see the difference in grades of the teams as Potton gave good evidence that they would be an addition to the Premier Division.

Potton made a bright start but it was Rangers who made the first opportunity as Tom Smith made good progress to the goal line to drive across the face of the goal without finding someone to apply the finishing touch.

The visitors responded and took the lead on 6 mins – Jamie Berryman wriggled free down the left to cross and find Jamie Risebrow mid goal who touched the ball under the diving Danny Bircham.

Deeping were level on 9 mins – Jordan Avis got to the goal line, cut inside and pulled back to find Liam Tunstall to tap home into the empty net.

The game was end to end, Royals pressure saw a poor Rangers clearance collected by Adam Marsh whose cross saw Gary Ansell-Carter with a free header that Bircham got down to quickly to tip around the post.

Another Deeping clearance was met by Joe Aris’ half volley blast that clipped that top of the bar and Ansell-Carter’s smart turn and shot in the box was goal bound until a deflection took the ball past the post.

Having withstood a spell of visitors dominance Rangers started to get into their rhythm and the influential Joe Braithwiate won the ball to release sub Adam Scotcher down the left, he cut into the box where James Fitzgibbons attempt to challenge saw him foul Scotcher and a penalty awarded – Spencer Tinkler confidently slammed home from the spot on 26 mins.

Far from dispiriting the Royals they continued to play for an equaliser, a mix up in the home defence saw a header for Fitzgibbons but it was too high.

Rangers Smith won well in his own box and then sent Scotcher free down the left, he found space to get his shot away only to see it blocked by Max Harradine and Jordan Avis good run into the visitors box allowed a pull back for Ian Ward to shoot but only to hit Shaun Faulkner.

With half time imminent, Avis lost the ball to Berryman who hit a long ball to the far post where James Fitzgibbons collected and got enough of a touch to see the ball over the stranded Bircham for the equaliser.

A good half of football between two matched teams.

Half Time – Deeping Rangers 2 Potton United 2

The second half turned out to be less on goal threat action but none the less competitive, the Royals Marsh turned smartly and shot that had Bircham saving well with his legs.

Deeping were being tested and the experience of Tinkler and Braithwaite was setting the example for the rest of the side to follow and they responded (as could be expected!!)

Avis’ swift break into the box produced a good cross that was well defended by Harradine, Charlie Coulson jinxed his way into the box to shoot that had the visiting keeper Craig Lewis saving with his legs.

The visitors nearly took the lead when Berryman wriggled his way to the goal line to cross where Marsh miss kicked in front of goal while at the other end Braithwaite had two efforts – a drive about three feet off the ground that went past the post and then, after winning the ball, he thrust forward to shoot fiercely that beat the bar.

Rangers regained the lead on 77 mins – an Avis corner was met by the leaping Spencer Tinkler whose header beat the defenders on the line.

A Holland clearance was blocked and fell to the Royals Steve Muggridge whose shot was straight at Bircham.

With the game approaching full time Rangers made the game safe – a long clearance from Tinkler found Adam Scotcher free down the left, he withstood the challenge , took a touch inside and slotted the ball past the advancing Lewis and inside the far post.

Potton were not finished and pushed to get back into the game and in the 4th minute of additional time the tenacity of Callum Forster won the ball, he went into the box to shoot and despite the efforts of Bircham the ball squeezed inside the post.

A win for Rangers but the Royals pushed them all the way.

Full Time – Deeping Rangers 4 Potton United 3