The game started with Trinity making all the running, and putting their higher level opponents on the back foot. After treatment for the visiting custodian, Guiseley grew into the game. Jake Day nodded narrowly wide of the Gainsborough upright before he floated a header over the top of the Trinity bar. The Holy Blues looked dangerous on the counter, with George Cantrill taking matters into his own hands, when a purposeful Toby Gould surge was halted with a timely off the ball block. After consulting with his Assistant, Cantrill was yellow carded.

Trinity dug in as half time approached, Lewis Carr cleared off the line, and Jamie Spencer saw a speculative effort sail over the bar, those efforts sandwiching a Jake Day effort, that the former Tadcaster and Alfreton man should have done better with. Cutting in from the right, he pulled his left foot finish past the post. In the final moments of the half, Carr took the sting out of a Day strike, with the Trialist 'keeper able to comfortably save to his right. Before quick thinking from Bishop thwarted, ensuring the half ended goal-less. Half time, Gainsborough Trinity 0, Guiseley AFC 0.

Ten minutes into the second half and Toby Gould drew the crowd to their feet. A jinking run, saw him hold off four visiting defenders, before releasing the ball inside to Trialist Y, who curled a composed finish beyond the helpless Lambton, his final action before being replaced by Jack Gibson in a straight swap. Substitutions continued throughout the second half as both management teams looked at options and provided players with minutes in their legs, but still the visitors pushed looking for an equaliser and Trinity remained firm.

Former Blue, Jordan Thewlis looked lively in his half hour on the pitch, forcing the keeper into a smart stop that rebounded off Lewis Carr and looped over the bar. Trinity, with a lead to protect, had a plan and continued to dig deep. A corner for the visitors saw the Guiseley trialist centre back arriving late round the back, but he could only connect with his knee to send the ball whizzing over the bar.

Joe Wilson linked well with Curtis Morrison, to send the forward on his way. His effort always bending away from goal; it should have served as a warning for the visitors, but it wasn't heeded as little over ten minutes later the right sided duo combined again.

Morrison grabbed his second in as many games as he collected the ball inside from Wilson, before his run from right to left was too much for the Guiseley defence and his low shot too much for the Lions' goalkeeper. The strike allaying any late nerves as the Holy Blues went on to secure the victory and register a first clean sheet of the pre-season campaign. Full time, Gainsborough Trinity 2, Guiseley AFC 0.

Next up for Tom Shaw's young charges is the trip to Worksop Town on Saturday 31st August, which will then see the side just 14 days out from the start of the PitchingIn Northern Premier League season.

The Team

Gainsborough Trinity: Trialist Z, Joe Wilson, Cieron Keane (Bucci), Neal Bishop (Curran), Lewis Carr, Trialist B, Alex Wollerton (Trialist), Kyle Dixon (Jemson), Trialist Y (Gibson), Trialist G (Morrison), Toby Gould (Trialist)

Photo credit: Kate Simmonds (klsphotouk.com)