Gainsborough Trinity 0 FC United 1

Gainsborough’s nine game unbeaten run came to an end with a 0-1 defeat to FC United of Manchester. The visitors netting the only goal of the game, ten minutes into the second half, and despite Trinity throwing the kitchen sink at the visitors, the hosts could find no way through, in the absence of talisman Declan Howe. With boss, Russ Wilcox deprived of the services of Howe, and the experienced Bobby Johnson, there was a first home start for Jordan Hallam, only the second player to don the number ten shirt in the Wilcox era, while Danny Devine also started his first home game since last season's injury curtailed campaign.

Details

Trinity started the game brightly with Fraser Preston picking out Hallam’s movement. The man on loan from Basford finding Javelle Clarke, but the attacker couldn't find the finish. Experienced Adam Le Fondre, looked to catch Dylan Wharton off his line. Receiving a quick throw in, he looked to chip the Trinity 'keeper from inside the centre circle, but the effort drifted harmlessly wide.

After Cogill and Sithole came together on the edge of the box. Charlie Munroe delivered the freekick into a dangerous area, but the Holy Blues withstood the pressure. And also capitalised at the other end, when keeper O'Keefe and centre back Rudy Misambo collided. Unfortunately the ball didn’t quite fall kindly for Lewis Butroid, hoping to pounce. Michael Donohue then broke over halfway and tried to slide in Declan McLoughlin, but the flag was up, a warning for the Holy Blues midway through the first half.

The best of the first half action was a tale of the two number sevens, as next it was Butroid to go close. Striking the inside of the post, when he found himself clean through on goal following a mis-placed Misambo header. In first half stoppage time, Dylan Wharton was required to save at full length to deny the lively Gerald Sithole, but that wasn't before Wharton had been at his best, to block a deflected header from close range. Adjusting his position on the line as Sithole looked to nudge the ball over the goalkeeper line. All coming from Munroe's dangerous set piece.

Aaron Simpson did well to track his man Donohue, making a couple of brave blocks to protect the Trinity goal as the FC number eleven cut in off the Carlilse Street stand-side.Ten minutes before the break. Hallam did well to bring down the dropping ball and finding Jordan Helliwell bursting forward. Helliwell wanting too long to pull the trigger - and the opportunity was gone. Sithole was being a nusiance. Looking lively, but committing a number of fouls, that had the Referee, Charles King pointing out multiple offences, but choosing not to brandish a card.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 FC United of Manchester 0

Soon after the restart, Jordan Hallam blazed over after good play involving Fraser Preston and Javelle Clarke. Clarke also saw an effort from the edge of the box, blocked by an Adam Le Fondre arm. Holding his face, the Referee was quick to pasue play. The guilty party quickly recovering. Shortly after, FC United had the only goal of the game. A clever flicked through ball from Sithole released McLoughlin, and he made no mistake, firing a ferocious strike past Wharton. The 'keeper unable to do anything could do anything about that one.

With just under half an hour remaining, Wilcox began to freshen things up. Curtis Durose replacing Hallam; Sisa Tuntulwana coming on for Simpson and latterly Bailey Conway replacing the unfortunate Devine. Grivosti went into the notebook for time wasting, the Red Rebels looking to run down the clock.

As time went on, Trinity had to throw men forward, with six to play, Durose who had looked lively, was spotted by Clarke. He found the substitute, but under pressure from the visiting defender, he couldn’t keep his effort down. Any shout for a penalty dismissed by the Man in the Middle.

Loading the box, Gainsborough pressed for a late leveller, with Wharton even up from the back, but United stood firm to go within a point of the hosts. Butroid unable to guide his header on target from Tuntulwana's long throw. And the final throw of the dice, six minutes into five added, saw Durose pick out Preston on the edge of the box, but Preston didn't trouble the keeper, as the ball spun off a blue shirt, behind for a goal kick.

The nine game unbeaten run coming to an end on Non-League Day 2025, in front of a seasonal league high Attendance. It just wasn't meant to be, for Russ Wilcox’s Holy Blues. Who must quickly dust themselves down. Rest and recover, as they're back in action again on Tuesday night. Taking on Whitby Town in the rearranged game in hand.

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson (Sisa Tuntulwana 71), Ashley Jackson, Daniel Devine (Bailey Conway 78), Will Lancaster, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell, Javelle Clarke, Jordan Hallam (Curtis Durose 62). Subs not used: George Hornshaw and Jacob McLoughlin.

FC United of Manchester: Connor O'Keefe, Matthew Grivosti, Guy Hall, Jan Palinkas, Rudy Misambo, Charlie Hayes-Green, Gerald Sithole (Jordan Buckley 84), Charlie Munroe, Adam Le Fondre, Declan McLoughlin, Michael Donohue (Paul Ennis 87). Sub not used: Joshua Miles.

Goal: McLoughlin (56)
Attendance: 872

Match Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by Sean Cook (Foxby Media)