Game 14 Preview: Bamber Bridge (H)

Saturday sees us complete the busy period of what should have been four home games in a fortnight, with the visit of Bamber Bridge to the Kal Group Stadium. Unfortunately, with the loss of the Warrington Rylands game in midweek, Trinity find themselves with another game to squeeze into an already hectic schedule. But with the weather warming into the weekend, the Bamber Bridge game gives supporters the chance to send Russ Wilcox's Holy Blues off in style!

Details

A fantastic send off ahead of our historic Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie against Harrogate Town (Friday 29th November) would be a great boost for the Blues, so turn out in numbers, turn up the volume, and help roar the Holy Blues on to victory! Bamber Bridge have collected eighteen points from sixteen games so far this season. Winning five but losing eight. With 27 goals scored, it certainly indicates Brig have goals in their locker, but an average of two goals a game conceded, there could be an achillies heel for Russ Wilcox's men to exploit.

Lucas Weaver, with ten goals to his name, was leading the scoring charts for Saturday's visitors by the start of November, but unfortunately his form at Iron Gate caught the attention of last season's NPL Champions Radcliffe, and they orchestrated his loan from Altrincham being terminated, so that they could take him on a temporary deal. An obvious blow to Jamie Milligan's men.

Head to head, six wins for Trinity, with two (three if you include the penalty shootout Play-Off Semi Final) for Bamber Bridge, and a couple of draws between the sides, there is certainly plenty of recent history between the two teams. Most recently, Russ Wilcox's Holy Blues prevailed over Jamie Milligan's men away at Iron Gate. The day in Lancashire turning out to be a quite bizarre afternoon. The result only telling half the tale. An attendance of 500 plus were so nearly deprived of a footballing fix, but for the intervention of skipper Dylan Cogill and his defensive left hand man Ashley Jackson: they helped make the pitch playable and get the game on, with the help of 25 bags of sand from the local B&Q!

Declan Howe opened the scoring early in that one, before Jack Baxter squared things up just past the half hour mark. George Hornshaw restored the Holy Blues' lead, before Lewis Butroid's diving header in added time sealed the points for Russ Wilcox's men, with Bamber Bridge pressing for a late equaliser. Russ Wilcox's side will be chomping at the bit to get three valuable points on the board, ahead of their latest two week break for Cup action. The Matlock home game, scheduled for the 7th December, now replaced with the Isuzu FA Trophy home game against Rushall Olympic.

Sponsors

We extend a warm welcome to our Match Sponsors for Saturday's game at home to Bamber Bridge. Our sponsors who have come together as a show of respect and in memory of a dearly departed Gainsborough Trinity supporter: Jim Redhead. A massive thank you for supporting the Holy Blues, and choosing to keep Jim's memory alive and well in the place where he would love to spend his Saturday afternoons. We also have Darren Gray in the house. He's celebrating with his friends and family, and as ever, we hope they all enjoy their afternoon on the Northolme, at the Kal Group Stadium!

Elsewhere

Elsewhere in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier Division a full programme of fixtures is scheduled. And it is set to engage, entertain and excite, weather permitting! Please take the time to check social media postings from clubs before travelling. Take care and wrap up warm, if you are heading out to take in a game!

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

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)