Trinity raced into a two-goal lead by the midway point of the first half. A moment of quality on eight minutes saw Brodie Litchfield bring the ball down and spin away from a challenge all in one action, before curling past Birch into the top corner. Litchfield doubled Gainsborough’s advantage when he slotted past the en-rushing ‘keeper; getting to the ball ahead of fellow front man Morrison to slide a neat finish home. Simon Russell was then denied by Tom Spall a moment later with a last-ditch intervention on the goal-line as Trinity couldn’t add to the their total before the break.

The Holy Blues saw a couple of chances come and go at the start of the second period, Birch out quickly to deny first Hannah and then Worsfold before Bottesford had a good spell as Liam King rang the changes. Two goals in five minutes saw

The Poachers level. First Jacob Fenton halving the deficit, turning in at the back post, before Wayne Graves equalised converting Dale Hutson’s centre, but the Holy Blues re-exerted their authority in the closing stages. Bottesford were not level for long though, as Birch made a fine flying save to deny Litchfield, but he was well beaten as Shane Clarke’s powerful downward header gave him no chance from the resulting corner Litchfield didn’t have to wait much longer though, as he completed his hat-trick with a neat turn and finish from the edge of the area, giving Birch no chance.

Simon Russell was twice denied a goal, first his low drive was comfortably held, then a curling effort striking young Elliot Wilson en-route to goal. Tricky wing play from Rod Orlando-Young set up Wilson, who fashioned a shooting chance only just failing to hit the target. Wilson & Orlando-Young combined again, the latter teeing up Worsfold two minutes from time as Trinity made it five with a couple of minutes remaining.

Match Summary

Man of the Match: Brodie Litchfield
Entertainment rating: 4/5

Gainsborough Trinity: Callum Fielding, Sam Topliss, Jamie Green, Shane Clarke, Joe Maguire, Nathan Hotte (c), Simon Russell, Kingsley James, Brodie Litchfield, Ross Hannah, Kurtis Morrison Subs Rod Orlando Young, Elliot Wilson, Ashley Worsfold, Nuno, Will

Bottesford Town: David Birch, Tom Spall, Jack Cross, Kieran McCaffery, Tom Johnstone, Henry Cook, Paulo Bunze, Wayne Graves, Jacob Fenton, Dayle Hutson, Nathan Smith Subs Ewan Train, Luke Robinson, Mason Ellender, Greg Watson, Robbie Leaning, Claudio Campus GOALS: Gainsborough: Litchfield 8, 26, 75, Clarke 70, Worsfold 88 Bottesford: Fenton 60, Graves 65

Writes Robert Hughes