Derbyshire side South Normanton played host to Rangers and sat one place above in the table. Smith introduced Daniel Exley up front alongside Richards with Wilson dropping back into midfield at the expense of Nikolaidis, who was joined on the bench by Andy Sharp who played briefly for Rangers last year.

The early play saw South Normanton looking for the long ball opposed to Rangers trying to play through midfield. Rangers dominated the early play with a number of corners inside the first 15mins. Jamie Richards coming closest on 10mins when a Banks corner was met with a glancing header that skipped past the far post. South Normanton were quick to break and posed Rangers some questions, but Winterton looked solid at the back and most attacks broke down.

Chris McDonald’s long throw caused a few problems for the South Normanton defence, and one such throw was met by Wilson, who saw his looping header clear the keeper but bounce on the bar and over on 22mins.

Winterton edged the rest of the half, although it was a scrappy affair. Tom Spall yet again made a few good runs down the right and the midfield were getting forward to support. Jamie Richards who has been in and out the side due work commitments looked a yard off the pace, but still had a couple of chances including a header that the keeper tipped over just before half time.

Leigh Herrick didn’t have to make a save all half.

SECOND HALF

The second half continued as the first, South Normanton most lively player Richard Cleugh worked hard but was repeatedly caught offside.

Rangers went ahead on 51mins with a long throw from McDonald into the box, South Normanton keeper Hall came out to punch but with Keel pressing he didn’t get enough on it and the onrushing Debutant Exley headed over the keeper and into the net. 0-1.

Winterton played well, defended in numbers and supported the front two. The goal lifted the morale and Rangers became more expressive, looking to play to feet as opposed to the desperate attacking frenzy of previous games.

Chris Keel had a great chance after staying up after a corner was cleared when he beat the offside trap and found himself one on one with the South Normanton keeper, his low drive towards the far post was parried well. 58mins

Another throw from Chris McDonald cause problems in the box as the ball fell to Richards who turned and shot across the face, the ball was blocked and both Richards and Exley got something on a shot that squeezed wide. 63mins.

South Normanton created a good chance on 65mins when a throw on the left made its way onto the right where a neat ball inside by Mace put Atkinson into the box, he rounded the keeper but Rangers had bodies there to snuff out the danger.

Rangers extended their lead on 72mins. When Richards stood up well to a challenge on the halfway line, he made ground before spotting Banks on the left flank coming into the box. Richards pass was inch perfect, Banks controlled well before cutting inside the full back and curling his shot inside the far post. 0-2.

Three minutes later Banks nearly created another when he skinned the full back and crossed into the six-yard box where a South Normanton defender at full stretch nearly put it in the corner.

South Normanton best chance of the game came on 78 minutes when Jordan Mace was allowed to break through the heart of Rangers defence, only to run straight at Herrick who smothered bravely at his feet.

Richards had two more chances to extend Rangers lead as the game drew to a close; none more so when Winterton were awarded a Penalty in added time when the linesman spotted the South Normanton keeper kick out at Exley after clearing the ball. Richards struck his spot kick straight up the middle but the keeper saved with his legs.

FINAL SCORE 0-2