebie when a back pass bobbled over the keepers foot as he attempted to clear up field, but he recovered well to just beat him to the ball to clear.

Just before the break, Matt plant clearly fouled a Brodsworth player but the ref played advantage, Rangers immediately took possession and Northen raced goal wards before squaring to Plant who had continued his run, he stepped over it for Holt to shoot, but again keeper Allen was quick off the mark to smother the ball.

Then with the final kick of the game the ref blew for half time  just as Holt swung to fire goal wards (in a near replica of last weeks last minute disallowed goal at Nostell)

HALF TIME 0-2

Two minutes into the second half and Andy Holt grabbed his hat trick. A free kick on the right was lofted in; the keeper came out and collided with his defender. The ball dropped to Holt who still had to lift the ball over a group of players and into the back of the net. 0-3 47mins.

Holt was almost unstoppable, Ricardo and Nathan Would linked to feed Holt into the box but he fired into the side netting. 51mins.

Five minutes later and Brodsworth grabbed one back. Mohammed in his unfamiliar left back role was drawn into a foul on the edge of the box, and was booked seconds later when the Brodsworth striker deliberately kicked the ball at him to draw the booking.

When the kick was taken, 'Broddy' captain Shaun Gorman curled the ball into the top near post. 1-3.

Rangers pushed on. Both Mohammed and Northen where starting to tire as their week of illness crept up on them.

But on 59mins Northen had enough in the tank to latch onto a short back header, and try an audacious strike unto the keeper’s top left corner with the keeper expecting a shot across goal. A strong arm conceded a corner. Then on 66mns Matt Plant headed a corner just the wrong side of the post 66mins. Holt was stopped on the edge of the box by a brilliant tackle as he set himself. 69mins.

On 77mins and Ben Simpson showed he was still on his toes as a Brodsworth shot had to be tipped over.

Into the last ten minutes, and Rangers were closing in on their first trophy in 18 years.

Danny Clarke opened his legs and made a mazy run across field before forcing the keeper into a full stretch save to concede a corner. The ball in from the right was flicked on at the near post by Archer to the far where Dave Ricardo appeared to tap home. 1-4 86mins.

The day ended to the sound of the players popping corks and singing in the dressing room as the Rangers faithful exchanged handshakes and silly grins at the side of the pitch.

Nostell 2-1 Winterton 05.04.08

Winterton travelled to 7th placed Nostell without influential captain Steve Robinson and leading scorer Rob Northen, and with Phil Jackson still on the injury list and Dave Watson suspended, Pete Daniels’ could only pick from the bare bones of the Rangers squad.

Adam Deakin returned from injury for his first start in weeks, and Judd Colley and Lee Mohammed stepped of their subs bench for starts against the near Wakefield opposition.

A strong icy wind blowing angularly across the pitch gave Nostell an advantage in the first half as the supporters looked for somewhere to stand that didn’t blow the heads off their beer.

An even start to the game saw Deakin have the first effort on goal as the ball was laid back to him but his shot curled away from goal. 4mins. Two minutes later and Deakin’s bad luck with injury struck again when he landed heavily, dislocating his shoulder in the process.

On 10mins. Mohammed was held down around 20 yards out, Nathan Would struck the free kick that had to be palmed away.  Nostell with a quick, mobile pair up front were trying to pick out the channel ball down the flanks, and possibly edging territorial advantage in the process. Ranger’s main threat was Andy Holt down the centre.

Deakin, who had played on was replaced by John Haigh, and a reshuffle that brought Colley into central midfield on 13mins. Nostell started to press more directly as Rangers lack of pace on the left was exploited.

Rangers went close on 21mins when a Holt challenge on the keeper saw the ball fall to Would but he shot wide. Nostell had their best chance so far on 26mins. A corner somehow made its way unmolested right across the six yard box; the ball back in was headed goal wards where Ben Simpson tipped over as the assistants flag made it all pointless.

Winterton should have gone ahead three minutes later as the Nostell defence made heavy weather of clearing a throw deep in their half. The throw back to the keeper was half cleared into the centre, the ball was laid back again but Lee Mohammed chased it down and got a block in. the ball fell to Holt who laid back to Greg Archer who weakly side footed well over with the keeper out of position.

Rangers continued in what was a good spell for the visitors. Would did well centrally, winning a strong tackle before feeding into Holt whose ball out to Clarke on the left had him one on one with the full back. Clarke progressed to the edge before cutting inside and firing just the wrong side of the post.33mins.

It was end to end stuff but the feeling was Rangers looked most likely to make the breakthrough. A superb cross from the right was inches too high for both Clarke and Mohammed as the attacked the goal mouth. 37mins.

But, it was Nostell that grabbed the lead three minutes later. A long ball found Rangers defence a little hesitant, Plant was over run by Nostell's David Nicholas and Simpson misjudged his options coming out to the edge of his box which allowed Nicholas the opportunity to lob in. 1-0 40mins.

Nostell then pressed on a stunned Rangers and should have double their lead. A string of great chances, on after the other, Haigh had to block away a certain goal, the ball broke square where from close in, and a shot was fired straight at Simpson who stood up well to save with his chest. Rangers were pleased when the whistle went for half time.

SECOND HALF

Winterton came out determined and Mohammed set up Archer but his shot was deflected into the keeper’s arms. 46mins.

On 50mins. Nostell doubled their lead. The ball fell between Nostell’s Oli Johnson and Jon Haigh, Haigh committed himself to the tackle but was well beaten to the ball, Johnson raced down the left and goal wards, Plant came across but his challenge allowed Johnson to get into the box where Simpson seemed hesitant to come and Johnson placed the ball in the corner. 2-1 50mins.

Winterton reacted positively and started to push Nostell back. Ricardo shot wide from a Would cross on 57mins. Holt did well to get to the by-line on 59mins but as his cross flashed across the face, no-one had managed to catch up.

Then on 62mins. Winterton grabbed one back with a wonder goal from man of the match Andy Holt, receiving the ball 25 yards out he turned and fired in a bullet of a dipping shot that nestled in the top corner over the flying keeper. Gerrard would have been proud.

Three minutes later and with Rangers still pressing, a free kick was awarded that Clarke curled around the wall but unfortunately inches past the far post. On 74mins a corner saw the keeper stretching to push away the ball, turned back in Ricardo had a header tipped over as Winterton tried to get back level.

Nostell were playing on the break and a few times it was only timely tackles that stopped them breaking through.

On 83mins. a Haigh cross to the far caught Clarke by surprise as the leaping centre half missed the ball. Clarke’s rushed shot fluttered the side netting.

It was nearly game over in 88mins. When Nostell broke away, a rasping shot was brilliantly saved by Simpson but the ball fell to sub Francis Johnson who with Simpson scrambling to his feet fired madly high over the bar with the goal at his mercy from close in.

Into injury time and Rangers pushing on, defender Matt Plant sent forward. As the ref checked his watch Rangers filled the box. The Nostell bench were screaming at him to blow up, questioning how much time he was going to play. He allowed a throw to taken, and as the ball was crossed into the box he blew for full time as Holt headed into the top corner. The Rangers players were furious, but the goal didn’t stand.

Full Time 2-1

Winterton 1-0 Sth. Normanton

With strong winds gusting from the South West from Scunthorpe to the Humber Bridge, the prospect of pretty football at West Street was fairly low. Pete Daniel named a side without the width of Dave Watson and Lee Mohammed against third from bottom Sth. Normanton, Judd Colley returned to central midfield and Captain Steve Robinson came back in after suspension.

Rangers started with the wind behind them, and soon settled into the Sth Normanton half. A free –kick on 8mins. on the right fired into the box was just a fraction high for Matt plant in what was the first real chance of the game. As both sides scrabbled for a touch of quality Rangers should have taken the lead. On 21mins. Rob Northen chased a through ball into the box; he cut back and squared the ball across the face to Danny Clarke whose first time shot was saved by keeper Whalin, the shot was rising and a good height for the keeper, with more control and kept low Rangers would have been in front.

Normanton didn’t disturb the Winterton box until just before the half hour. A ball into the box found them two on two but as they scrambled for the ball Matt Plant took control and cleared the ball away from the toe of a stretching striker.

Rangers created a few Half chances along the way, Holt fired well over from a Northen pass and Archer tried one from range that was straight at the keeper. Then on 38mins and Rob Northen was sent racing into the box from a flick on from Holt, but as the Rangers faithful braced themselves for the opening goal, he fired into the side netting.

A scrappy first half of little quality, but still only Winterton pressing forward. HT 0-0

Winterton made a change after the interval; Phil Jackson had injured his ankle during the last ten minutes of the first half and was replaced by Jon Haigh.

Winterton started brightly, Clarke fired the ball across the face on 50 mins. with Would just a fraction too late at the far post. Six minutes later and a long throw into the box saw Plant get a flick on, the ball fell between Archer and Northen before bouncing away, Archer’s overhead kick brought it back into the box but it was cleared.

Rangers were beginning to wonder if there was goal in it for them. Sth. Normanton’s Santos Farrell started to come into the game. On 57 mins. Farrell made a good run on the left getting into the box but Rangers defence held firm with a decisive interception. Onto 61mins. and Archer and Clarke linked well to feed Holt into the box, but a firm challenge saw off the danger, Holt was unhappy with the challenge but neither side gained much from the erratic referee.

More Rangers pressure, another long throw found Plant who headed back to Archer but his shot lacked the power to beat Whalin at the foot of his post. 62mins. Cont…….

As the wind continued to affect the game it looked more and more like one goal would win it, and Normanton were getting further forward than at any other time in the game.

On 63 mins. and Rangers had their hearts in their mouths as Farrell raced through only for the offside flag to pull him back.

65mins. and two pieces of real quality grabbed the lead for Rangers. Nathan Would made ground on the right, stopped drawing the full back before a step and perfect cross found Rob Northen in the six yard box, he stepped away from goal and looped his header over the keeper and under the bar 1-0. for his 38th goal of the season.

Three minutes later and Danny Clarke had another great chance when he flashed his chance across the face when aiming to the far post only to see his shot deflected wide, and the referee gave a goal kick.

On 69mins. and S. Normanton were looking to grab one back, a long throw from the left was laid back but the shot went well wide.
 Rangers continued to dominate play with Normanton breaking. Again Winterton created two half chances around 75 mins. crosses flashed across the face just on front of both Would and holt as the keeper scrambled.

Sth. Normanton made a couple of changes, and started pressing Rangers flanks; Daniels shuffled his defence to try to stem the increased pressure from the visitors. On 85mins and Ben Simpson had to block away a shot from close in and then Haigh had to throw himself in front of a second. Two minutes later and Farrell Made a super cross field pass that fell to sub Buick but he fired well wide under pressure from makeshift full back Robinson.

It was a spell of sustained pressure for the visitors and the Winterton defence looked ragged for a while. But committed challenges and good pressure from them kept Normanton to shots from the edge and looped crosses that were dealt with.

Deep into injury time and Rob Northen nearly doubled the lead when Clarke fed him just inside the box but his rising shot was well saved one handed by Ross Whalin.

Parkgate 0-3 Winterton 16.02.08 NCELP

Winterton had to shrug off the disappointment of going out of the Presidents Cup in midweek, by visiting last seasons arch nemesis Parkgate and ex striker Steve ward. Pete Daniel had strengthened the squad in midweek with the signing of Tom Nicholson from Barton and loan signing Chad Colley from stocksbridge.

Parkgate opened the game very strongly with a high tempo in the first 20mins. Rangers looked a little edgy as the Rotherham outfit pushed hard to find an opening. Ward who has done well since leaving West Street was an obvious threat as he dropped off the back four to bring the midfield into play. Rangers however, soaked up the initial pressure well, restricting the home side to shots from the edge or getting bodies to any dangerous position.

Winterton’s early forays forward were a little sporadic as Mohammed and Northen worked to forge a partnership, without making the same sort of runs. In fact the first real shot on target didn’t appear until the 27min. A ball into a central Mohammed was laid off to Northen who shimmied out before cutting in, beating two defenders and curling a shot that looked destined for the top far corner before keeper Darren Bonnington at full stretch tipped it around the post. The ball in from the corner was headed over by Matt Plant from a central position a minute later.

Rangers began to settle, playing the ball around on the great surface at Green Lane. Colley starting to dictate the play from a central position.  On 33mins. and Rangers took the lead. A ball into Northen saw the Rangers leading scorer take a good touch before turning his marker, riding a clumsy challenge before lifting a ball over a defender and into the path of Lee Mohammed who raced in for the ball, beating the keeper to it and lobbing it over him and into the net. 0-1. The young striker taking his chance superbly after being given the nod for the injured Andy Holt.

Four minutes later and Rangers had the ball in the net for a second time. A free kick into the box saw Plant challenge the keeper, the ball fell loose and back to Plant who fired home, only for the linesman to flag offside. An astonishing error as there was players on the goal line.

The hard working Parkgate nearly equalised on 40mins. when a good ball to the far from the left but it was inches too far for the number seven, Taylor. Rangers went straight down the other end and with Northen and Mohammed chasing everything down put pressure on the keeper when clearing. Mohammed and Keeper Bonnington collided and the big keeper went down clutching his knee. A long delay ensued for treatment, but he continued but limping badly and in obvious pain.

Into injury time and Jackson fed a Northen run to the left. He found himself one on one with the full back only yards from the by-line but he jinxed in and out enough to draw the defender into tripping him up. Penalty. Northen stepped up against the hobbling Bonnington and placed the ball towards the bottom corner, only for the keeper to somehow fly across the goal to save before being helped to his feet. Amazing.

Half time 0-1

A steady start to the second half saw both Deakin and Clarke attempt to test the heavily strapped Bonnington but the shots were well over.

On 52mins. parkgate took a quick free-kick into Ward in the box and as he jinxed in and out creating a shooting opportunity, Plant had to be quick get across to block away. Three minutes later and a Rangers free kick was headed over. Parkgate then finally had to take off the keeper, full back Wes Hill taking up the keeper’s jersey.

Winterton were becoming the dominant side, Chad Colley sitting centrally was orchestrating much of rangers forward play. On 58mins he fed Watson in the box who put in Northen but the striker took a second touch and was closed down in a good position. Northen again  was causing trouble , he cut in from the right riding a challenge, but chose a difficult shot where a square ball to Mohammed was open. 
Just past the hour and Parkgate won a free kick on the right, the ball in was just over the incoming striker and Ben Simpson collected cleanly. On 68mins a Jackson throw into Mohammed was flicked on to Northen whose flying volley flashed just over the bar.

On 74mins and Ward lay off well for a Parkgate shot but the indomitable Steve Robinson blocked away and did enough to force the second shot to go well over.

Rangers went straight down the other end where Watson who is improving with every game had a shot blocked from just inside the box. 75mins.

On 79mins. and another Jackson through ball fed into an angle Northen run, he cut in from the by line and fed Dave Watson at the near post who swivelled and fired into the far corner, for a great piece of skill. 0-2

Winterton continued to press, two shots from just inside the box was blocked away. At the other end Ward   again worked a shooting opportunity only for Plant again to close him out to concede a corner. Ward again fired close from the dead ball.

Into the last 5mins. and a free kick on the right was worked well to Colley who had ghosted onto the flank; he fired in from the by-line to Danny Clarke at the near post who cheekily back heeled inside the post through the stand in keepers legs. Final Score 0-3

Arnold T. 1-2 Winterton 26.1.8 NCELP

As the Weather affected footballing month of January came to an end, Winterton travelled to Nottingham and Arnold Town. Both sides without a game in a fortnight due to waterlogged pitches were looking forward to blowing off the cobwebs. Pete Daniel picked a side without the services of Nigel Croad (injured) Mark Whitehouse (Now with Unibond side Ossett Albion) and Nathan Would (On international duty with the England University side).

The pitch at Gedling road, looked in good condition from the sidelines but the players found it difficult underfoot, from the off.

Rangers started the brightest, Danny Clarke settling into his role on the right straight away, and feeding Rob Northen and Andy Holt in the opening minutes. The front pair looking very lively created a good chance on 11mins. Holt fed Northen in the box, but as the leading scorer prepared to shoot, Arnold Centre Back Mark O’Dea made a great tackle to clear the ball. Northen felt he deserved a penalty a minute later when he was bundled over in the box but the ref was close by and waved away the appeal.

Just past the quarter hour mark and Northen again was asking questions of the Arnold defence, Clarke fed him into the box on the right, but he hesitated on his cross to the oncoming Holt and the ball was blocked away. Rangers were completely dominant, Arnolds attempts based on long balls that the Winterton defence looked able to deal with. Rangers nearly grabbed the opening goal on 18mins. via route one. Ben Simpson launched a huge kick that sailed over the Arnold defence, Andy Holt following up got to it but the balls momentum gave the advantage to Arnold keeper who cleared off Andy Holts toe.

The game settled a little as the 20min. mark arrived, Rangers early pressure had needed a goal. Arnold started to come back into it. Steve Robinson got stretched covering for Phil Jackson who was struggling to find his legs, Robbo’s header away fell to Mitchell who shot well wide, but it was a warning. 23mins.

Two minutes later and Rangers again had a great chance. Lee Mohammed in his new left midfield role fed the overlapping Jackson who rode a lunging challenge before firing a superb curling cross onto the penalty spot where the lunging Rob Northen just couldn’t direct the ball past the keeper. 25mins. Arnold responded with a long range effort that Simpson had to tip over a minute later.

On 26mins. Arnold grabbed the lead. Rangers were pressing on; Mohammed had drifted into a central position. Deakin hesitated struggling for an out ball was caught in possession; Arnold broke down the right before firing in a good break away goal. 1-0

Rob Northen still plugging away had another chance on 31mins. A free kick into the box had Matt Plant head into the centre where Northen swivel and shot went well over in what was a difficult chance.

From there Arnold had a good spell of pressure. On 36mins. A shot from the edge took a deflection and Simpson reacted well to collect the ball. A minute later and Jackson was again found wanting on the Rangers left, but the player who cut in fired comfortably straight at Simmo. In fact with both Rangers full backs looking out of sorts, both Matt Plant and Steve Robinson were being pulled out of the centre and some of the defending was stretched to say the least. But having said that, most of the Arnold shots were coming from outside the box. Judd Colley and especially Steve Underwood were working extremely hard in central midfield.

Probably the best of their chance came on 45mins when a cross-goal shot saw Simpson spill at full stretch but both him and Jackson shut out the oncoming striker. HALF TIME 1-0.

Arnold kept up their tempo straight after the break, but Rangers were the first to worry a keeper. Holt steam- rollering into the box holding off a challenge before forcing the keeper into a save, Northen following then forced a second before the ball was cleared away. 53mins.

Two minutes later and Arnold had the ball in the back of the net. Another break down the right was stopped illegally. The free kick in was flicked on, before a shot from close was superbly pushed onto the bar by Ben Simpson, an incoming striker then fired home from close only for the flag to rule it out.

The Winterton faithful started to think it was going to be one of those games, Rangers seemed very narrow, both Clarke and Mohammed instinctively coming in from wide.

On 67mins Rangers got the break they deserved. Lee Mohammed’s strong header sent Rob Northen in behind the defence and into the box. The impressive Mark O’Dea was pulling his shirt and the ref pulled the play back pointing to just outside the box. The Winterton players were incensed, asking him to talk to the linesman who had originally put his flag across his chest, he went across and the penalty was rightly awarded. O’Dea was shown a straight red card as the last man, and Rob Northen fired his penalty high into the roof of the net. 1-1. it was a double boost for Rangers as O’Dea had held the Arnold defence well against the early pressure.

Into the last ten minutes, and Winterton were pushing on. Holt again forced his way into the box but scooped his shot over from close in. 80mins. A minute later and Holt again nearly capped his excellent performance with a winner but shot straight at the keeper. 81mins.

Into injury time and Danny Clarke cut inside before feeding into the path of Holt who again proved too strong, driving into the box before cutting in and passing square to Rob Northen, the ball was behind him but the Rangers leading scorer controlled, spun  and calmly fired home from six yards to give Rangers a battling victory. 1-2 90+2mins.

Winterton 2-2 Selby Town 12.01.08 NCELP

This was a big game for Winterton, first playing fifth and a Selby side considered the best side we have played this season. Pete Daniel made a couple of changes to the side that won at Maltby in midweek. Ricardo and Archer replaced Deakin and Colley and Andy Holt returned to the squad.

It was obvious from the start that both sides were up for the challenge; Rangers were first to shoot on target with a long range effort from Danny Clarke that Selby keeper Mitchell held comfortably. Selby looking comfortable on the ball then picked up a spell of early pressure. Rangers keeper Ben Simpson looked a little edgy early on, coming to collect a ball in the box had it nicked off him only for Matt Plant to tidy up on 7mins.

Winterton forged out a good chance on 18mins. when a break down the right was transferred out to Whitehouse on the left where he won a throw which he took quickly to Jackson, the ball was then pinged to Clarke on the edge of the box on the right but he pulled his shot across the face. Two minutes later and Clarke had an even better chance. Rangers broke down a Selby attack breaking quickly, Rob Northen sent Whitehouse on a run down the left, his cross to the near post was flicked on by Holt to the far where a stretching Clarke just opened his body too much and directed the ball the wrong side of the post. 20mins.

It seemed Winterton were starting to get on top a little. A Selby attack and cross into the box looked to have been dealt with as Ricardo on the edge of the six yard box calmly laid the ball back to Simpson who inexplicably dived on the ball instead of clearing. The free kick only 7-yards out was touched off to Selby leading scorer Christian Fox who fired through the throng of Rangers defenders on the line and in 0-1. 24mins.

Rangers looked stunned, Selby had the ball in the net two minutes later through Bruno Holden but the flag had been up from the through ball and Rangers had got away with it.

Mark Whitehouse then nearly grabbed an equaliser, but shot wide on 28mins. The half hour nearly gave the pressing Selby outfit a second. A ball picked up around the halfway mark was carried forward as the Rangers midfield parted like the red sea before Moses. At the edge of the box a great ball to Sadler coming into the box from the right was rifled against the bar with Rangers stretched. 30mins.

The game turned again with Winterton breaking quickly, Whitehouse again the outlet on the left who fed Rob Northen inside the box who turned quickly only to be tripped by the defender going to ground. Penalty. Northen stepped up to lift the ball over Mitchell who had guessed the right way. 1-1 31mins.

Four minutes later and a strong Andy Holt run made ground towards the Selby box before he laid back to Steve Underwood whose low shot was straight at the keeper.

Into the last five and Selby’s Fox fired low towards Simpson’s bottom right only for Ben to tip away at full stretch to the take the game in all square at the break. HALF TIME 1-1

Into the second half and Winterton where quick off the blocks, Northen shot straight down the throat of Mitchell inside 20 seconds of the restart. Five minutes later and the impressive Phil Jackson linked with Whitehouse to fire in a low cross that just beat the diving Rob Northen and saw the ball flash across the face 49mins. Rangers continued to press, Holt was impeded as he tried to run into the box (a question of whether it was a last man tackle that should have seen red) the dead ball in was smothered by the keeper with Ricardo closing in.

Rangers had stepped it up and were pressing hard. Whitehouse cut inside into the box and fired low only for Mitchell to again save well, this time with his leg. 53mins.

Jackson, growing in confidence again had a run at the box before feeding square to Underwood whose shot was pushed around the post in another good save from Mitchell. 58mins.
Just past the hour and Jackson fed into the feet of Holt just inside the Selby half and kept going, Holt flicked on into his path. Jackson fired low and hard across, Northen just missed his touch at the near post and ball agonisingly flashed right across the face, Clarke retrieved on the right and lifted his cross to the far where a defender just got his header in before the advancing Holt connected. 63mins.

Selby, always a threat won a free kick 22 yards out for what seemed an innocuous tackle. The dead ball in curled the wrong side of the near post. If not in, then a warning of the Selby threat. 66mins.

Rangers were looking to get the break, when Selby grabbed their second. A ball forward looked as though Steve Robinson would clear but he slipped as he prepared to head away and Selby’s Bruno Holden was at had to pick up the ball and run into the box and despatch the ball into the far corner. 1-2 Unlucky and against the run of play.

The lead lasted 5 minutes. Rangers pushed forward down the left into Whitehouse, he laid the ball back into Phil Jackson, who cut inside a defender and curled a superb strike into the top left hand corner over the stranded Mitchell. 2-2 78mins

Into the last ten minutes. Selby had a couple of strikes from the edge of the box that Simpson had well covered. On 84mins Jackson overlapping Whitehouse produced a sublime turn to bamboozle the full back before delivering a pinpoint cross to Holt in the box who chose accuracy ahead of power from six yards out and the keeper smothered it. A great chance gone begging.

Two minutes later and Selby burst through the Rangers defence and into the box only for Robinson to stay strong as the player entered the box to clear as the striker hit the floor to cries for a penalty for the noisy Selby faithful.

Rob Northen had a couple of half chances as the game came to a close.

A really entertaining game with both sides committed to attacking positive football. Rangers dominated the second half and but for a bit of misfortune would have grabbed a great win. But a draw and a season total of four points against pre-season favourites for the title isn’t a bad return.

Winterton 6-0 Hallam 29.12.07 NCELP

The vagaries of fixture planning saw Winterton play Hallam two Saturdays in a row. Last weekend s game in Sheffield saw Rangers win 3-0. Four changes from the Boxing Day game in between saw Adam Deakin return to full back, Steve Underwood in midfield and Rob Northen return up front. Matt Plant came back in at centre back after missing two games to partner Judd Colley.

It was clear from the off that Winterton wanted to run off their Christmas excess, inside 3mins. Rangers were pressing inside the Hallam box, Andy Holt had a shot blocked on the line from a shot from close in. Then a string of corners kept the pressure at the right end of the ground before a corner to the far post was put back across the face where Dave Ricardo slammed the ball into the roof of the net. 7mins. 1-0

It was 14mins before Hallam built enough steam to trouble the Rangers goal. Colley caught trying to win a ball when he needed to hold off released the visitors down the right the cross in was blocked for a corner before the ball in was fired wide from inside the box.

A minute later and Rangers showed some clinical football. Ben Simpson miscued his goal kick into the centre, the ball was passed back to him and he launched the ball deep into the Hallam box. Andy Holt climbed well with the keeper to nick the ball out to the right, Rob Northen, following in gained possession before cutting back and curling his shot into the far corner. 2-0 15mins

Hallam were still in the game and on 23mins a free kick into the far saw Phil Reynolds head goal wards only for Ben Simpson to claim comfortably. Seven minutes later and Hallam must wonder how they didn’t grab one back. Another break on the right produced a cross to the far post where Scott Bates appeared only to fire over from 5 yards with the goal at his mercy.

It was a good spell for the hard working visitors, Whitehouse lost possession and Hallam pushed on through to the right side where a ball into the box was dealt with by the back tracking Dave Ricardo with a well timed tackle in the box. 33mins.

Rangers worked a couple of half chances via Northen and Whitehouse but the game had settled into a bit of a rut until the last five minutes of the half. Winterton played a bit of keep ball, moving it around until Danny Clarke picked up the ball around the box and trying one from 22 yards that looked comfy for the Hallam keeper Scott Dinnigan, but as he bent to collect the ball he allowed it to slip through his arms and Legs and Rangers were 3-0 up 43mins. Then Rob Northen raced onto a through ball before firing in only for an offside to rule it out. HALF TIME 3-0

Winterton kept up the pressure in the second half. Andy Holt nearly grabbed a fourth on 58mins. with a run into the box on the right before cutting out and firing across the face, hitting the foot of the far post. Steve Underwood then fired across the face from a corner but it slipped the wrong side of the post on 66mins.

Greg archer replaced Steve Underwood.

On 69mins and Danny Clarke grabbed his second and Winterton’s fourth with a clinical finish across the face of the goal. 4-0

Pressure off and Winterton could ease off a little, Pete Daniel made two changes, Would and Mohammed replaced Whitehouse and Northen. Rangers were still causing problems. Matt Plant had two great chances to grab a goal, his first a shot from a corner was deflected wide his second a header just over soon after. 75mins.

Into the last ten minutes, Phil Jackson and Clarke worked the ball out of their half neatly before sending Lee Mohammed haring down the left, his cross was just in front of Holt but the ball was laid back to Archer who shot heading for the corner was deflected away with a desperate lunge. 81mins. a minute later and Hallam nearly got one back, a shot cum cross flashed across the face of Rangers goal where it was hoofed to safety by a defender on the far post.

The clock turned the 85th minute and Andy Holt grabbed a goal his performance deserved. He chased a through ball, showing his strength to hold off a challenge before firing low past the goalkeeper as he approached the six yard box. 5-0. Four minutes later and Mohammed raced down the left and found Holt in a central position, but his glancing header hit the bar.

Into the last minute, Mohammed again made a run down the left, the ball in came out to the right where it was played in to Greg Archer with his back to goal, he produced a bicycle kick that dropped over the keeper hit the underside of the bar, bounced on the line and into the net. 6-0 90mins. Final score 6-0.

Winterton 2-0 Lincoln MR 26.12.07 NCELP

Winterton’s promotion last season meant the return of the Boxing Day fixture for the first time since the nineties, and with it local rivals Lincoln Moorlands Railway. Both sides came into the game somewhat under strength. Rangers were almost unrecognisable. A back four of Haigh and Jackson at full back, Colley and Green in the centre was a combination who hadn’t played together before. And Deakin and Ricardo in central midfield were new to the Ranger’s faithful. Only Simpson in goal, and Holt and Northen up front remained in recognisable positions.

The game was only 18 seconds old when Lincoln flashed a shot across the face before Rangers had a chance to organise. Rangers responded with a Northen turn and shot from close to force a save out of Phil Mcgann, before that it was tit-for-tat half chances as the game settled. Lincoln then suffered the loss of Adam Gilbert through injury on 13mins.

Four minutes later and Rangers produced a touch of class. Nathan Would’s superb cross-field pass to Clarke who stretched the Lincoln defence before cutting back and dropping he ball onto Adam Deakin back on the right who half-volleyed the ball into the net from 22yards. 1-0 17mins

Into twenty minutes and Lincoln twice created shooting chances. The industrious Craig Bridge forced a Ben Simpson save from a shot from the edge of the box on 23mins. And King had a half chance after Lincoln exposed the right flank.

Just past the half hour and a through ball for Andy Holt to chase what looked a great opportunity but his low drive squirmed under the body of the keeper only to stick to a trailing arm. 36mins. Two minutes later and Lincoln won a corner which was initially cleared but the ball back into the far post saw Jacko hold his line well as the attacker backed over him; one or two shouts for a penalty were comfortably waved away.

Then as the half closed a Dave Ricardo cross field pass was intercepted by Curtis and as Billy green closed he shot the wrong side of the far post. A great chance. Ricardo nearly made amends in injury time when he cut into the box after a good piece of Winterton keep-ball created his shooting opportunity which was blocked away. HALF-TIME 1-0

Lincoln came out fighting for the second half and dominated the first ten minutes except for a great Rob Northen chance. A cross from Phil Jackson to the near post was inches too high for the Winterton leading scorer who was unmarked. 49mins.

On 58mins and Lincoln should have drawn level. A shot from the edge of the box deflected into the path of a Lincoln striker central in the 18 yard box, but Simpson somehow spread well to save with his legs. A minute later and Jackson again making inroads down the left was fouled near the edge of the box. The free kick into the far post saw Holt jump and miss and Would volley wide from an impossible angle.

Rangers started to look a little ragged as Lincoln pressed on. A lunging Ricardo tackle gave away a free kick on the left; the ball across the face was fired in only for a Rangers body to deflect it away. Goal scorer Deakin then had a double chance to put Rangers further ahead. A cross from Clarke on the right came to Deaks on the edge of the six, but he could only header the ball up, he reacted quickest but fired his shot across the face. 64mins.

Two minutes later and the impressive Stuart King again forced a save out of Ben Simpson.

Lincoln should have equalised on 74min. Colley lost possession in a central position, the ball played out to the right was fired into the box where a Lincoln striker fired wide from a great position but was falling away from the ball as he hit it. Then again King tested the mettle of Simpson with a turn and shot from inside the box that the Rangers keeper was equal to. 75mins.

Heavy Lincoln pressure continued. On 77mins a quick throw gave Lincoln another shooting chance but they fired across the face, a minute later and a rasping drive from just outside the box rattled the top of the bar. Rangers had had to hang on.

Into the last ten minutes, and a ball into Andy Holts feet was guided into a Danny Clarke run into the box, he beat the first challenge before being clipped on the ankle. Penalty. Clarke stepped up to double the lead. 2-0 85mins.

The drama didn’t end there; Lincoln went straight down the other end won a penalty themselves after a poor challenge. Nick Robinson stepped up but Winterton Man of the match, Ben Simpson guessed right to make another save to add to his excellent performance. Final Score 2-0

Hallam 0-3 Winterton (NCELP)

Winterton went into the Christmas fixtures with a trip to mid-tabled Hallam for their first game in a fortnight after the icy conditions put paid to two recent home games. Pete Daniel gave full league debuts to full back Jonathan Haigh and midfield youngster Nathan Would in a new look right side. Nigel Croad also played his first game at Centre back after a few outings at full back and leading scorer Rob Northen was unavailable due to suspension.

Heavy rain prior to kick off meant for a very wet surface on Hallam’s famous slope. An error strewn first ten minutes as both sides battled to get to grips with the conditions eschewed. Hallam showing first, with a shot from the edge that was comfortable for Ben Simpson in the Rangers goal on 6mins.

Rangers started to make inroads into the Hallam half although both Holt and Clarke were heavily chaperoned. On 13mins Whitehouse won a free kick close to the by-line, the first ball in was poorly punched away and eventually to the feet of Danny Clarke whose low dive went the wrong side of the keeper’s right post in Rangers first good chance on goal.

Just before the twenty minute mark Hallam’s Glyn Cotton, tried a shot from 25 yards out that took a deflection off Steve Underwood’s studs, Simpson spread to his left to turn it round the post for a corner. Rangers made a quick break soon after down the right, the ball across to the right fell to Nathan Would but he snatched at his cross when a shot would have been better.

On 22 mins Hallam pushed forward to Rangers box, Winterton seemed to chance after chance to clear the ball, but didn’t, the ball fell to Hallam’s Richard Carrington who flashed a cross across the face of goal but there no-one there to get the decisive touch.

Two minutes later and Rangers made the breakthrough. Mark Whitehouse made ground down the right before firing low towards goal, Danny Clarke coming in from the right with centre back Brownrigg in close behind got to the ball inside the six yard box and a touch on the ball took Rangers into the lead, Clarke claiming the spoils. 0-1 24mins.

Hallam responded well, Carrington again the threat with a low shot to the far post that produced a superb save from Ben Simpson to turn the ball around the post.26mins. Then unfortunately lost Centre back Andy Brownrigg with what looked to be a tightening around the thigh. He was replaced by Billy Rowley.

The half hour was the turning point of the game. Rangers looked the most dominant and won a string of corners. The first cleared away, the second to the far post saw Croad hit the bar with a header that fell to Clarke whose shot barrelled off a defender and over the bar, the third corner in again fell to Danny Clarke who fired in his and Rangers second. 0-2 29mins.

Three minutes later and Hallam’s big striker Will Tomlinson decided to challenge a comfortable catch for Simpson with his knee up, the referee booked him but as he walked away words were exchanged between him and the Rangers defence and he chose to elbow Nigel Croad in clear view of the assistant Referee. The referee showed him a straight red after a brief chat with his assistant.

Rangers closed out the half with two chances. A deep cross from Would into the box saw Clarke backing off his marker, his attempted header was easy for the keeper when he probably had time to bring the ball down 41mins. Then on the stroke of half time Holt rounded his marker but from a tight angle his shot was blocked out to Whitehouse who had his shot saved. HALF TIME 0-2

Three minutes into the second half and the game was effectively over. Whitehouse terrorised Rowley on the left and won a free kick. The ball in was perfect for the run of Andy Holt whose precision header gave Rangers a 0-3 lead. 48mins.

Hallam were under pressure and one or two stepped up the work-rate but a few tackles were over zealous and yellow cards followed and with it Hallam fell away. Rangers made some changes and controlled the game. Making ground down both flanks and controlling the ball. Chances were selective rather than rampant.

Holt headed just wide from a Whitehouse cross on 54mins. Whitehouse again rounded Rowley and fired across the face where sub Adam Deakin fired over at full stretch, it should have been four. 64mins. Four minutes later and dynamic Steve Underwood closed down and won possession before sending Holt through, the striker fired past the advancing keeper only for his shot to hit the foot of the post. 68mins.

As the cold slowly seeped into the bones Rangers saved energy for their Boxing Day home game against local rivals Lincoln Moorlands passing the ball around and finally seeing out the game. Final score 0-3

Winterton 2-1 Pickering T (FA Vase)

Heavy rain and dark skies provided the background for this all Northen Counties East tie between table topping Winterton Rangers and fourth placed Pickering Town. The previous encounter between the sides had seen a goalless draw on the opening day.

Winterton started the brightest and had two great chances on 10 & 11 minutes. Danny Clarke cut in from the left to fire goal wards only for the Pickering keeper, Kevin Martin to save. A minute later and Martin made an even better save, Rob Northen had done well down the left to cross to Holt whose touch fell to Nathan Would, his first shot was blocked  then his second from the floor looked destined for the far corner only for the keeper to tip away a full stretch.

Winterton were dominating possession but struggling to find a final ball to create clear chances. Pickering were breaking but really not disturbing the Rangers box, until 35mins in when they finally hit the target only for Simpson to turn round his near post.

Just before the end of the half and Rangers created another half chance, Whitehouse from full back crossed into the near post, Northen couldn’t quite get to it and the ball broke to Nathan Would but he scuffed his shot straight at the keeper from close in. HALF TIME 0-0.

Pickering made a change straight after the break, but it was Winterton who made the breakthrough. Danny Clarke playing on the left made a run into the box and fed Rob Northen who fired Rangers into the lead. 55mins. 1-0

With the conditions it had looked for a long spell that a goal would probably win it, could Rangers hold on.

Pickering started to make some headway of their own and the game was evening out. Danny Clarke had a run at the box but fired well over from the edge (57min); Pickering went down the other end but fired into the side netting(60min). It was an attackers game, the ground underfoot made the defenders chances of reacting to someone running at them at pace difficult.

A minute later and Rob Northen was sent through only for his shot to be saved by the keepers legs, Then Steve Underwood had a rasping drive tipped over by Martin in the Pickering goal (63min)

Pickering then had a ten minute spell of dominance that should have found them an equaliser. On 68mins Steve Baxter found himself on the edge of the box, he cut inside the defender and fired towards the far post, only for the ball to hit a colleague following in and Simpson smothered the ball.

Three minutes later and Whitehouse was tackled on the edge of the Pickering box, they broke quickly racing towards the Rangers box, Steve Robinson initially made a good tackle but following up, Pickering regained possession feeding the ball into the box, two shots were blocked away by Matt Plant before a low drive from close looked in before Ben Simpson somehow managed to drop quickly to his left to palm away in a superb save. 71mins.

A batch of substitutions took the game into the last ten minutes. On 83mins Pickering created another great chance but as the ball fell to the striker in the box he clearly controlled with his arm and the chance had gone. The game was on a knife edge as the time ticked by, Rangers needed to run out the clock but some of the younger players still had goals and glory in their eyes when the corner flag would have been the sensible option.

Rangers won a corner, Danny Clarke fired in a wicked inswinger, the keeper came to the near post and under the it, the ball flew straight in and Rangers were 2-0 up. 89mins.

Game over? Not a bit of it. Pickering went straight down the other end down the right and crossed to the far post where  sub Liam Salt fired in from close in. 2-1 90mins

Into added time and what seemed an eternity but the referee finally blew the whistle and Rangers were into the last 32 and the national draw.

Winterton 5 - 0 Shirebrook T

Pete Daniels opened his Christmas advent calendar to find the return of Andy Holt and Rob Northen and Captain Steve Robinson after the midweek win at Barton, he also gave a debut to Nigel Croad, recently signed from Glasshoughton. The visitors, Shirebrook Town travelled up from Mansfield hoping to change their fortunes and move up from their 8th from bottom position.

A dull grey day was matched by a bit of a dull start, the game kicked off then plodded until the 6 min. Winterton won a corner on the left and Mark Whitehouse trotted across to take it. He set the ball then fired in a wicked in-swinger that flew straight inside the far post. 1-0. And Rangers were up and running. Two minutes later and they nearly doubled their lead. A cross from the right just evaded the run of Holt near the far post and a defender had to concede a corner. The ball back in had Northen flash a free header across he face.

Shirebrook then produced a chance themselves when Jamie Smith was sent through into the box but Ben Simpson was quick off his line and in a joust of high feet cleared the ball.10mins. Winterton raced down the other end and won a corner which was half cleared to Andy Catton who crossed into the box where Archer headed on to Northen who headed straight at the keeper.

On 17mins.  And Winterton controlled pressure created a neat teamwork of a goal, Jackson fed Holt who laid off to Clarke who released Whitehouse into the box, he drew the defenders before feeding into Rob Northen who happily tapped home into the gaping net. 2-0. Two minutes later and Whitehouse was again released down the left but he fired well over from the edge of the box with Holt screaming for a square ball.

Shirebrook stepped up to try and get back into the game, looking to release their pacey front two, but Rangers back four looked extremely solid. On 21mins. A Shirebrook attack down the right drew the defence across and a neat ball into striker Smiths feet looked good until Rangers new signing Nigel Croad calmly stepped across and won the ball and cleared. Four minutes later and the visitors again looked to break through but Plant managed to clear up field towards Northen who sent Whitehouse through but his shot deflected wide. A short corner was fed into Greg Archer who shot across the face.

Winterton’s dominance was compounded just before the half hour. Phil Jackson released the untouchable Mark Whitehouse who floated down the left and into the box before again sliding the ball into the path of Rob Northen who tapped home his second. 3-0 29mins.

It was all Rangers now. They won a free kick that Whitehouse whipped into the box; Northen fired goal wards only for keeper Gavin Saxby to save well. 32mins Two minutes later and Whity fed cross field to Catton who found Holt in the box whose shot was cleared away to Whitehouse who fired the ball back into Holt who headed what looked a certain goal as the keeper was going the wrong way but Saxby somehow managed to turn himself in midair to produce a superb reaction save to turn it round the post.

Three minutes later and Saxby’s heroics were undone by a piece of individual brilliance by Andy Catton who cut inside a defender before unleashing a superb dive that nestled inside the bottom far corner of the net. 4-0  37mins. Half time 4-0

Straight after the interval Rangers replaced the injured Croad with ex-Iron junior Adam Deakin. And Winterton continued to dominate, Archer shot over after Holt fed him on the edge of the box straight from the kick off. It had the feeling of controlled dominance; Winterton didn’t pile forward but were controlling play. Daniel, made another change Rob Northen was given a break for Lee Mohammed to replace him.

On 59mins a ball to Holt was flicked on into the path of Whitehouse who raced into the box before firing across the face only for Saxby to save well with an outstretched foot. On 67 mins a corner to the near post was met by Lee Mohammed whose flicked header was cleared off the line. Archer was then replaced by Judd Colley

On 72mins the industrious Andy Holt flicked on towards Mohammed who showed good feet before firing low across the keeper but again the big keeper saved well. A minute later and the goal of the game.

Rangers looked for an opening down the left, checked back and tried the right before again moving the ball to the left. 17 passes culminating in a ball to Mark Whitehouse, who stepped up, cut inside two defenders before running straight at the goal from the angle of the box before firing low under the keeper. 5-0 73mins.

Rangers had a couple more good chances that Whitehouse and Holt curled over from good position in a completely one-sided second half. FINAL SCORE 5-0

Winterton 4- 2 Brodsworth NCELP

Rangers entertained the division’s bottom side after comfortable win midweek against Nostell. Rob Northen was unavailable again due to injury but Andy Holt returned to the side.

Winter was finally here as the teams took to the pitch, cold, drab and gloomy. The stumbled into life really, Winterton should have taken the lead on 6mins when Holt was strong to win the ball before feeding Underwood in the box but the ball didn’t settle at his feet and Brodsworth keeper Jamie Allen was quick off his line to smother. Two minutes later and Brodsworth had their first chance of the game when a ball into the box found Darren Fell who volleyed straight at Ben Simpson.

Then on 16mins Brodsworth took the lead. A speculative ball from the right into the Rangers box saw Matt Plant stretching to get his head to the ball, the ball looped off his head and over Ben Simpson who had been travelling across his goal before falling into the corner of the net 0-1 own goal.

The game was pretty woeful, Brodsworth were working very hard, but Winterton were all over the place, not able to find a telling pass or run to break with any great conviction. On 21mins Rangers won a free kick on the edge of the Brodsworth box. The ball in was perfect and Matt Plant climbed unmolested to head goal wards but the ball hit his shoulder first and so the ball flashed over. It was an instance of how Winterton were playing.

ButWinterton were working hard, Underwood, returning to the sort of form he showed last season laid the ball into Catton who fed the overlapping Deakin who fired in a great cross to the far that was headed behind for a corner.22mins. Then Whitehouse was released by Clarke playing up front, he faced into the box before shooting low towards the near post only for Allen to save with his right foot.25mins. A minute later and Plant had another chance to redeem himself when a ball in was fumbled by the keeper under pressure but Plants shot was cleared off the line.

The half hour saw Brodsworth nearly double their lead, when another free header in the box was headed well wide from a good position. Pete Daniels had seen enough, making a double substitution, Mohammed replaced Clarke and Ricardo came on for Deakin.

The warning wasn’t heeded as Brodsworth again fired the ball into the box where Simpson dropped the ball and Brodsworth new signing Scott Pickles tapped home. 0-2 38mins. It looked like one of those games.

Winterton did press on to the break but no real chances. It was a long walk to the dressing rooms. HALF TIME 0-2

The second half saw Rangers step up their work rate even if the usual quality wasn’t there. Dave Ricardo nearly grabbed one back on 49mins. A ball from the right found the unmarked sub at the near post but he headed well wide. On 61mins and Ricardo had another great chance, this time a quick free kick released Whitehouse down the right where he crossed to the far post where Ricardo in full flight headed over.

It didn’t look like it was going to come until Andy Holt picked up the ball in the Brodsworth box before turning and firing home after the ball had scraped around not being cleared. 1-2 64mins.
A minute later and rangers luck completely changed. Andy Catton had a run at the box before firing goal wards =, the ball took a deflection off a defenders leg and Rangers were level. 2-2 65mins.

Mark Whitehouse who had had a quiet game up to this point had a run familiar to the Winterton faithful; he raced into the box on the left only to fire wide from a great position. 68mins.

On 75mins. Andy Holt was released clean through with only the keeper to beat but the keeper stood up well and saved. It should have been the lead. Two minutes on and rangers forced another god save out of Jamie Allen when a free kick on the right was flicked on at the near post towards the far.

Four minutes later and a Rangers throw was taken quickly down the flank before feeding Holt in the box where he was brought down for a Penalty. The Brodsworth bench were furious as the throw had been taken 10 yards further down the pitch and the officials had let it go. Winterton didn’t have either recognised penalty takers on the pitch, so Young Phil Jackson stepped up to coolly fire home. 79mins. 3-2 It felt like we had got out of jail free.

To be fair to Brodsworth they continued to look for an equaliser, pounding the Rangers box for the last five minutes as Rangers defending stoutly were unable to clear the ball further than the edge of the box, until on the stoke of full time Mark Whitehouse was fed on the left where he ran strongly into the box before firing into the far corner. 90mins 4-2.

Winterton were not at their best against a hard working outfit and grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat. A good trait to have.

Bootle 3-4 Winterton - FA Vase rnd 2 17.11.07

Rangers made the long trip to Liverpool, under the shadow of Aintree Racecourse and against Northern Counties West 2nd division outfit Bootle.

Pete Daniels had all the usual suspects available until Judd Colley pulled up during the pre match warm-up. Rob Northen returned to action after standing on a nail at work last week.

Bootle are a club reborn and are in the process of developing the ground so much of the facilties were under construction, but the welcome was very warm and friendly.

It must have settled the lads down a little too much as straight from the kick-off Bootle were at the Rangers defence. Inside the first minute and they had a shot just off target from a cross to the far post hat was headed back across the edge of the box.

Winterton were all at sea, the ball seemed to desert any player in the opening few minutes. The defence seemed incapable of clearing their lines, and when pLant took two attempts to clear the ball, Bootle were back at them, a player running at the left side beat tow players before having two shots blocked away. It was still only 3minutes into the game.

Rangers didn’t really look at the Bootle box until the 15minute mark. A free kick crossed into the box was half cleared to Catton who fired wide, and then a throw to Whitehouse had the winger cross to the near post where Northen appeared but the ball was just too high and the keeper collected.

Then on 19mins Bootle broke forward, Steve Robinson slipped in front of Bootle leading scorer Andy Fowler, he took advantage and raced forward where Plant put him under pressure, he played the ball out to the right side of the box where there was a coming together of players, but the linesman and Referee gave a penalty. Bootle’s Carl Dale stepped up to give the home side the lead. 1-0

It had looked as if Rangers were getting into the game before the goal, and they were disappointed with the referee who continued to allow infringements that broke down Rangers play.

On 25minutes another promising attack was blocked around 30 yards out on the right, the ball into the box saw a defender glance a header that whipped just the wrong side of his own post for a corner. Three minutes later and again a Whitehouse run was checked with a deliberate obstruction that the referee allowed, the ball broke to Holt who was fouled from behind. The ball into the box again was met with a glancing header from a defender that flashed past the far post.

It was a good spell of Rangers pressure, but Bootle were very quick on the break. On the half hour Robinson was caught trying to step up on Fowler but the striker raced past and goalwards, Matt Plant got to him and under pressure the striker shot wide from the edge.

It was a cut and thrust cup tie, both sides looked to have goals in them. Whitehouse rounde the full back for the first time on 32mins and flash a low cross that flew across the face, the ball came back out to him and his cross to the near was met by Rob Northen whose first time shot was saved one handed by the keeper. 32mins.

Bootle had a chance two minutes later, a long ball had Fowler chase into the box but Ben Simpson was quick off his line to smother the ball at his feet. Then on 37mins bootle shot well wide from a good position after some tentative defending saw the ball hover around the box instead of being cleared.

Rangers finished the half well. A corner on 42mins was flicked to the far post where a Rob Northen shot towards the far post was cleared off the line, then a shot from the edge was blocked away. Then Holt and Northen linked well to create a chance for the impressive Andy Holt whose shot was saved.45min.                 HALF TIME 1-0

Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time did the trick. Rangers came out flying, almost instantly making ground down the flanks, and the midfield looked more in the game than in the first half  where they were somewhat overrun.

Ten minutes in and Winterton were right back in it. Another free kick from 30 yards was fired into the box, but this time Rob Northen timed it to perfection to head the ball past the keeper. 1-1 55mins.

Winterton were now into full flight and looking dangerous down both flanks and with Holt standing up to allsorts of pressure dominant in the middle.

On 61mins. Rangers went into a deserved lead. A corner from the left to the near post was met by Andy Holt who headed over the keeper, a defender on the line could only head into the roof of his own net. 1-2. Winterton continued to press but Bootle were still a major threat on the break. When Clarke was caught carrying the ball in midfield, Bootle broke quickly but Whitehouse had spotted the danger and tracked back to close out the danger.66mins.

Clarke made amends four minutes later, he picked up the ball centrally and drove at an angle to the left before feeding a Mark Whitehouse in full flight, he rounded the full back and into the box to the byline where he somehow managed to fire in via the foot of the far post from what seemed an impossible angle. 70mins. 1-3

Rangers needed to concentrate, but Bootle raced to the other end and fired a superb strike that beat Simpson all ends up but came back from the inside of the far post, it was a close call. 72mins. But a minute later a near replica attack saw an identical shot this time fly into the top corner. 2-3 73mins. Andy Fowler  It turned into a good spell for the home side, a free kick in to the box on 74mins. Simpson came to punch but the ball was flicked over him but fortunately past the post.

Into the last ten and Northen was replace by Lee Mohammed. And the Rangers were trying to run out the time. Then in injury time Andy Fowler tucked on the right flank picked up the ball, Whitehouse slid in but Fowler skipped past him and started running goalwards, he cut inside both Jackson and Robinson before firing low into the corner to take the game into extra time.3-3 90mins.

It was a major blow to The young Rangers side, and now it was a sign of character that was needed.

EXTRA TIME.

Underwood was replaced by Archer. Rangers started strongly, Mohammed did well drawing the two centre backs before releasing Holt in to the box but his shot was saved. 91mins. Then a Bootle breakaway saw a shot from the edge straight at the keeper. 92mins.

Then on 95mins. A Rangers free kick from around half-way was launched into the box, the keeper came out to challenge the ball against Plant, his flick found Andy Holt who headed home. 3-4.

Bootle responded but Rangers defended well, Deakin stood up well to break up one attack after reading a through ball 102mins. And a minute later, Bootle sub. Olsen shot over from the edge of the box.

Into the second half and a tense 15 minutes. Simpson palmed away across on 107 mins and Rangers had to defend a string of corners. And probably came closest to scoring on 113 mins. When a free kick into the box fell to Catton whose shot was saved.

The game closed out and Rangers took the spoils. In the end it was probably the right result, Even in the first half Rangers had some very good chances, and dominated the second half even though the Referee performance was as one sided as it was. Rangers now go into the draw on Monday for the next round on the 8th December.

Long Eaton Utd 2-0 Winterton

Pete Daniel side travelled down to Long Eaton confident after the comfortable win against Sth. Normanton in the week.

The first fifteen minutes of this game were a real non-event; the only spark was a through ball for Andy Holt to chase was pulled back for a foul against Rangers when he looked clean through. Long Eaton worked very hard and were physical in their outlook, looking to release the ball up front as soon as possible.

Rangers edged the first half with possession but lacked any quality to convert any chances created. Whitehouse and Catton were unusually ineffective on either side of the midfield and Clarke and Underwood didn’t ever get to grips with either the pitch or the strong challenges they had to contend with. Having said that Catton and Underwood fired just wide on 15 and 26mins respectively from good positions.

The best chance of the half came on 14 mins. Catton sent Northen through but the keeper came out quickly enough to pressure rangers leading scorer into a quick shot that a retreating defender cleared away. HALF TIME 0-0

Winterton started the second half with a better tempo. They worked possession across the field before Northen fed Catton on the right, his cross was inch perfect to the oncoming Andy Holt but he conspired to head across the face from 5 yards out around the post from a glorious position. 48mins. Long Eaton served notice of intent 2mins. Later Deakin was caught the wrong side of the player who crossed to   Steadman who fired goal wards only for Ben Simpson to tip over the bar.

In a lively spell, Rangers went up the other end with Catton doing well before firing across the face, it flashed in front of both Northen and Holt before being cleared.

Then on 52 mins The Rangers defence was found wanting, they didn’t deal with the ball on the right and Steadman followed in a header to fire home. 1-0

Rangers sparked into life, finally finding a spell of passing if not a killer one. Daniel’s made a change; Catton was replaced by Lee Mohammed as they went three up front. Holt drove down the left and crossed low to Northen, his shot was blocked, and a goalmouth scramble saw a couple more shots scrambled away before it was cleared. 75mins.

Into the last ten and Daniel’s made a double substitution Ricardo replacing Underwood and Archer coming on for Deakin.  Unfortunately a minute later and Rangers went further behind when a long ball was missed by Jackson on the left, LE sub Downie coming from across the face of goal wasn’t picked up by Robinson and he nicked in to fire home.2-0

Winterton pressed hard in the closing minutes but in truth it was far too late. On 86mins. A cross from a corner found Holt who headed against the bar from 5 yards. And three minutes later another cross from the right found Northen whose overhead kick had to be palmed away. FINAL SCORE 2-0

As when Rangers Lost at Lincoln, they didn’t deal with the long ball and physicality of the opposition. The starting midfield didn’t cope with the bobbling pitch and at times one or two were hiding.

Winterton 3-2 Liversedge

Winterton entered this top of the table league game with a skeleton crew of a squad; Mark Whitehouse joined the walking wounded having not recovered from the injury he sustained last weekend. The bench contained Lee Mohammed (20) and Nathan Would (18).  Rangers visitors, Liversedge arrived on the back of six straight wins that had lifted them to third in the table, Winterton would have to improve from the defeat last weekend at Lincoln to compete.

It couldn’t have started any better for Rangers. When a Winterton attack broke down the ball fell to Steve Robinson, who curled the ball into the path of Danny Clarke he cut inside the full-back before firing low across the face, it just needed a touch but a defender cleared for a corner. The ball into the box looked to have been collected by the keeper but he only paddled it to the far post where Greg Archer calmly side footed Rangers into the league. 1-0 3mins. 

Liversedge next went closest when a free kick from deep to the left, the ball was crossed into the far post where Clarke had to concede a corner. The ball in was headed back to the edge where a half volley went over.7mins.

A quarter of an hour in and Rangers worked an opening; Jackson fed Holt who flicked on for Northen to chase down the left where he returned the pass to Holt arriving in the box. Holt laid off the ball to Catton appearing from the right but the shot rose well over the bar, but the move showed plenty of promise. A minute later the towering Luke Sherman was allowed to move across the edge of the box before firing in a shot that Simpson collected above his head.

Unfortunately in the build up Steve Underwood sustained an injury and had to go off, to be replaced by Nathan Would. Clarke moved into the centre of midfield alongside Adam Deakin. Would slotted into the right side after initially starting on the left.

Rangers forced a couple of corners soon after, Liversedge keeper Lee Ashford looking a little suspect collecting the crosses, but Rangers didn’t press on enough. 20mins.

On 22mins. And Catton carried the ball away from a challenge before crossing to Would just off centre to the right whose first time drive whistled past the wrong side of the post.

Rangers were edging possession in a very tight game and looked most likely to score, but Liversedge created opportunities of their own, Nicky Boshell in the centre of midfield their lynchpin. On 32mins they broke well down the left, Plant went across to close the runner but the ball was played early to the far post but the lumbering Sherman couldn’t reach the ball at the far post.

Goal attempts came tit for tat after the half hour. Northen from a good position shot straight at the keeper on 33mins, Liversedge’s Damien Melven shot wide from the edge of the box on 35mins. Then when Rangers were under pressure on 38mins. Simpson collected well and cleared up field quickly, dropping the ball onto Holt’s head who flicked on to Northen who was clean through only for the flag to bring him back.

Then just before Half time Rangers had the visitors stretched, the ball broke to the right where Northen had to move away from goal to retrieve and chose to attempt a shot from a difficult angle when a touch and cross to holt at the far was the best option.
 HALF TIME 1-0

Within 25 seconds of the restart Rangers nearly doubled their lead when Would produced an inch perfect cross to the near post where Northern’s flicked header inched agonisingly the wrong side of the far post.

 But as the half settled it was Liversedge who started to control the game, they replaced Sherman with the more mobile Paul Smith and started to dominate the young Rangers midfield. Rangers seemed to be containing them, Matt Plant looking back to his best, before centre back Matt Sparkes, still up from a corner met a cross from the left to steer a superb header into the top corner and over the flying Ben Simpson. 1-1 56mins.

Rangers were playing on the break. Jackson did well on the right to release Catton down the left; he carried the ball forward before finding a Northen run into the box. His first shot was blocked by the keeper back to his feet and his second was turned away for a corner from a tight angle. 58mins.

Rangers were back under pressure on 61mins. Jackson was caught in possession and the ensuing cross had to be scrambled away.61mins. A minute later and Rangers were exposed on the left, Plant went across to close out the runner but the runner got inside and fired across the face in a great Liversedge chance.

Rangers then had a spell of their own in this pulsating game. A Rangers long ball looked a little too long for the chasing Andy Catton on the left, but he kept going pressing the defender into hurrying his back pass, Andy holt had followed in and nearly nicked it off the keepers toe, even so the ball out fell to Rob Northen who hurried his shot under pressure and it went wide. 65mins.

Three minutes later and Rangers broke from their own half with Danny Clarke running cross-field at an angle before feeding Catton in full flight on the edge of the box but he was brought down in the Dee. The free kick went under the wall only to be cleared by a defender behind it. Pete Daniel made a change soon after Lee Mohammed replacing the tiring Nathan Would who impressed in his first proper outing. Catton returned to the right.

On  72mins. And Rangers grabbed the lead. Andy Holt chased down a through ball beating the defender for pace, then into the box before rounding the keeper and firing in from an acute angle. 2-1
Liversedge responded, Boshell fired towards the top corner only for Ben Simpson to pull off a great save at full stretch 74mins. Liversedge pressed on, a cross to the near post saw Plant clear with a header but go down clutching his face. The ref allowed the play to go on and Simpson again had to be agile to save with his leg at his near post. 75mins.

Two minutes later and a Ranger s free kick found Lee \Mohammed whose header goal wards hit a defender in the chest winning a corner. Back to the other end as Archer lost possession in midfield and Simpson again made a good save to maintain Rangers lead. 79mins. Into the last ten minutes and Liversedge were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Plant was adjudged to have tripped the striker, in what looked a good tackle, the Winterton defence were unhappy with the decision and Robinson was cautioned. The free kick went well over.

On 84 mins and Man of the match Andy Holt seemed to have sealed it for Rangers. As the ball bounced around in the middle of the park it went back to the Liversedge half, Holt challenged for a 50-50 ball winning possession, allowing him to bear down on the keeper before firing in across the face.3-1

 The lead lasted 2minutes. Liversedge grabbed one straight back as centre back Matt Sparkes met a deep cross from the left to the far post to steer another great header just inside the post. 3-2

The referee added two minutes added time but rangers closed out the game.

Lincoln Moorlands Railway 3-0 Winterton

Winterton travelled to rock bottom Lincoln Moorlands on the back of their best performance of the season at Sth. Normanton last weekend. Pete Daniel had his preferred starting eleven available with the option of Steve Underwood on the bench. The bench also had the half fit Lee Mohammed and ex- Grimsby Town junior Nathan Would.

Lincoln were the first side to visit an opposition box when Rangers gave away a free kick on the right, the ball into the centre on the edge was blasted well over inside the first minute. Rangers did the same a minute later when they closed down a keepers miss kick to win a corner, the ball in eventually fell to Clarke on the edge who also produced a “Johnny Wilkinson” to fire over.

As Rangers looked to make ground on the left, Whitehouse crossed into the box, the keeper punched clear to Jackson who fired wide across the goal. A minute later and Rangers were caught napping. Lincoln keeper, Simon Daniels pumped the ball up field full back Greg Archer ran under the ball, Matt Plant came across to challenge but got the wrong side of Lincoln Striker Craig Bridge who ran into the box only for Plant to pull him back in the box to concede a soft penalty. Nick Robinson stepped up to give Lincoln the lead. 1-0 5mins.

Winterton stepped up the pressure, Clarke turned and shot straight at the keeper on 13mins, Rob Northen capitalised on a Lincoln slip to run at the box but his shot was poor with Mark Whitehouse screaming for the ball on the overlap. 14mins. Two minutes later and Northen flicked on a pass from Jackson, Holt looked clean through but as he shaped to shoot, the impressive Spence made a superb full stretch tackle. Then Northen had another chance a minute later when he cut inside two defenders only to shoot weakly at the keeper. You kind of got the feeling…….

Lincoln were working very hard and defending in numbers and only occasionally foraging forward, the left was a good avenue for them and they produced a shot on target on 19mins which Simpson collected smoothly. Rangers reacted by Plant flicking a free kick from a deep cross to Clarke but the midfielder more dragged the ball from between his feet than shot at the keeper.

On 25 mins. Lincoln were awarded a free kick as Steve Robinson went to ground on the edge of the box after Jackson had given the ball away on the left. The shot direct from the dead ball was comfortable for Simpson.

Just past the half hour and Danny Clarke carried the ball from his own half after breaking down a Lincoln Attack, he had Northen in front and after drawing the centre back pushed the ball in that  direction but it was far too heavy and the ball ran harmlessly out, Northen would have been clean through. It was an example of the type of performance the side were delivering, collectively the quality was very poor, passes to the opposition a regular occurrence, and attacks becoming more and more ragged as the half closed. Rangers huffed and puffed to the end of the half. HLF TIME 1-0

Whitehouse came off at the start of the second half to be replaced by Underwood, Clarke moving to the left flank.
Lincoln almost doubled their lead instantly when Plant was again caught cold and only for a great tackle from Robinson saved the moment. 46mins.

Two minutes later and Catton woke up from his torpor to round his marker after Holt had fed him; his cross to Northen was unfortunately headed wide from close in. 48mins. Rangers continued to give the Lincoln defence some heading practice until 58mins in when Archer didn’t challenge a header just inside the Lincoln half on the left. The header sent Bridge down the flank with Robinson coming across to challenge, but he chose to try the tackle and as he went to ground Bridge skipped over and raced goal wards well in from of the half hearted backtracking by the assembled Ranks of Rangers defence and midfield. But Bridge neatly wrong footed Simpson to double the lead. 58mins. 2-0

Winterton did spend long periods in and around the Lincoln box but couldn’t find an effective way in. A minute after going behind Archer flicked on at the near post from a corner but no0one had gambled at the far and the ball was cleared.

Rangers did have the ball in the back of the net on 65mins. A corner from the right had skipped up and hit Plant on an arm close to his side, but it did aid his control before he fired in but the ref gave the free-kick. Then on 71mins Clarke managed a rare run down the left flank before crossing into Holt who headed firmly goal wards but unfortunately at the keeper from five yards. Rangers continued lumbering forward.

On 79mins controversy. Rangers won a corner on the right, the ball into the near post was flicked to the far where Holt controlled before firing in. a defender two foot behind the line cleared the ball away and the ref waved play-on. Everyone at that end of the pitch saw the ball cross the line except the two officials. It would have set up a fiery last ten minutes.

But what happened was with only 2 mins to go Lincoln won a corner on the left and the perfect cross to the near post was headed home unopposed. Not a Rangers shirt near him and Simpson not making a challenge inside his six-yard box. 3-0 88mins.

Final Score 3-0

A very leaden display from Rangers who had to carry too many players today, but it was the first poor performance after 18game.

Sth. Normanton 1-5 Winterton 13/10/07

Winterton travelled to Nottinghamshire and Sth. Normanton in a match of last seasons promoted. Wednesdays win at Lincoln was also a break for a few players like Robinson, Holt and Underwood but they returned to the fray on Saturday.

After winning fourteen of the last 16 games in all competitions, Rangers are full of confidence. Rangers intent was obvious right from the off, Mark Whitehouse, back into midfield raced down the left cutting inside into the box before feeding Holt who miscued the ball into the path of Andy Catton who looked destined to score but Normanton keeper Ross Whalin saved well with his feet from point blank. Most people were still doing up their coats as they left the bar. 1min.

Onwards was Rangers philosophy, four minutes later and Rob Northen linked with Catton on the right to create a shooting opportunity for Rangers leading scorer who fired across goal, only for Whalin to push away for a corner. Sth. Norm. were forced into a change soon after with Newton replacing Gamble.

Sth. Norm. first foray towards the Rangers goal saw them win a corner on the right, the ball in was punched to the edge of the box to Bowles but he hurried his shot and fired well wide. 11mins.

Winterton were finding options with every attack either flank or straight down the middle. Jackson deep pass onto Holts head saw a flick into Northen’s feet but his shot was more of a miss hit. 13mins. Then Holt himself tried a rasping shot from twenty-five yards after Clarke and Whitehouse combined to feed the striker but Whalin took it well to the chest. 15mins.

By the 21st min. it was only a matter of time before the pressure told. Mark Whitehouse again skinned the full back before turning towards goal and chipping the ball over the closing defence to the far post where Andy Catton coming in from the flank headed into the back of the net. 0-1

On the half hour Ricardo gave away a free-kick just inside the Rangers half. The ball into the box was surprisingly uncontested by the Winterton defence which allowed the delighted Kevin Newton to tuck the ball home via the inside of the far post. 1-1

It was a bit of a soft goal, but Winterton dusted themselves off and continued to take the game to Sth. Norm. An attack down the right looked to have broken down, but the industrious Danny Clarke forced the issue and the defender hit his hurried clearance straight at his own defender and into the path of Andy Holt who made no mistake to fire into the far corner. 1-2 33mins. Two minutes later and Catton raced through on the right before crossing to the far post where Whitehouse headed low into the corner, only for Whalin to make another Phenomenal save to claw it back from crossing the line although the crowd in the corner were convinced it had crossed the line.

Winterton looked full of goals; it was a matter of when not if. On 39 mins Matt Plant showed his ability in the box with a header that Whalin saved low to his left and then scrambled to concede a corner with Holt closing in. It was a warning for four minutes later after Catton was tripped on the right; Plant again came forward for the free kick. The ball in to the near post was met acrobatically by Matt Plant with a diving header to make it 1-3 43mins.

It was as good a first half performance as Rangers have produced this season.

There was no let up as the second half commenced, inside 60seconds and Catton was exposing the right flank with a run into the box and cross that flashed across the face, the rest of Rangers couldn’t keep up. Two minutes later and Whitehouse won a 50-50 on the half way line and ran goal wards reaching the edge of the box before being dispossessed, only for the ball to run to Danny Clarke who drove the ball across the face where Andy Holt reacted well to divert the ball into the back of the net. 1-4 47mins.

On 49mins Sth. Normanton nearly grabbed one back in a near replica of their goal in the first half. A free kick on the left was curled to the far where the smallest player on the park Joel Hodgkinson was found unmarked but his header went wide.

But Rangers were still a major threat going forward. Archer sent a ball into the centre where Northen made a nuisance of himself before squeezing the ball through to Holt who was just about to fire goal wards when centre back Dean Whiley made a great saving tackle. 50mins. The tempo had dropped a little but still Rangers pushed forward. Catton forced another save from Whalin to his right winning a corner that when fired in Ricardo flashed a header wide of the far post. 55mins.

The Sth. Normanton defence had started to push up and were very flat, Rangers looked to expose it. On 57mins. Holt was sent racing through and into the box the immovable object that was Ross Whalin stood up well and as Holt hesitated, Whalin pounced to smother the ball, Holt should have done better. Daniel made a change Whitehouse replaced by Steve Underwood, Clarke moving to the left.

On 70mins. Greg Archer made his way down the right wing, crossing to the near post where Northen flicked to Holt who laid the ball to Underwood who was fouled on the edge of the box. Jackson fired round the wall where Whalin made a save but spilled the ball to the feet of Northen 4 yards out but as the striker fired in Whalin somehow twisted himself to make a stunning save with his leg on the line. A minute later and a Rangers corner saw Whalin punch away the ball but only to the feet of Clarke but his shot was cleared off the line. 71mins. Adam Deakin then replaced Andy Catton. 

Into the last ten minutes, Sth. Normanton were getting a bit more ball, but Rangers were always liable to break away. Danny Clarke won possession on half-way and sent Northen through one on one but Whalin again refused to allow Northen onto the score sheet saving with his leg. 82mins.

Then on 87mins. And Northen chased down an angled ball into the far corner before passing to Deakin in support who in turn found Steve Underwood how likes to appear in the box, and  he showed why when he clinically fired into the far corner. 1-5

FIMAL SCORE 1-5

Rangers were mesmerising at times, two touch football that Sth. Normanton were shadow chasing as Whitehouse, Clarke and Catton linked with the front pair. Dave Ricardo was very disciplined in the middle and the back four were solid. Without exaggeration Rangers could have scored 10 goals but for Ross Whalin's superb display.

Winterton Rangers 1-0 Thornaby FA Vase 06.10.07

Another Saturday, another cup game, another Northern League side, Thornaby from Stockton –on – Tees managed to find West Street in plenty of time for this FA Vase First round game. With Pete Daniel in sunny climes for the week Dave Robinson again took charge of the blues. Two changes from Wednesday evenings 6-3 humdinger against Arnold Town saw Andy Holt return to the starting line up with Lee Mohammed dropping to the bench and Ben Simpson preferred to James Norton between the sticks.

Thornaby entered the pitch with ex-Pro Dean Gordon at the heart of the defence, and their start was worthy of his standing. With only 8mins. On the clock Turner fed Chris Crellin on the edge of the box where he curled the ball just past the far post with Simpson beaten, an early warning for Rangers.

Winterton won a corner a minute later and a ball to the near post saw Greg Archer dart in to head goal wards but the keeper saved. Thornaby showed early on they liked to hit the big strikers early and support following quickly behind, this nearly grabbed an opener on 13mins when O’Riordan looked to have beaten Deakin and into the box only for the full back to show strength to overpower the nippy midfielder before clearing.

The game ebbed and flowed, both defences dominant.  Danny Clarke tried his luck from 25 yards out after an intelligent crossfield pass by Holt. But the keeper was well behind the drive. Rob Northen nearly produced at the near post after a good Whitehouse ball found him close in, but the keeper did well.

A Pattern had formed, rangers were forced to shoot from range, Thornaby generally broke down around the edge of the box.  On 28mins. Steve Underwood tried to break through but stumbled over the ball, recovered his feet before laying back to Andy Catton who had an age to take aim and thump a shot that smacked the bar from 25 yards out.

As the half came to a  close, Rangers had spent more time around the Thornaby box than defending their own, Rob Northen did well feeding Holt who again spotted Danny Clarke’s run to the far post and with a first time shot it looked goal-bound before the Thornaby keeper Patrick Pisani saved with an outstretched right leg. Rangers recovered the ball by Whitehouse was fouled deep on the left. The ball into the box was cleared for a corner, Rangers on the front foot crossed into the box where Andy Holt headed wide from a good position. It was a good spell.

Then Rangers nearly gifted Thornaby a goal, looking a little uncomfortable as they played the ball across the back Steve Robinson gave the ball away on the edge of the D  but as the striker , with only Simpson to beat, hesitated Robinson reacted well to clear the danger. The whistle blew and Robbo grinning left the field. HALF TIME 0-0

Winterton came out looking very sharp, and completely dominated the first ten minutes. On 47mins Holt forced his way into the box before feeding Whitehouse, his cross was blocked out to Clarke who drove the ball over the bar and over the club. Dean Gordon walking out at half time looked as though his knees had gone but when he stepped onto the grass and ran with Rob Northen to shut down another break the years dropped off.

Thornaby didn’t make any headway into the Rangers box until the 57min. when Crellin found himself clean through but Ben Simpson was out quickly to smother at his feet. But rangers were asking most of the questions, Thornaby didn’t have an answer to Whitehouse running from left back, or the other option of Andy Catton on the right. Catton with Deakin supporting crossed into the box where Northen flicked on to Holt who under pressure and at full stretch fired into the side netting. 61mins. Dave Ricardo replaced Greg Archer in central midfield. He instantly sent Northen on a foray into the visitor’s box but his cross was well defended.

Robinson made another change; the tiring Catton was replaced by Jackson with Clarke moving across to the right of midfield and Jacko onto the left. It almost proved fruitful instantly when Jackson found Clarke with a cross that he fired well over from the edge of the box.70mins. A minute later and another powering run by Whitehouse to the by-line before pulling back a cross onto Northen’s head, the looking header had the keeper Pisani back peddling to tip over the bar.

Another Rangers sub brought on the pacey fresh legs of Lee Mohammed for Andy Holt. Thornaby’s Crellin nipped up the other end as Rangers adapted to the changes, but looped his shot well over the bar. 78mins.

Into the last 10mins. And you begin to wonder whether the dominance would tell or extra time was on its way.

Rangers won a free kick on the left that was cleared for a corner as Rangers pressured. The corner from the right went unmolested to the far post where Rangers leading scorer Rob Northen was unmarked five yards out, his header hit the post. 80mins.

Four minutes later and Thornaby’s Crellin again got between Plant and Deakin and moved into the box with it looked like only Simpson to beat, it would have been a travesty, but Deakin had reacted well and got inside and made a telling tackle.

With only seconds on the clock Rob Northen ran at the box after a corner was half cleared, Thornaby striker Crellin went with him but as he eased off with Northen in front he caught the right foot of Northen and down he went, Penalty. The visitors were unhappy but it was a clear decision. Rob Northen stepped up after a delay and sent the keeper the wrong way and Rangers into the next round. 90mins.Three minutes of added time were added but Winterton ran out the clock in the visitors half. FINAL SCORE 1-0

Bishop Auckland 2-4 Winterton Rangers

Ranger’s third visit to the north east in as many weeks saw them travel to play Bishop Auckland who play as Shildon’s ground. Pete Daniel made a few changes to the side that disappointingly lost at West Auckland in the FA Cup last weekend. Billy Green, Billy Walmsley and Mark Whitehouse joined Steve Robinson in a new look (old faces) defence. James Norton between the sticks, Dave Ricardo started in central midfield and Rob Northen returned up front.

I don’t think any of us were prepared for the first half. BA started cleanly playing the ball around confidently, and Ranger’s defence looked all at sea. In fact when a through ball, Rangers captain Steve Robinson running back towards his own goal tried to scoop the ball away with the outside of the boot, only to find the feet of Darryl Evans on the edge of the box who stepped forward to fire low into the corner 1-0. 5mins.

As Winterton tried to shake themselves from the shock, a long ball forward saw Rob Northen race past the BA defence, head on once before firing into the top corner. 1-1 7mins. It was the BA defences turn to look pedestrian. A minute later Holt burst through the centre back pairing to close down a long ball but the keepers challenge did enough. 8mins

But, blow me if BA went straight down the other end, pressing the \rangers defence and finding Robinson wanting, there were two shots on goal but \rangers desperately defending saved two great chances blocking away on the line twice.

Winterton had the measure of the BA defence, Holt chased down three attempts to clear, before he could feed Northen who finding himself one on one with the keeper shot wide. It was only an opening salvo, as inside a minute later Andy Holt bulldozed a way forward before he fired low into the bottom corner. 1-2 12mins.

Rangers were on full throttle, the defence were settling down Billy Walmsley in only his second competitive game in two years was starting to dominate BA’s big striker Evans. When a BA attack broke down Mark Whitehouse raced from his own box to the edge of the BA box before being brought down. Andy Catton’s dead ball went wide.

Rangers pace around the park was causing BA problems, and with both sides giving the ball away in equal measure, it gave rangers the advantage to break quickly.

To prove the point, Rangers broke quickly and won a free kick 25 yards out. Mark Whitehouse fired in the dead ball which the keeper spilled. Rob Northen following in headed against the bar only for Andy Holt to head home his second. 1-3 19mins.

The game settled down, although Rangers still looked the most dangerous. Andy Holt having his best game this season was causing all sorts of problems for the BA defence.

On 36mins. Ricardo and Underwood combined to break down a BA foray, Underwood then neatly lobbed the back four to send Northen through on goal but his attempted lob over the keeper went wide, it should have been the fourth.

As the game entered the final five minutes of the half, Ricardo launched a long throw that Walmsley flicked on to Northen but the striker headed over with the assistant ref flagging behind him.

BA had a great chance with the final attack of the half. A long throw from the right saw keeper James Norton get under the ball and spill it to the feet of Crager whose shot was blocked away on the edge of the six yard box. HALF TIME 1-3

BA started the second half and found themselves in the Winterton box inside 30 seconds. A break down the left won a throw in, the ball into the box produced an opening but the shot was straight at Norton. Again BA broke a minute later when Whitehouse got under a header releasing Jo Fairish down the right but his cross was poor.

Then with Winterton’s first visit to the BA half, Underwood won possession before feeding Northen on the edge of the box he cut inside and fed across to Danny Clarke coming in from a central position, he initially looked to have been tripped from behind, but collected his feet before firing into the bottom corner. 1-4 47mins.

The game became scrappy again with both sides giving away possession.

BA had a couple of chances around 60mins. Fairish looked clean through on 59mins but was flagged off side, then a minute later a long ball was headed back by Steve Robinson, but it was a little short an as Norton hesitated  Fairish nicked in but the ball went the wrong side of the post..

Winterton then were forced to make a change when Walmsley sustained a knee injury curtailing his impressive display. Jackson his replacement. His first touch found Northen who squared to Holt but the striker fired wide from the edge of the box. 70mins.

A minute later and Holt chased a long ball only to be brought down. The free kick was cleared for a corner. The short dead ball to Catton produced a cross to the near post where Ricardo challenged the keeper winning a header back to Northen who fired against the foot of the post.

BA pulled one back on 73mins when a ball into the box hit Billy Green on the thigh and fell kindly to Bryan Stewart who fired into the bottom corner. 2-4

Rangers still pressed forward into the final ten minutes, Whitehouse forced a save on 83mins. Northen jinxed past two to force a save two minutes later. Then into injury time and both sides had chances, first BA when a free kick on the right to the far post saw Norton save at full stretch at the second attempt. Then a Rangers free kick poorly delivered was picked up by Clarke after closing down a defender, he fed Northen who flicked over his marker before trying to lob the keeper who just got his fingers to the ball and as the ball looked to dropping in he dived back into his goal to claw the ball away.

West Auckland 3-2 Winterton Rangers

Rangers travelled to the North East for the second weekend running. This time visiting Northern League Division One side West Auckland Town in the E-on sponsored FA Cup. Winterton travelled without leading scorer Rob Northen, but did welcome back Mark Whitehouse for his first start since fracturing his check bone.

Rangers did open brightly, Holt testing the legs of the Auckland defence, winning a corner on three minutes. Followed by a string of corners that were well defended. WA responded by winning a string of their own. WA came closest first when a corner on 14mins was received at the far post but the shot was well over and the flag was raised anyway.

Then WA came close again three minutes later when Colley was beaten on the left, the winger cutting in and delivering to ex-Leicester striker Lee Ellison who shot low but Simpson saved comfortably. Pete Daniel changed things round, dropping Catton into full back and Clarke to the right, bringing Colley into the middle.

Although chances were coming it was a low tempo start to the half, Rangers looked uncomfortable with the uneven surface, needing a couple of touches which allowed WA to close down on players.

Rangers responded with a long ball that a centre back headed back to his keeper, Holt chased down and nearly nicked the ball as he met the keeper just outside the box, the keeper bodily making a challenge and clearing the ball. 21mins.

Winterton were getting a little uncomfortable with the referee’s decision making. Twice the WA full back, Heckey deliberately handling, stopping a Rangers move with no action from Mr Clark.

On 22mins. Mark Whitehouse broke away on the right only to be brought down from behind on the edge of the box, again with little reaction from the referee. The free kick to the far post found Lee Mohammed wide open but he headed across the face with only the keeper to beat.

Three minutes later and Lee Mohammed broke through on the right winning a corner from his cross. The corner in bobbled about in the box neither side managing to get a decisive touch before it was finally cleared. And on 28min. Rangers broke quickly Clarke headed on but it was just too far for Mohammed.

It was a good ten minutes for Rangers, but chances on target were few.

WA responded by hitting the bar. On 29mins. WA won a corner on the left, the ball to the near post has headed against the bar before falling into the box, and another shot was blocked on the line before being cleared. Rangers central pairing looked very uncomfortable.

Just past the half hour Mark Whitehouse (feeling his way into his first game in weeks) rounded the full-back and fired in a great cross across the face but neither front runner had gambled.

Into the last five minutes and WA twelfth man helped them into the lead. A hopeful ball from right back looked easy for Steve Robinson but the ball took a horrific bounce in front and flew over his head and to the feet of Ellison who had time to control and fire into the bottom corner. 1-0 42mins.

Then on the strike of half time, Danny Clarke pulled a rabbit out the hat. Picking up the ball around half way from a poor goal kick he drove forward and lobbed the keeper from 35 yards with a superb strike. 1-1 45mins.

So rangers went in at half time level but in truth hadn’t played well at all. In recent weeks Winterton haven’t started to play until the second half and got away with it.

Within seconds of the second half starting and Rangers were behind again. Colley was drawn out to the right and a ball inside found Rangers wide open, Underwood was turned inside and out before Daniel Richmond fired a great strike into the bottom corner. 2-1 46mins.

Dave Ricardo replaced Judd Colley.

But on 50mins and Rangers went further behind. A WA free kick was taken quickly on the left, Steve Robinson came across to cover but again misjudged the bounce of the ball off the pitch giving Jonathan Milroy a run at goal which he calmly despatched when one on one with Simpson. 3-1

Rangers finally started to wake up, Ricardo and Underwood getting to grips with midfield. Rangers won another free kick around 30 yards out. The referee again doing nothing to stop the constant off the ball infringement. WA, Scott Nicholson a persistent offender. The free kick was easily cleared.

Then on 56mins Rangers grabbed one back. Ricardo won a header in midfield, feeding Mohammed who broke forward getting a lucky bounce off the defender before racing into the box and firing under the keeper to pull one back. 3-2.

Rangers were very unhappy a few minutes later when a couple of incidents went against them. Whitehouse chasing down a through ball was pushed into the keeper from behind; the keeper went down as if shot ands Whitehouse was given a yellow card. Then a few minutes later and Andy Catton went into a 50-50 challenge but was on the receiving end of a two footed challenge that should have seen a red card was waved away by Mr Clarke.

Four minutes later and with Rangers now firing, Clarke did well down the right to create a crossing opportunity. The ball in was cleared to the edge of the box where Whitehouse headed back and onto the bar on 60mins. Then three minutes later  and a great through ball found Andy Holt beating the offside to find himself in the box with only the keeper to beat but he somehow fired wide of the far post with a gilt edged chance.63mins.

On 65mins Phil Jackson drove forwards from full back into a central position only to be again cynically brought down 22 yards out. Clarke’s free kick was comfortable for the keeper. It was good Rangers pressure.

A minute later and Mohammed made ground down the left and delivered a great cross to the far post where Danny Clarke had a free header that he put the wrong side of the post.

It was Rangers golden spell and two great chances had gone begging and as the game ebbed away WA took their time to wind down the clock and in truth Rangers ran out of