one of the best games seen at the Haydon Whitham Stadium for some time – a game that was competitive and compelling saw Rangers shade the possession and chances but Ar Tarn were always a threat particularly the outlet of speedy winger John Dean.

The first half saw few goal threats but there was a lot to keep the crowd entertained as the teams battled to find a way through their opponent’s defences.

A sweeping Rangers move saw David Burton-Jones collect in his own half and find Scott Coupland, he sent Dan Schiai free wide, Schiavi’s cross field pass was taken by Charlie Coulson whose shot was saved by Town keeper Chris Jones.

Scott Mooney’s tenacity saw him rob Leo Adams on half way, a surge forward and pass set Coulson a shooting chance only for Adams to get back and block.

Desborough’s Jake Bettles fed Dean, he cut inside only to be thwarted by the recovering Jack Marsden.

Deeping’s Schiavi started another flowing moving involving Henry Dunn, Coulson and Coupland whose cross was met by Mooney but the header was straight into the hands of Ar Tarn keeper Jones.

Last chance of the half fell to the visitors, Dean swung in a cross from the touchline to the far post where Bettles narrowly missed the ball under pressure from Jonny Clay.

Half Time – Deeping Rangers 0 Desborough Town 0

Both teams appeared more intent of making the breakthrough on the resumption, a Schiavi pass was dummied by Mooney to allow Coupland into the visitor’s box only to shoot off target.

A teasing ball into the home box from Will Arnold brought Tom Smith into action to nick the ball from Bettles, from the Dan Grainger corner Aidan Bradshaw rose to head just over the bar, Dean supplied a pass to allow Grainger to blast wide from outside of the box.

Town keeper Jones spilled Clay’s header from Schiavi’s corner, the ball fell to Mooney whose effort only found the side net

Ar Tarn had a good chance when Jason Turner crossed towards Dan White only for Clay to flick the ball away for Bettles to hit first time time into the throng of Rangers defenders and loop over the bar.

Deeping skipper Burton-Jones burst forward into the visitors box, his cross fell for Schiavi to shoot on the turn to hit Bradshaw, Burton-Jones met Schiavi’s corner to see his header smash against the bar and fall down onto Jones but the ball stayed out and was cleared.

The visitors best chance came as an odd bounce saw Jason Turner in behind the Deeping defence, his attempted lob was short and easily taken by Deeping keeper Danny Bircham.

Rangers made the breakthrough with 5 minutes left, a Dean break down the left was halted by Dunn, his pass from the Deeping goal line went through Burton-Jones and Mooney who sent Coupland into the Desborough box, his pass found Charlie Coulson who took a touch and then smashed across the goal into the net.

Ar Tarn had one more chance, Bradshaw’s drive was well taken by Bircham, the last chance fell to Rangers Mooney, he chipped the ball over the defender and was 1 on 1 with Jones but saw his shot taken by Jones.

After a tight tussle it was Rangers who kept their winning run going (to eight games now) and ended Desborough’s 12 match unbeaten run – oh for more games like this!!!

Full Time – Deeping Rangers 1 Desborough Town 0

Match Sponsor – LIBERTY PARTNERSHIP, 104 Church Street, Market Deeping –
http://liberty-partnership.co.uk
Tel 01778 342291

Deeping Rangers Man of the Match: Jonny Clay

Attendance - 106

Referee John Burridge (Huntingdon)
Assistants: Lee Turner (Grantham) and Natalie Hudson (Bourne)