Russ Wilcox’s side have been caught in the midst of a busy early season fixture list, playing two games a week throughout the relatively premature campaign. Trinity will be hoping to rekindle the performance that brought a clean sheet and impressive away victory at recently cash-boosted Matlock Town earlier this month.

Last week’s second qualifying round win over Grantham Town boosted the club’s coffers and booked a date with National League North side Darlington next week, bringing a feel-good factor to the club. Striker Declan Howe netted a brace on that day, bringing his seasonal tally to eight all competition goals.

Opposition Stockton are looking to rebound from their own 3-0 loss this Saturday. They fell to defeat on Wednesday night against Blyth Spartans. That midweek stutter quickly followed a victory over Marine in the FA Cup last weekend. Their results read like a similar rollercoaster to their hosts. The promoted side started well, winning all of their first three outings this term. Then, back-to-back defeats stunted their progress. Stockton now sit tenth in the table, with 12 points after the opening nine games. Meanwhile, Gainsborough sit just two points behind, in fifteenth.

In the early stages of this campaign, both sides have experienced their fair share of ups and downs. Now, they are ready for a chance to get back on the winning track in the Northern Premier League, with big FA Cup ties on the horizon.

Matchday Programme

36 pages packed full, and priced at £2.50. Exciting youngster, Sisa Tuntulwana is on the cover. There’s all the information about our latest opponents, facts figures, lots of wonderful photos from the fabulous Heather King.

Articles from Jamie Johnson, talking about the on-going complaints of those players at the top level complaining about their busy schedules, without a thought for those who work, train and play… BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Dale Storey talks about his steam train obsession… and some other interesting nuggets, while Steve Andrews dives into past programmes & Pip Anderson shares his View from Carlilse Street. All this – and more packed inside our latest edition produced in association with our friends at Matchday Creative.

NPL Fixtures in Full

Potentially the tie of the day in the Pitching In Northern Premier League is Guiseley vs Worksop Town. Two of the league’s big-hitters, it will be interesting to see how that one turns out, but there will also be a few interested watchers at FC United to see how Ryan Cresswell’s new look Matlock Town shape up.

The fixtures in full, here:

Ashton United v Prescot Cables
Basford United v Macclesfield
FC United of Manchester v Matlock Town
Guiseley v Worksop Town
Hebburn Town v Lancaster City
Leek Town v Ilkeston Town
Mickleover FC v Blyth Spartans
Morpeth Town v Hyde United
Warrington Rylands v Bamber Bridge
Workington v Whitby Town

Preview by Jamie Johnson & Rob Hughes
Images courtesy of Heather King Photography