Workington are the hosts, coming into this one following a seven day break. Their last game, the same opponent as the Holy Blues, Blyth Spartans. Workington faced Blyth at home seven days ago and ran out 4-1 victors. Efe Ambrose, Rob Grewel, David Symington and Steven Rigg the goal scorers for the Reds. The visit of Trinity is Workington’s third home game on the bounce and fourth in five games.

A narrow 1-0 win against Hyde and the thumping of Blyth, sandwich a one goal to nil defeat at the hands of FC United. Overall, in the last six, Mark Fell’s side have won three and lost three, while Russ Wilcox’s Gainsborough Trinity are unbeaten in the same period. Winning three and drawing three and sitting fourth in the form table for six games.

The eight game table looks even better for the Blue Army. Trinity averaging two points a game, with a plus eight goal difference, giving the travelling faithful reason to head to Workington in confident fashion. A scan of the history books shows that November 2013 was the last time the side from Borough Park recorded all three points against the pride of Lincolnshire. And the Blues will be hoping to make Workington’s wait for a win go on, even longer!

More recently, back in November 2024, the Blues ran out 3-0 victors at the Kal Group Stadium. Skipper, Dylan Cogill was on the mark, with a rare goal, other goals coming from Jordan Helliwell and Fraser Preston, to give Wilcox’s men all three points, in front of 721 supporters. That’s not far off the Reds’ average attendance for the season. Another well supported home side, Trinity will be needing to turn out in numbers for this leg of manic March and help the boys over the line.

The two sides are separated by five places and six points, though Workington have played a game more. The majority of the Cumbrian’s points have come at home, double the number in fact (28/42) , but Trinity have won more points on the road, pointing to potentially, one of the games of the day!

If Russ’ side can keep up the pressure on those just above, with a positive result on Saturday, then things really become interesting, when Trinity return home on Tuesday night, for the re-arranged visit of Whitby Town. The Whitby game, the only game in the division, and representing the Holy Blues’ final game in hand, could quite feasibly see Trinity right up on the coat tails, with seven to play.

The 2024/25 season has certainly been an adventure so far, and as we go into the final stages, there’s still a long way to go, with plenty of drama. To finish, as I opened, with a nod to Cheltenham, the opening day’s drama, the well fancied Constitution Hill falling early, the dramatic late demise of State Man and the unlikely Golden Ace, coming out of the pack, this well shuffled dec could yet provide that winning combination!

Elsewhere

Two of the sides currently in the play-off mix fight it out, when Ashton entertain Stockton, Stockton occupying the final play-off spot. Rylands travel to Blyth, who made life difficult for the Blues in midweek. And the battle of the Tigers sees Worksop welcome Hyde. An interesting weekend in the division, here's the fixtures in full:

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

Match report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by John Hopkins