With Tadcaster just missing out on promotion by a point last season Rangers expected a tough game following Wednesday’s FA Cup win against Daisy Hill.  Rangers were without Centre back James Atkinson and left sided Mark Whitehouse. Luke Smithson and Dave Ricardo came into the side.

Tadcaster started with the neat passing that was a trademark last season, Winterton soon got into that and immediately started to dominate play winning the first corner on 4minutes. And four minutes later took the lead with an incisive move started by Ricardo sending Clarke racing down the left flank. His cross on the run was met by Andy Holt at the near post with a great header flicked into the far corner. 1-0

Rangers continued to press both flanks Catton and Green linking on the right and Clarke on the left. On 9mins Rangers won another corner, and when the keeper flapped at the in swinger Northen attempted bicycle kick went wide. 3mins later another corner on the right was flicked on to Catton at the far but his shot went wide.

On 14min dominance was rewarded with a second goal for Rangers and Holt.  When Catton was brought down on the right, the dead ball onto the near post was held up By Holt, his first shot was blocked but he made no mistake with the second. 2-0

Rangers were so dominant, Tadcaster first shot on goal was 21mins in and Ben Simpson comfortably dealt with it. Two minutes later and Taddy could have pulled one back when Watson cut inside from the right and pulled the ball back but the shot from Ward went wide.

Rangers responded well, Holt was magnetic up front and with Northen and Catton flitting around Tadcaster were hard pressed to contain them. Holt fired over on25mins. And fine passing move with Underwood feeding off three players before running into the box only for a last ditch tackle spoiling what would have been the move of the game.

On 35 mins. Robinson broke up a Tadcaster attack with a firm header. Ricardo sent Northen racing into the box but Taddy keeper spread well to save. The resultant corner in found Northen wide open but last season’s top scorer headed over from 5 yards.

Tadcaster perked up somewhat and forced a couple of corners on 37mins. But after a game of goalmouth ping pong Rangers cleared via Sharpless.

On 40mins. The irrepressible Danny Clarke revelling in his new left sided role fired in a great cross across the face, Catton retrieved the ball and launched it back across towards Northen who’s first time shot was blocked away.

Tadcaster won another corner on 43mins but Billy Green was in no mood to concede and climbed well to head away any danger.

Then on the stroke of half-time the impressive Steve Underwood rifled in a shot from 25 yards that took a deflection into the bottom corner. 3-0

HALF TIME

The interval proved little respite for Tadcaster. A Rangers corner from the left was flicked on by Ricardo to Holt whose header was cleared off the line on 48mins. On 53mins a ranger’s throw was held up by Holt before feeding Ricardo who shot wide. Rangers kept coming.

Again a ball laid back to Catton who drilled his shot goal wards only for Taddy keeper Matt Wilson tip over. The corner in fell to Holt but Wilson collected on his line 55mins.

Then Underwood was fed the ball as he raced into the box but Tadcaster full back made a superb tackle to deny another Rangers goal. 56mins

Tadcaster’s best chance probably came a minute later when they stretched Rangers at the back with a quick break, Smithson pulled up holding his hamstring  but as the ball was laid back toward he fired over from the edge. 57mins.

60mins Clarke again did well getting to the by-line before cutting in goal wards, he looked up for a pass and saw the keeper step across and tried a sneak low drive towards the near post but Wilson reacted quickly to save.

On 63mins. Tadcaster should have scored. A long ball from defence towards Ward, a missed header allowed the striker in one-on-one with Simpson but his attempted lob was easily collected by the Winterton keeper.

Four minutes later Tadcaster’s Andy Battersby tried his luck from 35 yards out from a free kick but Simpson spread himself well to push away the dipping shot.

Then on 69mins Rob Northen showed strength in the box, but as he battled to get in a strike he was felled and the ref pointed to the spot. Northen then coolly fired home the spot kick. 4-0

The rout was completed on 72minutes when Northen made the by-line before his low cross was perfect for Andy Holt to fire home to complete his hat-trick. 5-0

Fair play Tadcaster didn’t just fold. On 78mins sub Downing did well beating Catton but snatched at his shot from the edge of the box. And then on 80mins. A corner from the left saw Ben Simpson come and collect cleanly.

But in truth Winterton could still have grabbed another. A free kick on the edge was looped up and over the wall and goal wards by Scott Phillips but the stretching keeper tipped it over the bar. And when Ricardo sent Mohammed through the youngster fed Holt whose low drive flashed the wrong side of the post.

FINAL SCORE 5-0

Winterton overall performance was excellent, Strong at the back and dynamic going forward, but the real secret the win was the work ethic instilled by the management. The Boys in blue never stopped working from the start and thoroughly deserved this win.