The second round qualifying of the FA Vase gave Winterton a tricky tie at NW counties side Oldham Town. With both Billy Walmsley unavailable at centre back and Ben Morley also absent, Pete Daniel had Andy Holt back in the fold with Dean Wilson, Chris Edmond returning to the squad. 

It was somewhat of a surprise to find Both Wilson and Edmond in the starting eleven on the right side, with Green switching to centre back.

Rangers were swamped from the off and had no answer to the Oldham pressure, they had three chances inside the first 10mins. But shot wide. And on 16mins. They deservedly went ahead. Oldham captain Paul Taylor was allowed to wander into the box before a through ball found him unmarked and he tapped home past Simpson. 1-0

Three minutes later it should have been two, Oldham's James Curley was running the game he waltzed through some woeful challenges before releasing Scanlon into the box, where he forced as brilliant save out of Ben Simpson. Rangers made little headway going forward.

On 25mins. Curley again was found unmarked in the box but shot across the face. It could have been 3-0 and Rangers couldn't have complained. The defence was non-existent and midfield was chasing shadows unable to get a foot on the ball.

Rangers first real chance came on 27mins. when a corner from the right was met by Keel, square to Northern who athletically fired over with a volley.

On the half hour it was 2-0 when a through ball looked to be covered by both Keel and Robinson, but as they both dithered looking for Simpson to come, An Oldham striker raced between them, rounded the keeper and slotted home. 2-0 A real shambles of a goal.

Seven minutes later Oldham complete dominance was presented with a third goal. A corner from the left to the far post, Keel challenged well to the initial cross but as the ball fell into the box Oldham reacted quickest to the loose ball and fired home from inside the six-yard box. 3-0

Winterton had no answer, and continued to be dominated. Curley could play where he liked, the midfield didn't pick his runs all half.

On 43 mins Curley stood unmarked in front of the defence, when the ball into his feet came he had an age to turn and fire a shot that Simpson saved brilliantly at full stretch.

If rangers had gone in at half time 5-0 down they couldn't have complained.

HALF TIME 3-0

Daniel made a double substitution straight after the break Ross Haywood replaced Edmond and Dave Ricardo came on for Wilson. Haywood slotted into left back with Robinson moving to center back, Green went back to right back.

Rangers looked more stable straight away Ricardo in centre midfield shut down the space Curley had effectively dominated in the first half.

Barnwell snatched at Rangers first foray forward, when he pulled his shot wide from the edge. Oldham were still creating chances, still pressing the Winterton box. A Free kick from just outside the box was superbly tipped onto the bar by Simpson, with Keel reacting quickest to clear away the danger on 51mins. 

Winterton were now a match in midfield and started to find chances for themselves. On 53 mins Ricardo won a free kick on the edge of the box. The free kick in was deflected wide with the keeper scrambling.

Whether it was Oldham who took their foot off the gas or Rangers improving more chances were coming. On 67mins. A quick free kick out to Haywood changed the angle of the ball into the box where Holt’s shot was blocked away. Oldham still kept finding players into the box but on 70mins again fired across the goal.

75mins. And Rangers got one back. Rangers initial ball from a free kick was cleared out to the left. Haywood returned the ball through to Whitehouse who won a 50-50 with the keeper before tapping home. 3-1

Martin replaced a minute later Northern. It took the pace out of the front line.

Winterton continued to battle for a way back into this tie, Oldham always looked likely to get another. On 89mins. Mark Whitehouse was brought down in the box, but Jamie Barnwell’s penalty was poorly struck and the keeper saved.

Oldham closed out the game and could even have scored another when Scanlon headed back and Neville shot wide.

FINAL SCORE 3-1

Although Rangers improved measurably in the second half, the first half exposed a number of players. And the team selection has to be questioned in a very poor Winterton performance. Six goals shipped in thee last two games.