Elliott Whitehouse was named amongst the substitutes for the first time, against Rovers, as Jacob McLoughlin was selected at right back. In the absence of the unavailable Ashley Jackson. Harvey Sutcliffe showed his versatility as he slotted in expertly at left back. A familiar face was between the sticks too - backing up the defensive showing, as Theo Williams & Connor Brown were paired up top.
Fraser Preston won a freekick, taking it himself, he floated the ball to the backpost, where Jack Leckie had gambled, but couldn't quite provide that telling touch. Sutcliffe was settling into his left full back role, quickly. - as he looked to send the ball forward to Connor Brown on the diagonal. The young striker just not able to take the ball with him.
The lively Leon Ayinde had a first clear sighter of goal, but his effort didn't teouble the 'trialist' goalie. A couple of efforts prior had been well charged down by George Hornshaw & Harrison Beeden.
Jordan Helliwell then did superbly in his own box, turning away from two Rovers' players. Setting Brown & the Williams on their way - Trinity looked sharp down the near (left) side. Brandon Hanlan looked to isolate himself one on one, but Sutcliffe stood up well to the challenge, getting an important foot in, before Hornshaw wsd again in the right place to cut out James Husband's dangerous ball.<
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Trinity defended Rovers' first corner brilliantly. Back defending, Brown looked to quickly turn defence to attack on the counter - but caught late, the Blues' momentum was halted.
George Broadbent blazed a volley over the bar, when he raced into the box and got on the end of a cross from the left. Leaning back - he couldn't find the net. And Tommy Simkin had to react quickly off his line to avert the opening.
Ten minutes from the break, saw Trinity's best passage of play. Sutcliffe surging inside, Lewis Butroid drifted out to the left & sent over a deep cross, searching out Brown who had peeled off around the back. The urgency & interplay a flash of what the Blues could be capable of.
Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Doncaster Rovers 0
Ashton Offler replaced Jack Leckie at the break, as the visitors continued asking questions of the Holy Blues. Beeden & Hornshaw continued to throw bodies on the line, and do the ugly side of the game – scrapping to keep Trinity in the match.
Helliwell was withdrawn after taking a knock, giving Elliott Whitehouse his first outing, since his summer signing. Nixon tried his luck, with a thumping effort, that was always rising, before Hornshaw & Sutcliffe did brilliantly on the defensive. An attacking set piece saw Doncaster counter, but the duos recovery runs forced the Doncaster error, as the offside flag on the far side was raised.
Entering the final ten minutes, Wilcox took a look at a couple of trialists, as Brown and Preston were replaced. Hanlan flashed an inviting ball across the face of goal, but no one was up in support of the Doncaster attacker. Byrne missed a glorious chance for the visitors, heading over unmarked, before Ayinde fashioned a shooting opportunity, but it was comfortable for the Trinity trialist, between the sticks.
A couple of minutes from time, the trialist #17 looked to create room for himself down the right. Looking to centre, there was no one centrally for him to pick out. But the way he ghosted into space, in his brief cameo, was a pleasing offensive moment.
Offler was in the right place to clear off the line, as time ticked towards ninety minutes. Helping the ball up and over the bar. Determined defensive resolve, that demonstrated a desire not to be beaten.
The Holy Blues’ pre-season preparations continue, with a Tuesday night trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels. Boss, Russ Wilcox will be looking for the same basic principles on display – with the firm defensive foundations demonstrated, but will be looking for more from an attacking perspective, as the Blues continue to build towards August 8th.
The Teams
Gainsborough Trinity: Trialist, Harvey Sutcliffe, Jacob McLoughlin, George Hornshaw, Jack Leckie (Ashton Offler 46) Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell (Elliott Whitehouse 55) Theo Williams (Javelle Clarke 61) Connor Brown (Trialist 1, 81) Fraser Preston (Trialist 2, 81)
Doncaster Rovers: Simkin, Husband, Pearson (Pawlak) Broadbent, Hanlan, Ayinde, Byrne, Clifton, Nixon, Robinson, Pavan (Hodgett)
Unused: Bryant & McKie
Words: Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images: Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)