Connor Brown served the last game of his three match suspension, hanging over him from last season. So, Gainsborough boss, Russ Wilcox named an unchanged side from the one that disappointed in midweek. The message clear to the players, we can be better. And so they would prove.
From the kick off, Trinity showed purpose and endeavour. Theo Williams immediately looking to hunt down goalkeeper Dan Atherton, and put the flamboyant ‘keeper under pressure. Williams was then the target as Fraser Preston tried to thread the ball through the eye of a needle, after Jordan Helliwell had done well to bring a difficult ball down out of the sky.
Former Hyde man, Matthew Fearnley landed the first shot on target of the game. Dealt comfortably with by David Robson between the sticks, before he was spritely off his line to smother at the feet of Jordan Buckley.
United would go on to dominate the possession for much of the opening ten minutes. Matty Grivosti ghosted into space. Lofting the ball over the advancing Robson, and the crossbar, before the former Whitby winger Donald Chimalilo set himself for an acrobatic effort that sailed wide, and Fearnley saw another effort from distance beaten behind for a corner.
Trinity were having to absorb some early United pressure after turning the hosts around, at the coin toss, but with the Holy Blues first meaningful
attack – Gainsborough lead! Harvey Sutcliffe showed great strength and perseverance on the edge of the box, and Fraser Preston floated into space. Preston’s touch and composure settling himself, before lashing past Atherton, to open the scoring.
Buckley went into the Referee’s notebook on fifteen minutes. A strong challenge, over the ball on Jordan Helliwell.
Robson then had to be on his toes, and quickly off his line to take the ball off the toes of Le Fondre. The United crowd expectant. Midway through the half, Williams got the better of full back Matty Devine, down the United left. Looking to tee up Preston to the right of the area – Fraser saw his shot well charged down.
Buckley’s movement was asking questions of the Trinity back line, fashioning an opportunity, he dragged his effort a wide yard of the target. Grivosti was then wasteful with a corner won by Buckley, as it sailed over everybody and out for a goal kick.
United were still dominating the possession, as Chimalilo clipped the crossbar, when he was looking to cross on the run. Buckley & Le Fondre frustrated in the middle, after the winger had initially done so well to get away from Sutcliffe, down the flank.
Offler was working well out of possession, as well as in it. Thompson looked to pull the trigger, but his movement was tracked by Ashton. Charging down the United right back’s effort.
Moments change matches though – within the space of two minutes – the game could have been level, but instead Trinity had a two goal cushion. At one end, Robson produced a fantastic block to deny Buckley. Chimalilo picked out Buckley with a pinpoint cross. Heading back across goal, Robbo sprung into action. Spread himself superbly & left the United number ten wondering how he hadn’t scored.
And Trinity sunk United with a sublime counter attacking goal, Lewis Butroid & Ashley Jackson combined on the left, with Jacko brilliantly spotting Williams flying down the right hand side. Steering a wonderful switched ball from left to right, the fleet-footed winger galloped clear. Drew the advancing ‘keeper & slotted a composed finish past Atherton, for his first goal of the season.
With a minute to play, Robson preserved his side’s two goal lead. Declan Evans’ long throw found Adam Sudworth, up from the back, but his header couldn’t find a way past Robson, who at full length tipped the ball away from danger.
Half Time: FC United of Manchester 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2
Neither side opted to make changes at the break, but the game was over as a contest just five minutes into the second half. A cleverly taken Grivosti free kick played in Chimalilio, who squeezed a cross into the box – deflected by Hornshaw – just the right side of the post from a Gainsborough perspective, and behind for a corner. The ball was slapped goal-wards by Buckley. Quite literally.
Spotted by the Referee, he had little hesitation in giving a second yellow, and issuing Buckley with his marching orders. A moment of madness from the centre forward, which left his Manager furious.
With the man advantage, the Holy Blues began to dominate the ball. Hornshaw looked to drive into the box, but on his weaker foot dragged wide of the near post. Taking a deflection on the way through, before Sutcliffe looked to try his luck from range, but appeals for a corner were ignored.
Preston, with time to turn, invited Sutcliffe forward again down the right. Squaring inside for the enrushing Offler, Ashton caught his effort well, but like Buckley’s in the first half – it was always arcing away from the far post. Teasing, Preston then danced into the United box, squaring across the face of the goal, but no one in yellow could get on the end of it, as the ball was scrambled behind for a corner.
Picking up the loose ball, Hornshaw was able to drive forward, with no-one for company. The opportunity opened up – and with his weaker foot, he opened up the three goal margin. Adding to his goal in pre-season, away at Stocksbridge Park Steels. This one meaning a little bit more!
Russ made changes as the game ticked towards a conclusion. Ensuring all members of his team got minutes under their belt. Elliott Whitehouse one of those men, who played an important part in preserving the Holy Blues’ second clean sheet in three league games, when he was able to head away Paul Ennis’ added time corner.
Attention now moves swiftly to Stockton Town at home on Tuesday night, at the Kal Group Stadium. And the home comforts of the Northolme, as Trinity look to make our home ground a fortress. With your backing, we can make that possible – as we face two home games in four days, against sides touted by many to be up there come the end of the season. See you there! Loud & proud!
The Teams
FC United of Manchester: Dan Atherton, Matty Thompson, Matty Devine, Andre Wisdom, Adam Sudworth, Declan Evans, Matty Grivosti (Paul Ennis 71) Matthew Fearnley (Hamed Sidibe 71) Adam Le Fondre (Charlie Hayes-Green 81) Jordan Buckley, Donald Chimalilo (Aaran Pettifer 63)
Sub not used: Nathan Snowball
Booking: Jordan Buckley (foul) Sending off: Jordan Buckley (second yellow – deliberate handball)
Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Harvey Sutcliffe, Ashley Jackson, George Hornshaw (Elliott Whitehouse 81) Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid (Ben Blythe 80) Jordan Helliwell (Javelle Clarke 87) Theo Williams (Jacob McLoughlin 87) Ashton Offler, Fraser Preston (Bobby Johnson 70)
Booking: Ashley Jackson (foul)
Goals: Fraser Preston 12’, Theo Williams 41’, George Hornshaw 79’
Attendance 1,429
Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)