Two men made their second debuts for Trinity in the league curtain raiser, with the returns of Hayden Cann and Liam Waldock. Cann joining on a season long loan from Lincoln City, while Waldock was a permanent capture in the summer following his exit from Sheffield Wednesday. Despite the number of debutantes, Trinity in their grey change kit, began like a runaway train. Rylands, kicking off, got the game under way, but straight from the referee's first whistle, Tom Cursons looked to press. Winning the ball back, he was able to power to the by-line and cut back a dangerous ball. Donaldson was unable to provide the finishing touches at the back post - and Trinity led, inside eleven seconds.
The home side looked to establish a foot hold in the game - and played some good football moving the ball quickly down their left hand side. Matt Yates was called into action, making a stunning save to keep Trinity in front. And that stop gave the visitors confidence to go looking for a second.
Cursons, who had already laid on the first, was again involved as he chased a lost cause. Under the close attentions of the the former Met Police forward, Adam Buxton mis-judged the bounce and inexplicably batted the ball away from the danger-zone, with his hand. The referee given no alternative other than to point to the spot. Skipper Andrew Wright stepped up from twelve yards and
cooly (any use of this word, in this report is seriously questionable) sent Sam Tickle the wrong way to double the Trinity advantage. And in doing so, becoming the second debutant of the afternoon to score, so far...
The hosts did come more into the game as they looked for a way of reducing the deficit before half time. Kane Drummond looked lively, but as he was forced to drop deep into his own half, Gainsborough had a game plan, and they executed it brilliantly to stifle the home side. Matt Yates' goal rarely being tested.
Half time: Warrington Rylands 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2
Bishop and Parkinson's side weren't quite as fast out of the traps in the second half, having to wait four minutes into the second period to add to their tally. The impressive Ethan Bojang whipping in a delightful free-kick to the near post, where veteran Clayton Donaldson made it three with a close range header that gave Tickle no chance. A Holy Trinity - or at least a trio of Trinity debutants on the mark!
A brave defensive header saw Bojang clear the danger as he got round on the cover, dealing well with the threat of the bigger forward, who had a run on the full back. That, and a couple of routine gathers from Yates, between the sticks, ensured the Holy Blues came out unscathed.
With Donaldson a willing runner, leading the line brilliantly, supported by Cursons and Dyche - and backed up in the midfield engine room by the thankless running of Wright, Waldock and youngsters Warne and Durose, every man played their part. To their credit, Rylands didn't stop running, didn't stop probing - but Gainsborough held firm. Dealing well with anything that the home side threw at them. Cann and Rice, and latterly Neal Bishop (who came on four the final quarter of an hour) ensuring the visitors preserved their three goal advantage. And could enjoy starting the season, sitting top of the table.
There's a long way to go in the league, it's only game day one.. but the Trinity faithful deserve to wake up on Sunday morning with a little smile on their faces: Pleased to start the season with an away day victory, after the toils on the road last season. Next, we welcome Hyde United to the Dave Longstaff Martin and Co Arena. Tuesday evening, kicking off at 7.45pm we would love as many of you as possible to join us, as we look to pick up our first three points of the season on Woody's lush Northolme playing surface. See you there!
The Teams
Warrington Rylands: Sam Tickle, Kyle Hayde (James Barrigan 58) John Hunt, James Neild, Joshua Langley (Aaron Morris 22’) Adam Buxton (David Webb 50’) Stephen Irwin, Andrew Scarisbrick, Ryan Brooke, Callum Dolan, Kane Drummond. Subs not used: Jak McCourt, Samuel Egerton
Gainsborough Trinity: Matt Yates, Ethan Bojang, (Neal Bishop 77) Joseph West, Mackenzie Warne (Curtis Durose 53) Hayden Cann, Isaac Rice, Jack Dyche (Darius Smith 51) Liam Waldock, Clayton Donaldson, Andrew Wright, Tom Cursons. Subs not used: Masai Arbouin and Mo Gashi
Goals: Jack Dyche (1), Andrew Wright (13), Clayton Donaldson (49)
Bookings: Ethan Bojang and Matt Yates
Referee: Majid Ali
Assistants: Brandon Blackham and Ben Brighton
Attendance: 535
Match report written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos captured by Russell Dickens (@bozola900)