Into Battle: Trinity Head to Derbyshire

Eleven points clear of the drop zone, Russ Wilcox's Holy Blues will be looking to extend that gap on Tuesday night, when we travel to Matlock Town in the Pitching In Northern Premier League. Atherton Collieries currently take the final relegation spot and in a slight twist of fate, are our next opponents (on Saturday). Our current run of three away games has seen games against teams around us, and the Blues needing to take points off the teams within touching distance, if we are hopeful of hauling ourselves up the table.

Details

Martin Carruthers' Gladiators have 34 points from 25 games, with a minus five goal difference, and without their main source of goals. 43 league goals have been scored with well over 50% of those coming from Jonathon Margetts. The former Trinity man netting 28 times in all competitions, prior to joining King's Lynn Town in the Vanarama National League North. Last time out, Matlock were denied a share of the spoils when Christian Sloan netted a last minute winner at the Giant Axe, Lancaster moving to within five points of the play-off spots in the process.

This game is set to be Part 4 of a gripping tussle between the two sides. Beginning with the Emirates FA Cup tie at the Kal Group, the Holy Blues put in a great showing, but just lacked the killer final touch. Half time substitute Karl Demidh took the tie back to Matlock after Joel Holvey had given Trinity the lead at the end of the first half. An up and down, rollercoaster of emotion followed three days later. Trailing 1-0 inside the opening ten minutes, Trinity turned the game on its head with two in two minutes midway through the half. A defensive horror show saw the Holy Blues exit the cup at the first stage, before then boss Neal Bishop stood down.

Early October, and it was time for the next installment. And despite Trinity's impressive home form at the time, few would have expected Russ Wilcox's men to have hit Matlock for five. Three goals to the good inside seventeen first half minutes. Trinity looked a well-oiled machine going forwards, set pieces being particularly effective as Dylan Cogill, Hamish Douglas and Ashley Jackson all got on the score sheet!

So, with a win a piece, and a draw so far, this one is the deciding game of four. Which way will the pendulum swing? Once again the sides are fairly evenly set in the table with five points between the sides! If you can't make the trip to Derbyshire, Rob Hughes and Matlock’s James Griffhis will keep you abreast of all the action, live and as it happens on the Gainsborough Trinity Mixlr Radio Station. Tickets for Tuesday night's game can be purchased online, adults priced at £12, concessions £8, 16 to 18 at £5, students with valid NUS Card at £7, children 10 to 15 at £3 and under 10s free.

Elsewhere

The only other scheduled fixture in the NPL pits the runaway leaders, Radcliffe against FC United of Manchester, a game that could see Boro go eleven clear at the top.

FC United of Manchester (15th) vs Radcliffe (1st)
Matlock Town (14th) vs Gainsborough Trinity (17th)

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photo credit of Lewis McKenna (Official Photographer of FC United of Manchester)