Welcoming Bailey Conway back into the midfield engine room. Javelle Clarke was back after suspension and Joel Holvey was handed a start, while George Hornshaw started at right back. Adam Porritt and McCauley Snelgrove dropped to the bench as Jorome Slew and Harrison Poulter were omitted from the matchday squad completely. A dour first half, saw little in the way of magic dust from either side, with the Holy Blues struggling to beat the first man when getting into good crossing positions.
Trinity were looking for on loan Rotherham youngster Holvey on a regular basis, but in his eagerness to impress, was guilty of straying offside on a couple of occasions. Undeterred, Holvey took the fight to the Gladiators, and midway through the half, he danced through three challenges, but hesitated before getting a shot away.
Lewis Butroid found Liam Hardy, but a heavy touch saw the opportunity evaporate. Clarke was then wasteful, blazing over after a superb crossfield ball from Bobby Johnson unlocked the Matlock defence. Javelle seemingly doing the hardwork, before lacking the composure to at least work Saul Deeney in the visitor's goal.
Matlock winger Josh Barnes, making his debut for the Gladiators, powered a John Johnston corner wide when well placed, before Holy Blues' midfielder Bobby Johnson unlocked the visiting defence and Holvey racing in from the
left, to poke beyond the advancing Deeney gave Gainsborough the lead on the stroke of half time.
Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Matlock Town 0
Visiting boss, Martin Carruthers turned to Karl Demidh at the break, as Trinity had managed to shackle the threat of Jonny Margetts and Harry Wakefield in the opening period. The substitute immediately posing a different threat with his movement.
What appeared to be a combination of the goal and the visiting substitution, the second half was to prove to be a much more entertsining spectacle. Bringing about a renewed purpose from both sides in the second half, and Trinity should have further extended their lead.
Clarke got the better of West down the Matlock left, doing brilliantly to pick out Hardy, but his effort from seven yards out, was well blocked by Jamie Sharman. Hardy's effort squirming agonisingly wide of the upright.
The Gladiators had Deeney to thank for a smart double save, first denying Javelle Clarke before blocking scorer Holvey’s crisp follow up from the edge of the box. Deeney putting the follow up behind for a corner.
Neat play down the right gave Liam Hardy a sighter. The veteran front man forcing a good stop from the angle as Gainsborough took the fight to the visitors. Deeney holding on at the second attempt.
Minutes later, Dylan Wharton had to be alert though, making a fine save low to his right to prevent Demidh from equalising. But on 66, the towering Wharton could do little to prevent the same player from levelling things up. Combining with Margetts and fellow subsistute Ewan Catt, Demidh was able to rifle past Wharton.
Straight from kick off, the Holy Blues were denied the opportunity to restore the lead, Hardy did well to round the advancing Deeney, but the returning West did well on the retreat to slide in and divert Hardy's goal bound effort away from the target. Liam Hardy forced to wait a little while longer for his first in Gainsborough colours.
Ten minutes from time, Trinity substitute McCauley Snelgrove looked like he had scored, half the ground celebrating as his left footed effort rippled the side netting.
Henry Adams and Tom Parkinson both got around fifteen minutes to make an impression, and both caused problems for the visitors. One slaloming run from Adams forced the Gladiators to back off, presenting Lovick with a shooting opportunity, his shot comfortably dealt with by Deeney.
Late on home skipper, Dylan Cogill (on his 50th appearance for the club) produced some composed defending as he picked the pocket of the diminutive Margetts, who was primed to shoot inside the box, setting up the replay, at The Proctor Cars Stadkum, on Tuesday night. A 7.45pm kick off, in a tie that will be settled on the night.
The Teams
Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, George Hornshaw, Lewis Butroid, Harry Lovick, Dylan Cogill, Will Flint, Joel Holvey (Tom Parkinson 75) Bailey Conway, Liam Hardy, Bobby Johnson (Henry Adams 80) Javelle Clarke (McCauley Snelgrove 66). Subs not used: Ethan Cowan, Jack Moore-Billam and Adam Porritt
Matlock Town: Saul Deeney, George Wilkinson, Joseph West, Ollie Clarke, Ioan Evans, Jamie Sharman, John Johnston, Andrew Wright (Kemi Augustine 68) Harry Wakefield (Karl Demidh 46) Jonny Margetts, Joshua Barnes (Ewan Catt 64). Sub not used: Myles Wright
Attendance: 372
Sponsors Man of the Match: Bailey Conway (Gainsborough)
Referee Michael Trevethan
Match report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Stock images of George Hornshaw and Bailey Conway, courtesy of Russell Shepherd (@offthebenchpics)
Man of the Match Photo, Bailey Conway being presented with his bottle of wine from our sponsor.