Charlie Parks, a youngster from Lincoln City & former Doncaster Rovers prospect Ethan Harrison were both drafted in on the day of the game - giving the Blues a couple of options from the bench. Adam Crookes started at left back, whilst Aaron Simpson played his final game before his one game ban kicks in. Sisa Tuntulwanaa was asked to play a holding role in midfield, while Frank Mulhern, Jonny Margetts, Javelle Clarke & Fraser Preston all started.

The attacking names almost had the dream start, when four minutes in, Margetts headed wide when well placed. Sisa & Fraser linking well, before Preston opened things up to Mulhern on the left. His composure to pick out Margetts with a devilish ball into a great area, deserved to give Trinity the lead.

The Blues would be made to run the missed chance though. And inside thirteen minutes, Wilcox's men found themselves two down. A clever ball inside the fullback saw Will Lancaster gets across well to avert the danger, putting the ball behind for a corner. The Blues didn’t reset though, and the resulting set piece was diverted in at the near post by centre back, Jack Donaghy.

Trinity did respond, but Aaron Simpson’s ball in from the right was met by a strong Michael Turner header at the near post after fluid play from had found Simmo forward from right full back. And with that, Hebburn had a second. Ethan Wood arriving on time to slot home after a mazy run from Aidan Heywood. The visiting skipper able to pick his way through a couple of challenges, before the ball fell kindly for Wood.

Midway through the half, Frank Mulhern halved deficit. Pulling one back for the Holy Blues. His near post run, getting there ahead of the front post and rifling past Cameron. Another good ball in from Simpson from the right, following patient Trinity play. Dragging the #HolyBlues back into the game – and giving Mulhern his third goal in seven games – as he starts to find his rhythm in front of goal.

David Robson was forced into a smart save shortly after getting back into the game, with Trinity defending a couple of quick fire corners better than the first one of the evening. But Hebburn were looking dangerous on the counterattack and Adam Crookes found himself in the Referee’s notebook for a foul on Campbell Darcy. Hebburn winning the first contact from the freekick, but the Blues were able to clear the danger. Lancaster, guiding his header back to Robson, to tidy things up at the back.

Fraser Preston lifted the ball into the box with a weighted ball towards the penalty spot, Mulhern got up highest, trying to loop his header over Cameron, but he couldn’t find the target. Tuntulwana, playing in the unfamiliar central midfield role, with a license to get around the park, then stepped out down the left hand side, trying to force the issue for Trinity - the ball half cleared to Mulhern, who thumped one back towards goal. Off target though & nothing for Cameron to be overly worried about.

The game was becoming stretched as Robert Briggs attempted an audacious effort with the Blues caught in possession. The ball landing on the roof of Robbo's net as he quickly back-pedalled, while at the other end, Jordan Helliwell struck one from the edge of the box, that flew past the angle of post and bar.

Mulhern, who clearly had the bit between his teeth, then worked Cameron low to his right hand side. The ‘keeper up quickly to prevent the ball going behind for a corner. And five minutes later, he went even closer to doubling his and Gainsborough’s tally.

Trinity were enjoying a spell & were knocking on the door. A Preston near post corner was helped on by Mulhern. Cameron clawed despairingly at the ball, taking the sting out of the header, for the retreating defender to scramble clear.. but only as far as Tuntulwana who's quickfire attempt on the follow up was diverted behind for another corner.

Hebburn looked to hit the Blues on the counter, but Trinity funnelled men back behind the ball to divert the danger. Sisa looked to step on the gas again, as he made half a yard of space, but his side-footed effort lacked the power to trouble Cameron. The visitors were looking dangerous on the attack- but the hosts were looking like getting something from the game, when calamity struck on the stroke of half time, and Liam Murray punished a rare mistake from Robson. His mis-placed pass straight to the Hornets’ forward, giving Hebburn a two goal cushion going in at the break.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Hebburn Town 3

Following the interval, Trinity enjoyed a little spell, forcing a couple of corners, but couldn’t find a way back into the game. Some persistence from Jonny Margetts saw Cameron deny the Gainsborough front man, from a tight angle. And Javelle Clarke trying to stand up the cross from the left, ending up on the roof of the net.

Again, the Blues looked to mount some concerted pressure, but when a clear corner was given as a goal kick, a disgruntled Wilcox was carded for his protests, before Harrison Beeden had to extend a telescopic leg to deny Liam Murray, as a mad couple of moments came to an end.

Twenty minutes from time, any faint hopes of a Gainsborough comeback were diminished, when Hebburn added a fourth. Scorer of the second goal, Ethan Wood, was hugely involved in the fourth. Able to breeze past a handful of defenders, he was able to dig out a cross to the back post, that was nodded home by Martin at the back stick.

Murray then curled narrowly wide of the far post, and substitute Kian Foreman entered the fray. The fleet-footed forward, who recently joined the Hornets from Hartlepool, was soon involved. Racing away and letting fly. Robson holding the effort at the second attempt. The Hornets looking a dangerous attacking threat every time they go forwards.

Jacob McLoughlin (on for Clarke) & Mulhern then exchanged passes in the middle of the park, before Frank was able to release Simpson. He worked the 'keeper low down to his left, but the wait continues for Azza to open his Gainsborough account.

With six to play, boss Wilcox handed a debut to young Charlie Parks. The teenager, on loan from Lincoln City, replaced Helliwell for the final six or so minutes of the game. Slotting into the centre of midfield. Parks looked to add a little bit of quality, as he was able to stand a ball up to the back post - but Hebburn dealt with it comfortably as Trinity’s energy levels were sapped.

Decimated by injury and illness. The squad down to the bare bones. Players out there clearly suffering and under the weather, still giving their all, but ultimately a sloppy couple of goals, at key moments, fuelling a rampant Hebburn side. With Wilcox having to quickly turn his side’s attention to Hyde United at home on Saturday. Hoping that the bug that has been lingering around the camp averts, and that the group can focus on stringing some results together, to climb the table.

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson, Adam Crookes, Sisa Tuntulwana, Will Lancaster, Harrison Beeden, Javelle Clarke (Jordan McLoughlin 71) Jordan Helliwell (Charlie Parks 84) Jonny Margetts, Frank Mulhern, Fraser Preston
Subs not used: Ollie Sykes & Ethan Harrison
Gainsborough goal: Mulhern 21
Gainsborough bookings: Crookes, Wilcox, McLoughlin

Hebburn Town: Dan Cameron, Aidan Heywood, Michael Turner, Jack Donaghy, Matthew Elsdon, Ethan Wood (Kian Foreman 73) Arron Thompson, Robert Briggs, Gary Martin (Kai Charlton 82) Liam Murray (Joao Pedro Gomes 82) Campbell Darcy
Sub not used: Daniel Moore
Hebburn goals: Donaghy 7, Wood 13, Murray 45, Martin 70

Attendance: 367

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