Winterton welcomed Pontefract to West Street looking to improve their league form of late. Wednesday’s win in the cup against Staveley gave Rangers a much needed lift.

Rob Northen and Jamie Barnwell returned to the side with Haywood and Sewell dropping to the bench. Andy Holt regained his striking roll with Northen starting on left.

The usual hustle and bustle at the start of the game and Pontefract had the ball in the back of the net on 6mns. A lofted ball into the box had Rangers Keeper Ben Simpson stretching for the ball over the heads of a couple of players but didn’t collect the ball under pressure but thankfully the referee adjudged there to have been a foul.

Rangers first real attempt came on 17mins. When Andy Holt attempted a shot from range that went over. It was a workmanlike half hour as both sides battled to get the upper hand. And to be honest Pontefract probably edged the quality possession without finding the quality final ball to match. But Rangers should have taken the lead on 31mins. Rob Northen raced into the box only to be brought down for a penalty. Chris Keel stood up to take it, but it was too close to the keeper when he guessed the right way.

It nearly proved costly when Pontefract broke quickly with Whitehouse and Robinson at the back, Pontefract’s Mick Ammos went round Whitehouse but only managed to hit the side netting from close range. 35mins

Winterton then took the lead on 37mins. Clarke spotted Whitehouse free on the right, the ex-ponty player ran at the box and had his shot blocked. But Andy Holt coming in from the left was quickest to react and fired into the corner. 1-0.    Rangers nearly made it two straight after when a corner from the left again fell to Holt but his shot was tipped over by Dave Turner in the Ponty goal.

But then Pontefract had a five-minute spell where they must wonder how they didn’t get an equaliser. A cleared Rangers corner looked to be under Colley possession but as he stumbled Ponty’s Andy Catton took possession and ran at the box with Green and Robinson in his way. Green made the tackle and Robinson passed back to Simpson, but it was woefully short and Catton rounded the keeper where his shot hit the woodwork with Green on the line. A real let off. 40mins.

Three minutes later a free kick from the left into the six-yard box saw Rangers defence hesitate and Simpson not come to collect. Catton got there first but Simpson made a reflexive double save before it was cleared.

Rangers closed the half with a sweeping attack that culminated in a ball from the left being knocked down by Barnwell for Holt who volleyed just wide whilst stretching.

HALF TIME 1-0

At the start of the second half Winterton replaced Judd Colley with Ben Morley and it gave Ranger a foot on the ball in the middle of the park and they started to exert more pressure. As in the first half Pontefract tested the keeper first when a shot from the edge of the box after a free kick was deflected but it was straight at Simpson.

Rangers first attempt on goal of the half came to Chris keel inside the six yard box when he challenged the keeper with his foot up and was adjudged to have fouled, a yellow card followed.

Winterton were in the ascendancy, but Ponty were countering with plenty of pace. Catton always looked dangerous and had a shot straight at Simpson whilst stretching to reach a pass on 56mins.

Andy Holt is starting to look a real threat up front and could have doubled his and Wintertons tally two minutes later when he was found with a ball just inside the box. He chested down and fired into the side netting.

On 62mins. Rangers got the goal that there pressure deserved. Robinson made progress up the left flank before crossing into the centre where Holt’s first time shot forced a great one handed save form Turner. But when the ball came back to Holt he had the presence of mind to pass to Barnwell at the far post, who made no mistake. 2-0

Pontefract responded well and had Ben Simpson twice called into action to make saves on 67mins.

Winterton then made changes and continued to look for openings. Sewell (on for Whitehouse) delivered a cross for Jamie Barnwell at the far post in a sweeping move but it was just too high. And Barnwell shot over from the edge of the box on 73mins. Ponty again made Simpson’s hands sting as their sub Barry Rothera went close. But rangers did enough to pick up three points and a clean sheet in their second win on the bounce.

FINAL SCORE 2-0