Two Trinity changes to the side that drew three all, away at Bradford Park Avenue, saw Bobby Johnson back into the starting eleven, in place of the injured Lewis Butroid. While Nathaniel Wallace came in for suspended skipper Dylan Cogill.

Gainsborough started the game brightly, taking the game to the Champions, who looked nervy under pressure. Alec Francis heading narrowly over his own cross bar from Bobby Johnson’s left wing corner. But Jordan Hulme opened the scoring just seven minutes in, heading home from close range as Trinity uncharacteristically switched off. Dudley’s second cross from the left headed back across goal by Sean Tse.

With that, the Holy Blues retreated a little into their shells, not wanting to fall further behind. And in truth, the front line were left a little isolated, When Trinity did get the ball up to the front three, the forwards were closed down quickly, and they found opportunities to pull the trigger limited. Howe, Southwell & Preston all shifting the ball on, to try and fashion a shooting chance.

Conway was trying to get Trinity playing with tempo. Back on defensive duty, he won a foul in his own box, and quickly got on with it. Preston getting away down the left. He delivered deep to the back post, where Southwell tried to knock the ball down for Howe. Evidence that if the hosts could play with a bit of zip and verve. Radcliffe were there for the taking.

Johnson’s corners continued to cause problems. His deep delivery was headed back across goal by skipper for the day Ashley Jackson. Howe pressurising the defence, saw the ball fall for Fraser Preston to volley left-footed against the crossbar and bouncing down. Despite reacting first, Howe couldn’t keep his spectacular overhead kick under the crossbar.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Radcliffe 1

Whatever Russ Wilcox said at half time, certainly had an impact. Trinity pressed from the front. And deservedly found themselves back on terms, Southwell popping up to score the equaliser. The experienced former Alfreton man arriving on time to draw the Holy Blues level. Nathaniel Wallace’s long ball clear, gave Howe something to chase down the right, cutting in off the flank, Howe’s effort was too hot for Brad Rose to handle, the spill falling kindly for Southwell, who needed no second invitation to slam home.

Bobby Johnson was tugging at the strings in the middle of the park, and he freed Howe down the right again. As the Gainsborough top scorer looked for his strike partner, Radcliffe thought they had averted the danger away from Southwell, but they weren’t thinking that left wing back, Joe Stacey, was working hard to get up in support. Stacey’s strike turning the game on it’s head. Arriving late, Stacey gave Rose no chance.

Trinity looked to have Radcliffe on the rocks. And nerves crept in to the visitors play, as straight from kick-off the quick pressing, started from the Trinity front men, had ‘Boro on the back foot. Taking no chances, Wallace cleared his lines, and with Southwell looking for Howe, Francis got a telling touch as Howe waited for the ball to drop.

More good play from Southwell saw the Gainsborough number nine hold the ball inside the box, before laying off for Conway to shoot. His effort charged down, and behind for a corner.

Substitute ‘keeper Josh Render did brilliantly to deny Jamie Morgan, when he found himself through on goal. Render making himself big & getting down low to his left hand side. Anthony Dudley driving Radcliffe forward, Lewis Rawsthorn and sub Ewan Bange combining well to create the effort. But Render equal to the challenge.

The visitors did level things again though, when Jake Thompson did well down the 'Boro right, before teeing up debutant Lewis Rawsthorn, who swivelled and despatched unerringly past Render. Two all, with four to play. Would the Blues stick or twist?

The answer was twist. Going in search of the winning goal, Trinity rallied. Trinity regrouped. And Trinity went again. Sean Tse denying Hamish Douglas a sight of goal, after the centre back had stayed up following a Trinity corner, he made a back post run. He was picked out. But as he chopped back inside, Tse recovered to block off the on loan Rotherham man’s route to goal.

Finishing the game in a more advanced wing back position, Hornshaw got himself forward, and tenacious play saw him keep possession for Trinity, before getting the ball back from Joe Stacey and delivering into the box, he picked out Southwell, who grabbed his fourth goal in five games. A composed finish, one touch and finish, turning sharply in the box to fire beyond Radcliffe’s substitute ‘keeper Brad Sullivan. Bringing down the curtain on Trinity's season in style. And finishing his stop-start season with a well taken double.

Six home wins, in six at the end of the season. And seven in eight in 2024, seeing the Kal Group Stadium, under Russ Wilcox becoming something of a fortress. Victories against two of the four sides finishing in the play-offs, and the eventual Champions. The second half to the season has certainly seen a turnaround in fortunes for the Holy Blues.

Now, as attentions turn to 2024/25. There are certainly reasons to be optimistic Blues’ fans!

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity

Dylan Wharton (Josh Render 56) George Hornshaw, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Hamish Douglas, Nathaniel Wallace (Cody Collins 87) Joe Stacey, Bobby Johnson, Dayle Southwell, Declan Howe, Fraser Preston
Subs not used: Jack Moore-Billam, Kyle Simpson & Tom Parkinson

Gainsborough goals: Southwell 49 & 90, Stacey 70

Radcliffe

Brad Rose (Brad Sullivan 81) Jude Oyibo, Jake Thompson, Rick Smith (George Mercer) Harry Brockbank, Alec Francis, Anthony Dudley, Sean Tse, Jordan Hulme (Ewan Bange) Lewis Rawsthorn, Jamie Morgan
Subs not used: Brad Jackson & Scott Duxbury

Radcliffe goals: Hulme 7, Rawsthorn 86

Man of the Match: Dayle Southwell (Gainsborough)
Attendance 884

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Ross Nicholls