For the visit of fourth from bottom AFC Emley, Winterton had to make a few changes to the side that were narrowly beaten at Glasshoughton in the vase last weekend. The sad retirement of Billy Green and the working James Atkinson left only Captain Steve Robinson from last week, recent signing Gavin Cooper started at centre back, Craig Sharpless returned to the side at right back and Mark Whitehouse filled in the left back roll.

It was an uneventful first ten minutes as both sides tried to lift themselves into the game on a pretty wet surface. Emley winning the first corner that Simpson held. The game sparking to life on 13mins. A ball out to Sharpless on the right with acres of space to run into made ground before feeding into Andy Holt’s feet who’s one touch and neat pass into Andy Catton’s path who neatly slotted the ball into the far corner. 1-0

Winterton continued to look most likely to score although the Emley big number ten Flynn and ex-Ranger Alan Laud looked very capable.

On 17mins. Andy Holt fed Danny Clarke to race to the by-line but his cross across the face didn’t have anyone near enough to get on the end. The game didn’t really have a great deal of spark, Rangers were unhappy with a few challenges from an Emley side keen to go to ground in the tackle, Catton and Whitehouse in particular felt the bite of Pinnock and Wallace.

On 25mins a hopeful punt up front fell between Emley centre back and keeper just inside the box, Andy Holt showing strength got between both to nick the ball only to rugby tackled to the ground by the keeper Jamie Green. The penalty was awarded but referee Mr Barraclough from Lincoln inexplicably only showed a yellow to the very fortunate Green who was clearly the last man. Dave Ricardo stepped up to convert the penalty. 2-0

Emley came back at Rangers winning a few corners around the half hour mark that Simpson came out to deal with against probably the tallest team to visit West street this season. Then on 37mins. A great defence splitting pass and offside breaking run by Flynn looked to have created a chance but Cooper read it well to concede a corner. The first ball in was cleared for another corner. The ball in was dealt with and either a goalkick or free kick to Rangers was awarded before the Assistant referee flagged the referee to him. Astonishingly a penalty was awarded to Emley for an offence only the assistant saw, no call from the players or the Emley supporters behind the goal came during play and everyone in the ground wondered why as Alan Laud calmly converted to make it 2-1.

Greg Archer nearly grabbed another for Rangers on 42mins. When he stole into the box before heading a cross from the left to what looked destined for the top corner but keeper Green made a superb full stretch save to tip it round the post. 

HALF-TIME 2-1

The controversy continued at the start of the second, a through ball had Clarke looking to cross on 47mins but the ball hit the arm of a defender, not the most convincing of penalty shouts but his arm was outstretched if not deliberately towards the ball and decisions have been given for similar.

A minute later Clarke pulled the ball back to Whitehouse who crossed to Catton at the far post but his header was easy for the keeper. Wintertons good start to the half paid off on 50mins, Whitehouse and Ricardo linked for Whitehouse to cross to the near post where Rob Northen appeared to flick the ball over the keeper. 3-1 Four minutes later another cross from the left to Holt who had come off his sick bed to play, headed goalwards only for the defender Pinnock to head clear.

On 60 mins. Emley pumped in a free kick from deep towards the far post, Robinson cleared for a corner, Rangers looked a bit suspect as they conceded a couple more corners before Ricardo blocked another shot and then cleared upfield.

Nine minutes later Rangers won a free kick on the right that was quickly taken to Catton who raced goalwards jinxing past a couple of tackles before Wallace again brought down the Winterton midfielder in the box but escaped a card. Dave Ricardo stepped up to take the penalty stumbled in his run up but still placed the ball in the corner only for Green to fantastically palm away, and then win a free kick as he beat Ricardo to the ball.

Straight away Green pumped the ball up field, it caught Rangers cold and Alan Laud was calmness itself as he took a touch before firing across the goal and in. 3-2 Winterton then again had to defend a string of corners before entering the last ten minutes.

Steve Underwood replaced Dave Ricardo and had a shot blocked away on 80mins from another controlled header back by Andy Holt.

But the best was saved for last when Greg Archer picked up the ball around 40yards out stepped up a few before thundering a shot that rattled the underside of the bar and in for a superb Rangers fourth. 4-2 As the game came to a close Andy Holt nearly grabbed another his performance deserved but the keeper parried away.

FINAL SCORE 4-2

Anther good result in a performance that had spells of very good play between periods of hard graft. Winterton scored four but for the performance of Green in the Emley goal who should have seen red in the first half it could have been more.