Gainsborough Trinity welcomed Lewis Butroid back into the matchday squad following the birth of his second child, on Monday, while Jack Leckie was restored to the starting eleven. Ben Blythe missing out. Otherwise it was much unchanged from Tuesday night’s midweek victory over Whitby Town. Harrison Beeden again wearing the armband.

Connor Brown flashed an effort narrowly over the angle of post and bar, after a good move down the right hand side involving Aaron Simpson and Fraser Preston… but Brown wasn’t getting much joy out of central defensive partners, Jack Cowgil and Charlie Barks.

Chances were at a premium in the first half. Skipper, Beeden perhaps going the closest for Trinity, when he saw his diving header spectacularly saved by Emley ‘keeper Ben Bottomley, after good work by Javelle Clarke, down the left.

Late in the first half, Emley's experienced centre forward Diego De Girolamo spurned two excellent chances for the hosts. Beeden’s mis-placed pass saw Alex Kiwomya nip in. Cutting back from the by-line with, the goal at his mercy, he skewed horribly off target.

Minutes later, Emley countered, from a Gainsborough freekick, De Girolamo bursting through, but with the ball trapped under his feet – the opportunity passed. In added time at the end of the first half, Trinity were forced into a change, with Butroid replacing top scorer, Fraser Preston, before the sides went in at the break. Both sides having found it difficult to work the goalkeepers. The swirling wind, and smattering bursts of rain, making for a nippy afternoon in West Yorkshire.

Half Time: Emley AFC 0 Gainsborough Trinity 0

In the second half, with the wind at their back, it was the hosts who took the lead, within two minutes of the restart. Roving right back Rinor Ejupi reacted to a long ball down the right, lifting the ball over the stranded David Robson, to open the scoring. Emley went close to extending their lead when Charlie Barks saw his header brilliantly saved, by David Robson. Barks somehow managing to find the space in the box, to work Robbo.

Trinity made a couple of changes on the hour mark. Theo Williams & Frank Mulhern coming on, to replace Aaron Simpson & Javelle Clarke, but it was shortly after, that the hosts came closest to doubling their lead: Emley struck striking the bar – and Trinity were still in the game. Just. Joe Stacey’s long throw was helped on by Barks. His flick was met by Gabrielle Johnson – the former Guisley man, hooking onto the crossbar from point blank range.

The hosts continued to press, before Jordan Helliwell restored some calm on the ball, finding Frank Mulhern, who chipped the ball, down the line for Connor Brown to chase. He got the better of Barks, who bundled the Gainsborough forward to the ground. Mulhern stepping up from the spot. Levelling for Trinity, despite Bottomley’s best efforts.

Continuing to wreak havoc, Brown won a freekick, which Mulhern looked to take quickly. Cleverly spraying the ball into the path of Lewis Butroid, who would have been clean through on goal. Brought back, as Joe Stacey was cautioned, The more measured ball landed at the feet of Brown inside the area, and as he twisted and turned, Jack Leckie saw his effort well saved by Bottomley – but Beeden was on hand to net his third goal in four days & give Trinity the lead for the first time thirteen minutes from time.

Mulhern’s cushioned header into the box, was inadvertently cut out by the towering, Cowgill, diverting the ball agonisingly past the far post. Emley came on strong again, but through Theo Williams, Trinity had a willing outlet & he was brilliantly denied by Bottomley in added time, the ex Doncaster Rovers’ shot stopper, quickly off his line to smother at the feet of Williams.

Gainsborough were determined to see this one to a win. Beeden was martialling the troops, along the back

The Teams

Emley AFC: Ben Bottomley, Rinor Ejupi, Joe Stacey, Hayden Lindley (Joe Clegg 80) Jack Cowgill. Charlie Barks, Aaron Haswell, Alex O’Connor, Gabby Johnon, Diego De Girolamo (Kiyani Clayton 73) Alex Kiwomya (Coban Bird 82)
Subs not used: Adam Porritt & Jacob Hanson
Emley goal: Rinor Ejupi 47

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson (Theo Williams 57) Ash Jackson, George Hornshaw, Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Ronnie Kokkonis, Jordan Helliwell, Javelle Clarke (Frank Mulhern 57) Connor Brown (Harvey Sutcliffe 77) Fraser Preston (Lewis Butroid 45+1)
Subs not used: Ashton Offler
Gainsborough goals: Frank Mulhern 61’ & Harrison Beeden 77’

Attendance 424
Referee: Glen Hart

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Ben Page & Tommy Cox