Winterton’s trip across the Humber came on the back of a six game unbeaten run in all competitions. Tuesday nights 3-3 draw at Worsborough Bridge on a very wet pitch had been points dropped after leading 2-0, before being pegged back to two each. Richards scored on 90mins before naive defending in the closing seconds won WB a penalty.

Hall Road has had a good start to the season but have fallen away in recent weeks. A win for Winterton would lift them above Hall Road.

The first five minutes was enthusiastic if nothing else, both sides shooting over from range. The referee was allowing a few hefty challenges go, Hall Road Danny Clark working hard roughing up the Rangers defence.

Dean Wilson reinstated to the right of midfield, sent Jamie Richards racing into the box but was tackled timely as he set himself to shoot with only the keeper to beat on 8mins. Three minutes later Keel allowed Hall Road Matthew Edeson to drop off turn and shoot. Herrick had to be at his best to save at full stretch.

On 14mins rangers had a great chance to score after Richards put Hudson through on goal with only the keeper to beat. The keeper stood up well but Hudson fired straight at him. Two minutes later Rangers were unhappy not to get a penalty when Nikolaidis was clearly pulled back as his quick turn beat Hall Road Sean Black. Again on 20mins. Nikolaidis got to the by-line and crossed, a defender attempting a tackle at full stretch, the ball struck his arm above his head and again the referee waved away the shout for a penalty.

On 34mins. A free kick was pumped into the box; Ricardo picked up the clearance and drove towards the edge of the box. He was soon surrounded by defenders and was scythed down from behind, the ball ran into the box and Hudson responded quickest to find himself one-on-one with the keeper but he again shot straight at him. Two minutes later Lawton still up from a free kick was picked out with a ball from the left, he chested down and fired goal-wards but the keeper again stood up well to block.

Rangers continued to create the best chances, Hall Road still looked capable of scoring but Billy Green stood up well in defence. On 40mins Rangers won a free kick 25 yards out. Dave Lawton stood up and fired in a shot that beat the keeper but struck the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken on 44mins. When Wilson did well down the right before crossing into the box, Richards bravely climbed between keeper and defender to head home receiving a kick in the side for his troubles. 0-1.

It nearly only lasted a minute as Hall Road went down the other end and crossed into the box, Herrick didn’t come and Keel challenged and the header Herrick tipped onto the bar and over.

SECOND HALF. 

Hall Road started brightly breaking down the right. The cross into the box saw a hesitant Leigh Herrick get a touch on the ball, it bobbled across the face before Wilson hacked clear with Black closing. on 48mins.

Rangers were now playing on the break, Hudson was sent through on 50mins. But his first touch took the ball too near the keeper. Richards closed down Hall Road fullback Betteney on 53mins. Winning the ball, he laid it back to Wilson who’s impudent lobbed shot from 35 yards had the keeper scrambling back, but it went wide.

Hall Road worked hard to get back into the game but couldn’t turn the corners and free kicks into goals, although Herrick nearly gifted them a goal on 66mins.  When he took a free kick near his own corner flag, only to hook his kick into the midfield where a through ball gave Clark a shot at the open goal. Herrick racing back across goal nearly over run the poor shot and had to stretch backwards to save.

Rangers breaking quickly, closed down the Hall Road centre back via Richards, Hudson took the shot but the keeper Ryan Clark again saved well.72mins.

77mins had the refereeing again questioned when Hudson was sent through only to be brought down by Jacklin from behind. The free kick was awarded but only a yellow card shown to the player who was clearly the last man.

The free kick was blocked away for a throw; the ball into the box gave Richards a chance to get his second but the keeper again saved well.

Herrick probably having his most inconsistent game for Rangers spilled a cross into the box on 84mins, but Green was on hand to clear his lines. Hall Road were pressing hard and nails were bitten as they won a free kick on the edge of the box on 90mins, but McGrath shot well over.

FINAL SCORE 0-1.