With some trepidation the Winterton Faithful travelled to Dene Park for the Humber Derby with Hall Road Rangers. Recent seasons has seen this game as an unhappy hunting ground for the rangers of Winterton. Allied to that the plethora of players that had played at either club in recent years but transferred across added spice.

Pete Daniel fielded the same side that impressively dispatched Teversal in mid-week, Ross Haywood with another game to try and get match fit after missing the start of the season with Craig Sharpless still injured. James Atkinson failed a late fitness test which gave Luke Smithson another chance to impress at centre back.

The first half was a pretty forgettable affair, a bobbling pitch, strong wind and an over fussy referee put paid to any real quality. Winterton looked the most impressive going forward, Hall Road continually strayed offside.

On 3mins. A good Haywood cross from the left found Catton at the far post, he hesitated before heading straight at Paul Sharp in the HRR goal when he had time to perhaps control first.

On 15 mins. Winterton felt unlucky not to have won a penalty when Mark Whitehouse was brought down (what looked to be) in the box, only for the referee to award a free kick outside the box. The ball in was comfortable for HRR keeper, Sharp.

Six minutes later and Rangers had another chance. Northen and Catton linked well sending Northen down the right flank before firing over a cross into the six yard box where a defender sliced his clearance over the bar. The corner into Northen saw his flick hit a defender on the outstretched arm, but nothing given.

Winterton were fighting for scraps, HRR strong in defence were getting the rub of the green with decisions and Rangers couldn’t get the ball to run on a surface that affected the way they were attempting to play.

Rob Northen, who was working hard hasn’t yet found the shooting boots that made him Winterton's leading scorer last term, and when Clarke sent him through with only the keeper to lob on 28mins. His touch (or pitch) let him down and he shot wide.

A minute later HRR could have taken the lead when a good ball into the box was met on the half volley and but for a desperate launching of his body by Captain Steve Robinson in front the North Bankers would have taken the lead.

Rangers had a couple of chances towards half time when first a Green cross after a corner was cleared saw Northen ‘s back header go straight to the keeper, then a Catton shot was blocked away on 35mins.

But then Rangers, in injury time, got the breakthrough they deserved. Andy Holt was fed a ball into feet centrally in the box; Underwood racing in to take a one-two was upended by the defender trying to clear the ball. Penalty. Rob Northen calmly sent Sharp the wrong way, 0-1.

HALF – TIME

Winterton were stunned straight after the interval. A free kick from the right into the box was met by Ex-Ranger Rhys Pindar who looped his header over Simpson and into the net. Rangers had been caught cold, Smithson had lost Pindar and questions were asked whether Simpson could have come. 1-1 45min.

Winterton obviously discussed the conditions at half time started to be more direct, Holt was a battling force across the front line with Northen.

On 50mins. Rangers were back in front with a bit of a fluke. HRR old boy Danny Clarke was in fine form across the midfield picked up the ball on the left before cutting inside. He curled in a shot that HRR keeper was certain was going wide only to see it curl into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 1-2

Pindar then nearly levelled again when Rangers gave the ball away and he was sent through into the box with Robinson pressing. Simpson stood up well to block away.51mins.

Winterton continued to create the best chances. A robust Clarke tackle gave Holt the chance to run at the box only for his shot to be saved by Sharp. 54mins.

Clarke tried again on 58mins. With a curling shot Sharp saved with his legs out to Whitehouse who’s great cross had to be headed over by the defender foe a corner.

Two minutes later Whitehouse again did well cutting inside the box before feeding Underwood who blazed over.

On 61mins, Northen again could have doubled his tally when his turn and shot from the edge of the box went just wide. Then again on 72 mins Northen was sent through but shot across the face.

Rangers had other chances as the game came to a close, Whitehouse forced a save on 80mins being the best as the game drew to a close. HRR did attempt to undermine the Rangers defence in the dying moments with balls sent in, but Ben Simpson showed a good pair of hands to calm the nerves.

Final score. 1-2