for the first time at The Haydon Whitham Stadium.

Both sides started brightly with Deeping seeing the first chance as a clever chip pass by Charlie Coulson played in Adam Scotcher whose effort was well blocked by visiting custodian James Flinders, Coulson then played a super pass releasing Tom Smith down the left with the cross flashing across the face of the visitors goal without anyone getting a touch.

Rangers took the lead on 6 mins. An inswinging kick from Jamie Graham found Joe Braithwaite free at the far post to slide home unchallenged.

This stirred the visitors and they started to dominate with the diminutive livewire Reece Morris and winger Ash Day at the heart of most of their efforts but the home defense stood resolute and kept goal threats to a minimum however Thurnby leveled on 21 mins. Ash Day's corner was cleared back out to him and he dribbled along the goalline to cross for Matt Melbourne to head downwards and see the ball under home keeper Dan Bircham.

This goal unsettled Rangers for a while and passes were going astray but the defending remained steadfast as Nirvana applied the pressure - Pearson Mwanyongo sent in a cross that Melbourne met with his head but was high and Morris withstood several challenges to set up a shooting chance to be blocked by Braithwaite.

Having steadied themselves Deeping started to offer threats, Scotcher was released down the right, his cross took a wicked deflection and was just the wrong side for the post from a Rangers perspective.

Thurnby's Will Gonga released Morris to lay off for Ash Day whose shot hit team mate Shaquille ONeill Brooks and deflected over.

With added time being played home skipper Spencer Tinkler won the ball in his own half, advanced and released Ian Ward down the left to pull back to Charlie Coulson who cut inside and sweetly curled his shot inside the far post to give the home side an unexpected lead on 45 + 1 mins.

Half Time - Deeping Rangers 2 Thurnby Nirvana 1

Having switched positions for Tinkler and Tom Palmer before half time Manager Korkmaz switched Dan Flack and Matt Carter for the start of the second and apparently sent the team out with a stronger desire as Rangers started the second half on the attack and within a minute they had increased their lead. Good play down the right saw Coulson pick a delightful pass to free Adam Scotcher who cleverly chipped over the advancing Flinders.

This goal seemed to deflate Nirvana and invigorate the home side as they started to dominate possession with Tom Palmer becoming quietly effective in midfield along side Flack and Coulson.

Palmer won the ball well and released Ward who sent in a good cross where Scotcher arrived but mishit his half volley and skewed it wide.

From a Thurnby corner, Tom Smith won the ball in his box, advanced and released Scotcher who forced a fine save from Flinders, Goldson-Williams won the ball and played in Scotcher who cut inside and fired a shot against the foot of the post.

Deeping deservedly increased their lead on 68 minutes, Flack won the ball on half way to free Goldson-Williams down the left, he held the ball and played into the path of Dan Flack who fired home from 15 yards.

The home faithful eased a little as thoughts of the Wellingborough game was in the back on their minds.

Nirvana wasted a chance when from a free kick just outside of the box, Mwanyongo short pass to Ash Day set up a strike but allowed Braithwaite to block, Morris then created a shooting chance in the box to only find Bircham.

Rangers were showing their attacking pace and causing the visiting defenders concern, Scotcher and Goldson-Williams combined to present Ward with a volley chance that skewed too high over the bar, Goldson-Williams then broke from half way to shoot high and the game finished as full back Smith ran from deep and tried his luck from 35 yards that had Flinders scrambling and taking at the second attempt.

A second half display from Rangers that warmed the faithful, with strong performances across the team and particularly the younger lads, and saw a thoroughly deserved victory against an in form side.

Full Time - Deeping Rangers 4 Thurnby Nirvana 1

Deeping Rangers:
1. Dan Bircham, 2. Dan Flack, 3. Tom Smith, 4. Tom Palmer (15. Jamie Sharpe - 83 mins), 5. Joe Braithwaite, 6. Spencer Tinkler (capt), 7. Matt Carter, 8. Charlie Coulson (14. Jordan Avis - 79 mins), 9. Adam Scotcher , 10. Ian Ward , 11. Jamie Graham (12. Jezz Goldson-Williams - 52 mins)

Thurnby Nirvana:
1. James Flinders, 2. Sean Phillips, 3. Shaquille ONeill Brooks (12. Luke Day - 57 mins), 4. Sean Doy, 5. Alex Biggs, 6. Eddy Samba (14. Liam Canavan - 61 mins), 7. Pearson Mwanyongo, 8. Will Gonga, 9. Reece Morris (15. Jouel Potter - 75 mins), 10. Matt Melbourne (capt), 11. Ash Day.