Goalkeeper David Robson replaced the injured Dylan Wharton between the sticks. Robson making his third debut for the Holy Blues. In midfield, George Hornshaw came in for a rare start, replacing the almost ever present Jordan Helliwell in the starting line up, Curtis Durose replacing Javelle Clarke in attack. The first real clear cut opening came on thirteen minutes, when Ewan Bange couldn’t guide his header on target from Jack Baxter’s cross from the left. The hosts piecing together a good move that saw them sweep from right to left. The missed opportunity proving something of a catalyst for the Holy Blues, who seemingly stirred into action.

George Hornshaw was catching the eye, in the middle of the park. Mobile, he was getting around the pitch well, breaking up the play and looking to get Trinity on the front foot. Approaching the midway point in the half, some alert play saw Hornshaw step in and win the ball back, freeing Aaron Simpson down the right. His low cross, cleared over his own crossbar by centre back Adam Dodd. From the corner, Ashley Jackson couldn’t direct his effort goalwards, as the ball dropped kindly for the fullback, inside the box.

Simpson was again able to raid down the right, but a bobble, just as he was about to strike the ball, saw the chance to provide, pass the Blues by. On the other flank, Fraser Preston combined well with Jackson. Ash taking a touch and crossing left footed all in one motion. His ball in found Lewis Butroid, and his snapshot was straight at Charlie Casper. There was a let off at the other end, for the Holy Blues. The experienced Simon Grand unmarked, firing wide of Robson’s goal after Bange had flicked on Michael Potts’ freekick.

Declan Howe looked to fashion a shooting opportunity for himself as he drifted out to the left. But his ferocious shot was bravely blocked by the home defence. Bailey Conway and Fraser Preston then combined. With Preston shooting straight at Casper, before Preston again found the target. This time from a thirty yard freekick, that beat the wall, but not Casper, just before half time. And a fairly muted first half, ended goal-less.

Half Time: Bamber Bridge 0 Gainsborough Trinity 0

The Blues started the second half positively, looking to camp inside the home sides’ half. Jackson firing straight at Casper, from range. But ten minutes in, the hosts had the lead through Bange. Raf Cirino’s throw in found Potts, who kept the ball in, before delivering a ball into the former Blackpool, Hyde United and Radcliffe centre forward. And he made no mistake, timing his run to the near post, and sweeping past Robson to open the scoring.

Aaron Simpson then had to be alert defensively. With Cirino growing into the game at full back, he was involved again for Brig, when he sent Potts through, to cross for Cleary. The dummy falling kindly for Bange, who under pressure from Simpson, fired narrowly over the top.

Howe was toiling away, for Trinity, but getting very little change out of the experienced pairing of Simon Grand and Adam Dodd. On one occasion, Trinity’s top scorer looked to have gotten the better of Dodd, but the former FC United of Manchester man, managed to get back goal side. And invited the challenge of Howe. Deemed to be a foul by Mr Roots.

Potts again combined with Cirino, as this time the Bamber Bridge captain invited Cirino forward. The shooting opportunity opened up, and the attacking full back struck the outside of the post, with just under twenty minutes to play.

Two substitutes combined, seven minutes from time. Javelle Clarke’s Crossfield ball finding Jordan Hallam. The man, on loan from Basford, firing a volley goalwards. Charlie Casper equal to the effort, as the flag went up late on the far side. Trinity looked to bombard the box late on. A couple of Sisa Tuntulwana long throws causing some nervy moments for the home support. But Grand and goal scoring Bange worked hard to prevent anything coming of the Blues’ late pressure.

And after three minutes added time, Bamber Bridge had just about done enough to ease themselves three points clear of the drop zone, as the Holy Blues slipped a place to eighth. Adam Porter’s 88th minute equaliser for Leek Town meaning Morpeth would only gain the one point advantage over Russ Wilcox’s men, going into the final month of the season.

Five games remain. Fifteen points up for grabs. Two away games, and three at home. There’s still plenty of the season to go. And plenty of opportunities to get behind your team, Gainsborough Trinity. Starting next Saturday, at home to Prescot Cables. Russ and the boys will be determined to get back to winning ways once more. Join us at the Kal Group Stadium, as they give it their all.

The Teams

Bamber Bridge: Charlie Casper, Jack Baxter, Adam Dodd, Simon Grand, Liam Brockbank, Chris Churchman, Michael Potts, Ewan Bange, Robbie Cleary (Will Russ 73), Patrick Jarrett. Subs not used: Mark Cullen, Emerich Poilly, Alex Kenyon and Billy Bould.

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson (Sisa Tuntulwana 72), Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway (Jordan Hallam 80), Will Lancaster, Charlie Hickingbottom, Lewis Butroid (Bobby Johnson 68), George Hornshaw (Javelle Clarke 62), Curtis Durose (Jordan Helliwell 62), Declan Howe, Fraser Preston.

Bamber Goal: Ewan Bange (55)
Attendance: 469

Match Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by Ruth Hornby, courtesy of Bamber Bridge