Four wins and a draw in the last six meetings between the sides. Three of those games ending with clean sheets for the Holy Blues, though little can be read into the form guides, as two games also shared fifteen goals! A 5-3 home win for the Holy Blues in the league, and a 5-2 Matlock win at the Proctor Cars’ Stadium in what turned out to be Neal Bishops’ last game in charge of Gainsborough.

Although both teams come into this fixture having conceded four at the weekend, the Blues in defeat to run away league leaders’ Macclesfield, Matlock were going down 4-2 away at Workington. The defeat up in Cumbria was the Gladiators first defeat in seven, while Trinity are without a win in the league since victory over Hyde United at the Kal Group Stadium.

In Matlock’s last three games away from the Proctor Cars Stadium, Ryan Cresswell’s side have shared eighteen goals. Two three all draws, at Morpeth and Leek and that most recent defeat to Workington. Russ Wilcox will be hopeful of a positive result, against a side that has undergone significant investment and evolution since the last time the two sides met, back in September, when Fraser Preston and Declan Howe were on the mark for the Blues.

Under Wilcox, Trinity have won the three games played against Matlock. scoring eleven, with two clean sheets and three goals conceded. The boss will be hoping for more of the same,but - will be under no illusions as to the difficultly of the task in hand. Matlock’s recruitment, since September’s reverse fixture, has seen them add experienced centre back and former Buxton skipper, Josh Granite. Ex Blackburn Rovers forward, Matt Derbyshire. And the experienced Adam Clayton who appeared for Manchester City as a youngster, before spells at Leeds United and Middlesborough. A number of other additions, make Cresswell’s side almost unrecognisable from the team beaten by the Holy Blues in the second week of September.

This game represents an opportunity to record a first winning double of the campaign, and the lads will need your backing. So please, turn out in numbers and encourage, shout and cheer them on. Through the tough moments, and when things are going well. Sing up, sing loud. Be the twelfth man… Blue Army!

Club Shop

The Club Shop was restocked ahead of Saturday’s game, and there is still plenty available for Tuesday night. An extra incentive for those looking for a bargain, 2025 calendars have been reduced to £6, our special 150th Anniversary coins (in presentation box) are now available at £25 each. And the 150th Anniversary Badges are priced at £2 each, or free with purchases of over £30. Pop in and see Jed, Clare or Chiq in the Club Shop from 7pm, and hook yourself some cool Trinity merchandise. Wrap up warm with hats, scarves and gloves, or even have a rummage through some of the old programmes, and see if there any gems you can dig out!

Programme

Though there may have been a quick turnaround for the Matchday Programme team, that doesn’t mean we have scrimped on quality. We still have the contribution of boss, Russ Wilcox, the View from Carlilse Street. Ross Jackson asks the topical question, when is it not appropriate to be too honest? BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Dale Storey provides his column, and also looks ahead to somewhere new for the Holy Blues, but somewhere different for the Trinity faithful. Dale visited Stockton Town in the FA Trophy, when Boston United were forced to divert to Stockton on their trip to Gateshead!

We also have photographs from Sean at Foxby Media, both from Saturday’s game against Macclesfield and the Women’s Team Photo, from their magnificent 8-0 County Cup Semi Final victory over Boston Town! All this, and more. Priced at just £2.50 and available in limited quantities, on the turnstiles. Get yours, before they are gone!

Elsewhere

The only other game pencilled in for Tuesday night, is Blyth Spartans at home to Ashton United, a game that could see the Robins solidify their hold on a play-off spot. Or see the Green Army close the gap at the foot of the table.

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean at Foxby Media and Tommy Cox