Trinity boss, Russ Wilcox made two changes to his starting eleven. Javelle Clarke coming in for his first start of the season, since the opening day. Theo Williams starting on the bench. Goalkeeper David Robson was back between the sticks, having served his two-match suspension. Archie Howard joining Williams amongst the change options.

Fraser Preston was well and truly on his game, going close to opening the scoring inside the first couple of minutes. Javelle Clarke showing short for a Lewis Butroid corner, it cumulated in a fizzing, rising drive that was narrowly past the angle of post and bar.

This early action sprung the visitors into life, and they saw a lot more of the ball, but the Blues stood firm, before again growing into the game as an attacking force. Mesmeric skills from Preston, twisting and turning, allowed him to open the play up. Finding Butroid, on the left, he swung in a dangerous ball – that was just to high, for the on-rushing Blues’ attackers.

Connor Brown was well placed, but his finish lacked power, after an incisive passing move came to a close with Butroid ghosting in off the left, and delivering right footed, before the returning Robson and his defensive line put bodies on the line. Robbo making a brave double save, down at the feet of Cam Eubank. The Brakes central midfielder booked, as his actions caused an angry flashpoint.

Cards would become the order of the day, as the Brakes’ frustration grew. The Leamington gaffer finding himself carded midway through the first half for an angry outburst. He was followed shortly after by attacking left back, Nathan Kabeya, who found himself carded for simulation, as he cut in off the left and opened his body up, before going to ground, inside the box, in a good position. At the other end, less than two minutes later, Ben Blythe found himself in the notebook, for Trinity. The Referee pointing at the Kabeya incident moments earlier. It seemed harsh, the Gainsborough man seemingly losing his footing on the edge of the box – no more.

On the half hour, Preston wriggled free & stood up a cross to the back post. Looking for Connor Brown, there was just too much height on the ball. The offside flag up in any case. Fraser though, continued to be at the heart of all things positive for the Holy Blues. Trinity were now starting to play some lovely football, and deservedly took the lead on 37 minutes. Javelle Clarke, marking his return to the starting eleven with a goal. Connor Brown timed his run brilliantly, racing away down the left hand side. Crossing for his strike partner, who slid in to be beat Brian Okonkwoo in the Leamington goal.

Two minutes after opening his account for the season, Clarke skipped into the box, winning a corner. Trinity looking to keep up the pressure and intensity. A lovely turn in the box from Connor Brown, to make room – he saw his shot blocked – as the Blues’ corner tally grew. Brown again going close as Trinity found themselves with two men over at the back post. Butroid met that one at the near post, but couldn’t direct his header on target. Preston then teed up Butroid, who’s low skimming effort was cleared off the line, with the ‘keeper beaten.

Lewis wouldn’t have long to wait though. Scoring from the spot, a minute before half time, after excellent work from Jordan Helliwell. Trinity’s all action midfielder with some clever play on the left, skipped past Ja Fridye-Harper, with the former Telford man bundling Helliwell to the ground, giving the man in black, no choice other than to point to the spot. Butroid taking the opportunity to double the Trinity advantage, with both hands.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 2 Leamington FC 0

In and out of possession, the Holy Blues started the second half positively. Russ Wilcox’s men certainly had their tails up, but were disappointed to lose the impressive Helliwell just shy of the hour mark. He & Leamington’s Nat Kelly, both fully committed, flew into a 50/50 midway inside the Gainsborough half, Helliwell there a fraction earlier, taking the brunt of the bigger man’s frame. Forcing the early introduction of Elliott Whitehouse. The break in play whilst Helliwell received treatment and was subsequently replaced saw a raft of substitutions. Leamington making a triple change. One of whom, Owen Farmer, the Brakes’ longest serving players, soon found himself in the notebook having voiced his displeasure at a decision.

The visitors’ fresh legs saw them ask one or two questions. Harrison Beeden, Jack Leckie, substitute Whitehouse & Robson all dealing with the balls into the box in assured fashion. Eubank’s effort from the angle lacked power, before Preston again came into his own, inches away from completing a superb give and go with Clarke.

Harvey Sutcliffe then released Brown down the right hand side. His clever run from left to right causing the visitors’ defence problems. His effort flashing across the face of goal, with Preston throwing himself at the ball – just unable to connect. A number of Trinity changes were made, including the first minutes of the season for the returning Aaron Simpson, didn’t deter the quality Trinity demonstrated on the ball – Whitehouse, Preston & Brown combining brilliantly to free Theo Williams down the right. As the game ticked towards a conclusion, the clean sheet became the primary objective. Leamington asking questions from a number of balls into the box. Callum Cockerill-Mollett getting round the back – but unable to trouble Robson.

And in stoppage time, Fraser Preston was able to put the icing on the cake of a fine performance. Again providing the assist, Connor Brown got in down the right. Found the Trinity number eleven, who checked onto his left and sent a low curling effort beyond Okonkwo to make it three for Trinity, on Russ Wilcox’s 150th game in charge. A tenth Tuesday night home victory from sixteen games, under the Northolme lights, for the Trinity manager.

Now, back to that clean sheet. Robson did brilliantly to force the Leamington man wide. He had support – but Trinity were determined to record that shutout. And Beeden did well to throw his body in the way – there was still time for the Brakes to be reduced to ten men, when Farmer received his marching orders for a second yellow deep in added time. Bringing to a close a perfect night for the hosts, and a frustrating one for our visitors. Trinity setting up a home tie with Antsey Nomads, the tie forcing Trinity’s home game with Curzon Ashton to be postponed. A new date will be advised for that one, in due course.

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Harvey Sutcliffe, Ben Blythe (Ashley Jackson 69) George Hornshaw (Aaron Simpson 81) Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell (Elliott Whitehouse 58) Javelle Clarke (Theo Williams 74) Connor Brown, Fraser Preston (Ashton Offler 90+2)
Subs not used: Archie Howard & Lewis Greenfield
Gainsborough goals: Javelle Clarke 37, Lewis Butroid 44 (pen) Fraser Preston 90+1

Leamington FC: Okonkwo, Fridye-Harper, Cockerill-Mollett, Kelly, Eubank (Arthur 86) Wreh (Wright 58) Finn, Walters (Farmer 58) Rea (Tonge 58) Belmonte (Fuseini 78) Cabeya.

Referee: Shemanky Own
Report written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)