Toolstation NCEL Division One
Knaresborough Town 3-4 Winterton Rangers
Mike Morris desperately tries to force an equaliser for Knaresborough. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Winterton Rangers moved five points clear of the bottom two after a dramatic win at Knaresborough Town – their second consecutive league victory.
The win was made sweeter by the fact that 16-year-old goalkeeper Lewis Tomlinson had to go between the sticks for the final quarter of an hour after Adam Stevens was sent off.
Winterton actually fell behind to Knaresborough captain Will Lenehan’s header in the fifth minute, but instead of folding, Lee Hastings’ men hit back with vigour.
Knaresborough were left shell-shocked as Winterton rattled four goals in by the 52nd minute to seemingly give themselves an unassailable lead.
Craig Palmer drew Winterton level on the half hour with a header before providing an assist for Rhys Vazquez a few moments later.
Already booked Winterton goalkeeper Adam Stevens sees red after throwing the ball at Jonty Maulin’s head. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Paul Stansfield’s home side started the second half badly. Knaresborough began by gifting Palmer too much room to open an angle up to shoot past Jack Rushworth. James Watson was then given an open goal to add number four.
Blaine Hobson reduced the deficit for Knaresborough from the penalty spot before a major siege of Winterton’s goal started. Rangers goalkeeper Stevens also gave the home side a major boost after stupidly getting sent off. Former Selby stopper Stevens had already been booked when he threw the ball at Jonty Maulin’s head. Stevens walked and young Tomlinson stepped into the breach.
Apart from conceding from George Eustance in the eighth-minute of added time, Tomlinson made a series of saves to ensure Winterton earned those precious three points.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Lees, Rodgers, Lenehan (captain), Maulin, Bradley, Parkes, Clayton, Walker, Collier, Eustace. Subs: Morris, Hobson, Radcliffe, Wilson.
Winterton Rangers: Stevens, Watson, Shortland, Dickman, Rotherham, Morrill, Siburn, Vazquez, Wetherald, Palmer (captain), Start. Subs: Abel, Hornsby, Batty, Coulbeck, Tomlinson.