With the Trophy focus for Wilcox, Pressman and Solts et-al, the league is temporarily put on the back-burner, meaning that come 5pm Trinity will be back up to having three games in hand on other teams in the division, as the schedule appears to do little in the way of reducing. The players can look to next week minus the additional workload of a game, Trinity not due in midweek action until Warrington Rylands visit on Tuesday 11th February.
Stretch back to October 5th, when the Holy Blues travelled to Northamptonshire and defeated then Southern Premier Central league leaders' Kettering in their own backyard. The Holy Blues' reward was another away game. A potential banana skin against mid-table Clitheroe, from the league below. That one successfully navigated as Javelle Clarke scored his first goal following his long term injury lay-off. A 4-1 victory earned a home draw against Chester. Declan Howe scoring the only goal on the game in a 1-0 win. Another National League North team was the reward as Rushall Olympic made the trip cross-country. A 2-1 win followed. And the toughest of tests was handed to Trinity.
Top of the National League, York City were next to visit the Kal Group Stadium. And once again Howe stole the headlines with the only goal of the game. So, from the Third Qualifying Round, the Blues have navigated their way through five rounds of the competition, to reach this stage. National League Woking, on the other hand, have only had the one round to get through. A comfortable 4-1 win over last season's NPL champions, Radcliffe, the two sides duelling it out on a Tuesday after the original date was frozen off.
Sponsors
We would like to say a huge thank you to our Match Sponsors, Harry Watts and Friends who have kindly agreed to sponsor our game against Woking. We hope you enjoy the hospitality this afternoon, and are part of a very special day in the history of Gainsborough Trinity Football Club, come 5pm. Also sponsoring the game as our brilliant Ball Sponsors Duncan Redhead and Phil Stainton. We extend the warmest of welcomes to the two of you.
Anyone else looking to get involved, and become a Match or Ball Sponsor can do just that by contacting Geoff Holmes through our website contact form. There are a number of different packages on offer, to suit all budgets, whether it is two people or ten, or even more, we can accommodate you. We really value your support of the Holy Blues!
Programme
Sisa Tuntulwana is the cover star of this week's Matchday Programme, thanks to Harry Cook, at Stockton. Inside this 36 page edition of the Holy Blues Review is plenty to read through and mull over. Where did Glen Cockerill start his playing career? When is enough, enough? Ross Jackson talks topical. Referee Abuse the topic of the day in this weekend's programme. You can hear from Russ Wilcox, Dylan Cogill and Matt Boles from within the club, while Liam McNulty gives an impressive update from the Women's team and their last outing, in Buxton! Dale Storey is at the game and he pays tribute to the players and supporters who are giving their all with the Saturday-Tuesday repetition.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale for the game, online, advanced purchases are encouraged, to save time at the gate. However, entry will also be permitted on the day, through the relevant turnstiles. The match has been segregated, with Woking allocated the open away terrace and a proportion of the seated, Ping Stand. Prices for the game fall in line with regular Gainsborough Trinity matches: Adults £13, Concessions £9, Under 16s £4 and U12s Free, when accompanied by a paying adult.
Home supporters are able to pay by cash or card. Visiting fans will only be able to pay cash. The game is settled on the day, with the match going straight to penalties at the end of the game. Russ Wilcox’s side are one of the lowest ranked teams left in the competition. But come 5pm on Saturday, that sleepy market town of Gainsborough, will be hoping the dream is still, well and truly alive.
Elsewhere
There are some big names left in the competition, and here are the other seven ties in the Fifth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy:
Aldershot Town vs Boreham Wood
Altrincham vs Eastleigh
Kidderminster Harriers vs Sutton United
Oxford City vs Forest Green Rovers
Southend United vs Sittingbourne
Spennymoor Town vs Boston United
Worthing vs Rochdale
Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)