Another local derby for Rangers after last weekends home win against Hall Road . The short journey to the counties capital to face Lincoln Moorlands. Winterton made two changes from last week, Steve Underwood replaced the poorly Mark Whitehouse and Rob Northen swapped the bench with Callum Dransfield.

Both sides made a tentative start to proceedings. Winterton made the first showing on 6mins. Rob Northen made ground on the left before playing the ball inside to Andy Holt making a central run, unfortunately the bounce of the ball wouldn’t let Rangers leading scorer get full control of the ball, the ball broke to Catton coming in from the right but his shot was blocked away into Underwood but his difficult shot went over.

The game started to settle into a pattern, Lincoln keeper Herrick launching balls towards the impressive Ranshaw who fed the oncoming midfield. But Winterton nearly broke the deadlock on 10mins, returning the favour with a long ball to Northen whose flick had Holt racing goal wards, trying desperately to get the ball to settle on the bobbling pitch. He got a rising shot in from the edge of the box that Herrick saved.

A minute later and Lincoln should have scored. A break on the left saw Ranshaw through on goal but Rangers keeper Ben Simpson stood up well and blocked away the strike from inside the box. There looked like goals in this game.

Then on 17mins as Lincoln pressed, a player got inside Haywood and into the box, and with the minimum of contact went down as if shot, Referee Mr Abey pointed towards the spot. Lincoln captain Nick Robinson sent Simpson the wrong way. 1-0

Winterton reacted calmly, pressing forward winning a few free kicks around the box, Catton and Clarke not quite finding their range from the dead ball. And Lincoln were always looking for the quick break and shots from around the box.

Holt had another chance on 33mins when he broke free but probably shot too early as he fought the bounce of the ball and his shot went wide.

As the half came to a close Rangers forced a few more free kicks around the box as they pressed forward. Catton fired over on 38mins, before Danny Clarke got it right by firing his free kick into the back of the net on 41mins.1-1

It was the fillip Winterton needed just before the break.

HALF TIME 1-1

Rangers burst from the blocks at the start of the second half. Rob Northen won a header around the half way line, retained possession before feeding Andy Holt who hared into the box before squaring into the path of Steve Underwood who’s first shot was blocked before he adjusted his stride to fire in. 1-2 45min.

Lincoln reacted straight away, pushing Rangers back with their mobile forwards stretching the Rangers back four. On 50 mins a free kick on the left towards the far was headed across the face but fortunately there wasn’t anyone there to pick up the pieces, but it was a warning. Four minutes later and another free kick awarded on the right  was fired low into the box to the near post where Craig Bridge flicked the ball inside the near post 2-2 54min. Rangers had been caught cold.

Straight from the kick off Rob Northen, back to best after being rested last week, raced down the left flank mesmerising two defenders before squaring to Dave Ricardo who made no mistake from 6 yards. 2-3 55min.

Lincoln pressed again winning a throw on the left. The long throw in should have been cleared by Clewett in front of the near post, but as the ball went over him Rangers captain Steve Robinson, stretching to clear sliced into his own net. 3-3 59mins.

The madness continued. On 63minutes Winterton won a corner on the left. The ball in to the near post was flicked home by Rob Northen to give back the lead to Rangers. 3-4 A minute later the referee gave a free kick around the edge of Rangers box when the ball hit Haywood’s hand when fired from close range, a harsh decision. The free kick in rattled the underside of the bar, bounced down but only half cleared. The ball was fired back goalwards where Holt blocked away with his meat and veg before the ball was cleared.

Both sides looked to have another goal in them; Lincoln went three at the back looking for an equaliser. Danny Clarke turned and fired in a shot that Herrick pushed against the bar, only for Clarke’s turn to adjudged to have been backing in, and Rob Northen created a couple of half chances.

To be fair Rangers closed out the game playing on the break but Robinson, Green and Clewett seemed to rise to the challenge as the game came to close.

FINAL SCORE 3-4.

This was a very good result against one of the better sides in the league, and although there is a concern about the number of goals being conceded Rangers have still to be beaten in the league this season.