Winterton Travelled across the M62 to Pontefract to try and improve on the recent mixed form. Pete Daniel kept faith with the same team that beat Teversal last weekend with the exception of recent signing Luke Dawson from Grantham replacing Dransfield on the bench.

Things didn’t start well for the game with the young referee Smith being very fussy. On 5mins Catton was tripped as he entered the box but as he recovered his feet and look for options the ref. brought the game back for the original foul. Two minutes later Rangers felt the Pontefract left back Henry lunged over the ball on Sharpless but only won a throw.

The first 20mins saw Rangers dominate all the play but fail to really test the keeper until on 20mins a long ball was misjudged by the left back, Catton got behind before feeding Holt but he was well challenged while stretching to shoot and it was blocked away.

It was 22mins. Before Pontefract made any meaningful challenge to the Rangers goal but it was probably the best of the half so far. Plant blocked away the initial cross from the byline but the clearance was poor and Ponty crossed again Rangers keeper Sewell flapped at it and it was cleared for a corner. The dead ball in was well met on the edge of the six-yard box but the header went over.

Three minutes later and Pontefract went one up. Plant gave away a poor free kick centrally on the edge of the box. Shaw stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and in with Sewell nowhere near. 1-0

On 28mins Rangers thought they had drawn level when a free kick into the box was headed home from three yards out by Matt Plant but the assistant Ref flagged for an offside. Winterton continued to spend their time pushing forward, Steve Ward crossed from the right to Holt on the near post who headed back towards Ricardo whose volley was blocked away. 32mins.

Winterton equalised on 38mins. Ward raced down the left tracked by the full back, he cut back wrong footing his pursuer before crossing to the far post where Andy Catton headed back across goal and in for a deserved equaliser. 1-1

On 42 mins. Rangers should have gone ahead. A lofted ball saw a miss-header by the centre back was pounced upon by Catton he played the ball into Ward and Holt who had made similar runs, Ward turned goal wards with the ball but Holt took the shot that the keeper saved, the loose ball fell to Whitehouse on the edge but the saved again.

Rangers closed out the half around the Ponty box, Ward fed Whitehouse who raced into the box only to be tackled winning a corner. The ball in was cleared for another. The second ball in was cleared to Ward who flashed his shot wide of the post. HALF TIME.

Although Winterton had dominated proceedings it was a lumpy performance lacking the drive of previous games, and the possession had created few real chances.

Sharpless carrying from the high tackle from early in the game was replaced by Dawson in an unfamiliar role at right back.

Pontefract started the second half with the wind behind them, and with a work ethic that embarrassed the plodding Rangers. On 53 mins. Ponty’ Rossiter was sent racing goal wards only for Sewell to come out to quickly to clear.

Three minutes later, Catton was dispossessed attacking on the right. The ball cross field was poorly defended and Pontefract fired across the goal and in. 2-1 Northen replaced Ward soon after.

Pontefract working very hard were more committed across the park winning nearly all second ball, Rangers attacking was predictable and Ponty defended their box very well. Rangers on the other hand were susceptible to the break.

Rosier could have extended their lead on 69mins. But fired across the face from a good position.

On 77mins. Rangers should have been awarded a penalty. Catton, running down the flank was deliberately tripped from behind by the impressive Henry. The free kick on the right had Henry as a one-man wall just inside the box. Cattons ball in was blocked away by Henry jumping up with his arms bent up alongside his head, the ball hit his arm but nothing was given.

In truth Winterton didn’t deserve an equaliser in a tepid second half performance, lacking any battle or commitment. The free scoring first half of the season has ended and now its time for the team to graft to gain the right to win games.

Pontefract, man for man wasn’t a better side but they worked harder, for each other and deserved their win.

Final score 2-1