Winterton travelled to Market Deeping to play United Counties side Deeping Rangers in the county cup. With Winterton focused on league and vase exploits, this game gave Pete Daniels the opportunity to try one or two new faces. Keeper Neil Croft and midfielder Tom Summers making the starting line –up.

The game started in glorious sunshine with a strong wind in Rangers faces, and Winterton thought they were on holiday. Deeping’s Pacy Andy Ellis raced past Green and Smithson and should have done better than firing at Crofts legs on 4minutes. It was all Deeping, with rangers chasing Ghosts, on 13mins when Smithson was caught out on the left giving away a free kick, the dead ball in had Croft palm away one handed.

On 19mins, Deeping thought they had taken a deserved lead when a corner from the right was poorly punched by Croft who then saw the ball headed past him into the net through a crowd of players, only for there ref to disallow the goal for a push.

Three minutes later, Winterton finally worried the Deeping goal. Whitehouse ran at the full back, the centre half came across to help only for them both to collide, Whitehouse broke clear and raced to the edge of the box and attempt to lob the keeper only to his effort go well wide.  It was a blip; Deeping continued to dominate a Rangers side performing poorly collectively and predominantly individually. Deeping won a string of corners.

Whitehouse again created another chance on the half hour, with a shot from the edge of the box that the keeper collected at the second attempt, with Northen snipping at the ball. Rangers created another chance a minute later but Deeping cleared their lines.

On 33mins Deeping should have taken the lead, Striker Danny Matson raced goal wards on the right, before pulling the ball back into the path of Mark Baines who hit the bar with Croft frozen to his line.

On 40mins. As the autumn sun was replaced by heavy rain, Deeping took a deserved lead. Another break down the right into the box this time with a strike at goal which Croft could only parry into the feet of Stevenson who tapped home from six yards. 1-0

As the Half closed Deeping could have grabbed another when a speculative shot deflected over Croft, but over the bar.

HALF TIM E 1-0

Rangers replaced Croft, at the break with Simpson returning. And started the half  with a bit more purpose, Whitehouse lifted a free kick from the edge straight at the keeper, bit the opening showed more promise.  Deeping warmed Simpson’s hands on 49 when a similar free kick had the Rangers stopper tip the dead ball over the bar.   A minute later Ranger was level. A free kick awarded on the edge of the Deeping box was quickly curled into the top corner as the keeper was lining up his wall by the quick thinking Danny Clarke.

It was a lot better from Rangers but still not the type of performance the Winterton faithful are used to this season. Some of the defending was a bit desperate as Deeping pushed forward. Rangers created a great chance on 57mins.  A quick break away saw Tom Summers open his legs to drive on before an incisive pass sent Northen to the edge of the box but his ball inside to the oncoming Catton was just behind him and the chance fell away.

On 59miins Rob Northen had a great chance when he latched onto a poor headed clearance but he lashed his shot wide. Northen has struggled to find his form of last season and at times looks to be trying too hard. His work rate is excellent, his chances will come.

Ten mins later Whitehouse cutting in from the left released Catton to the edge, his pass was a little heavy and Catton was pushed away from goal and shot well over. A minute later Deeping again hit the bar when a cross from the left was headed firmly from the penalty spot, Smithson cleared. It was a warning Rangers didn’t heed. On 77mins. Catton tried to nick the ball from Baines and got the wrong side on the left flank, the ball into the box was perfect to the far post where Deeping captain Lee Ellison headed downward where Simpson’s could only parry into the net .2-1

On 79mins. Deeping then hit the post, in a game that had opened up. Then Rangers equalised on 84mins. Dransfield on for Catton crossed from the right, the ball was half cleared to Holt whose spectacular bicycle kick brought Rangers back into the game.

As the half had progressed Rangers had become more and more frustrated with the referee who seemed selective with his decisions, A Rangers attack broke down with a clear and blatant hand ball was given as a foul the other way, both Northen and Robinson were cautioned. Soon after he made a decision that cost the game for Rangers. A Deeping attack broke down the left, Green came across to defend. The attacker turned quickly and fired goal wards; the ball hit Green on the arm only a yard away. The assistant flagged then lowered his flag, the ref went across and the linesman told him it hit his hand but it was not deliberate. Astonishingly he gave the penalty which was converted. 3-2

With only seconds to go Rangers won a free kick and threw players forward but the chance was cleared and Deeping raced up field and made it 4-2.

It was a terrible way to end the game. In truth Deeping should have won by a larger margin as Rangers were poor but it’s about taking chances and at 2-2 Winterton were still in with a shout regardless of performance. An atrocious decision changed the game...

FULL TIM E 4-2