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Winterton welcomed back Jamie Richards to the squad against United Counties leaders Harrowby Utd. Paul Lindsey and Billy Green also returned to action after injury in this county cup Final at Gainsborough.

Rangers started really well, dominating the early possession as they ventured into the Harrowby half winning three corners inside the first 10 minutes. Richards had the best effort on 12 minutes with a dipping drive from 22 yards that just went over. Harrowby won their first corner on 20 minutes, which shows Winterton's dominance of the early stages. Richards was sent racing through a minute later but the keeper beat him to the ball.

Harrowby picked up from there on looking for openings down the flanks, and trying Green and Keel for pace. And somewhat against the run of play Harrowby took the lead. The Winterton defence didn’t react to a ball down the right flank until Harrowby were looking to cross. The ball across the face was tapped home from close range after keeper White initially saved the first shot. 0-1

Winterton were not in any mood to lay up and give in and quickly forced two corners in quick succession. Before Johnny Leigh was sent racing through on goal only to be pulled back by Harrowby defender Glover on the edge of the box and was lucky to only receive a yellow on 37mins.

The half closed out with Rangers pressing but losing 1-0.

SECOND HALF

Winterton were forced to make a change at the back with Paul Lindsey limping off with a recurrence of a leg injury that has kept him out for the last few weeks. Judd Colley replaced him.

Within four minutes of the start, Billy Green also limped off with only striker Andy Martin left on the bench the defence was left in tatters. Judd Colley dropped to centre back, with Banks dropping to left back. It was a major blow to the side already a goal down. But you wouldn’t have thought so seven minutes later when a Marshall cross found Johnny Leigh who cut inside his marker to fire home 1-1 (57mins).

Harrowby reacted to the blow of conceding.  Just after the hour they fired in a low cross from the left across the face and then back again as Rangers tried to clear. Two minutes later a fierce drive from the edge of the box was tipped over by White in the Winterton goal.

Both sides battled hard to get that elusive goal to take the cup. Rangers lacked the killer ball but worked the edge of the 18-yard box.  Harrowby had the better chances - twice firing over from scoring opportunities. But Winterton battled for every ball, Dave Ricardo was colossal in the heart of midfield chasing down everything, breaking up their play and also driving Rangers forward. Chris Keel was strong at the back, pulling the defence together, especially with Colley hobbling badly midway through he second half.

Normal time concluded at 1-1.

EXTRA TIME 

The first half of extra time saw Harrowby in the ascendancy. On the 4^th min. Adam Buckley (the ex-Lincoln city player) shot straight at White as he bettered Keel. 4 minutes later Banks had to be aware as he headed away with the Harrowby attack looming.

The second half of extra time nearly produced a goal for Rangers as Whitehouse burst through but elected to cross, which the Keeper collected. Five minutes later a Harrowby striker was found wide open in the middle but he skewed his shot wide with the Linesman flagging.

The game ended in controversy when Martin delayed a Harrowby throw, only for Glover to throw an arm. Martin was Booked, Glover sent off for a second booking. The game closed out all level.

PENALTIES

Rangers took the first penalty, Banks sent the keeper the wrong way and Richards chipped it in as the keeper dived to his left. They resounded to keep it level. Leigh strode up to score rangers third - neatly wrong footing the keeper. Harrowby sub Jason Harrison fired his shot against the bar. Whitehouse converted, as did Foster for Harrowby. Chris Keel strode up to fire home the winner. 5-4 on pens.