An early Declan Howe goal gave Trinity the lead in the Northeast back at the beginning of the season, only to see Hebburn fight back to edge the encounter 2-1, thanks to goals from Olly Martin and Amar Purewal. Plenty of water has passed under the bridge since then, with Hebburn sitting in the top eight for much of the season, to game week 32 in fact, but their season appears to have tailed off since their 2-1 win over FC United of Manchester at the back end of February.

Without a goal in four of their eight games since their win at Broadhurst Park, that has also included six defeats and two draws, with back to back away defeats (5-1 against Ashton and 1-0 against Prescot Cables) Daniel Moore’s side sit 14th in the table, closer to the relegation zone (five points and five places) than the final play-off spot (9 places and 18 points). A disappointing final third to the season, after the newly promoted side had started the season in such good form, looking to continue their upward momentum. Hebburn having come up as Champions from the NPL East, last season. The play-off winners, Stockton, seemingly holding their nerve, remaining in the play-off mix still now.

Fraser Preston is set to make his 99th appearance for the Holy Blues, and his 65th consecutive appearances. The Blues are once again without the services of suspended skipper, Dylan Cogill. He serves the second of his two game suspension, though Bailey Conway is back in contention having served his one match ban, picked up in the last home game. The Holy Blues will be hoping to add to the tenth clean sheet of the season, with another solid defensive showing. The defensive platform giving the Blues every chance of picking up all three points, with the scoring form of Messers Howe and Butroid. The duo having netted nearly fifty goals between them in all competitions this season!

Easter Eggs

Youngsters attending the game, can head down to Trenton’s Sweet Shack inside the ground and receive an Easter Egg, kindly donated by the Gainsborough Trinity Board of Directors. Bring your little ones for a great family day out (hoping the weather stays kind) have your photos taken with Trenton Dolphin and who knows. He may even have a special guest with him, the Easter Bunny!

Sponsors

Once again, we welcome a full house in terms of matchday sponsors. With over thirty sponsors looking to take advantage of our fantastic hospitality packages. We hope they all enjoy the football on offer this Easter Saturday, and hope they are already excitedly looking forward to next season and doing it all over again, next season! Extending a hospitable welcome to our Gold Match Sponsors, Wicked Event Water Services, ran by Kev Fisher, a life long Trinity supporter, and recent addition to the Gainsborough Board. The Winner of the 2017 Festival Supplier of the Year, WEWS have not forgotten their Gainsborough roots, as they once again take the Gold Matchday Package.

Silver Match Sponsors are JM Autos. Bronze Match Sponsors, Brexons, are our first team home shirt sponsors (the parent company of Elite Workwear, who have adorned our shirts for the last two seasons) and the driving force behind our thriving online Club Shop. There are plenty of exciting lines due to be added over the close season. And we encourage you to keep an eye on the Club Shop as these fantastic new products are added. We look forward to them joining us and soaking up the match atmosphere, before, during and after the game.

Thanks also to sponsor Darren Cobb for backing the Holy Blues with his sponsorship of the Match Ball. We hope that he enjoys his matchday hospitality, and the Holy Blues can pick up a hard-earned victory for him too!

Elsewhere

Mickleover and Basford United both had their relegations confirmed last weekend. With only one relegation spot remaining, from 13th down (FC United of Manchester) may still be nervously looking over their shoulders. Matlock currently occupy the final relegation spot, three points behind Whitby Town in the final safety spot. They’re on the same number of points as Workington and Bamber Bridge. Lancaster a point ‘safer’ And Hebburn in 14th five clear, before FC United on 50 points have a seven-point gap on the Gladiators.

At the top end, Ilkeston are only four points off the final play-off spot, but face games against Macclesfield on Saturday, and two sides fighting for survival, Matlock Town and Bamber Bridge in their final three games. Things look like going to the wire in the NPL, that’s for sure. Here’s the full set of fixtures for Game Day 40, including the two games set to be played on Good Friday:

FC United of Manchester vs Whitby Town (3:00pm Good Friday)
Mickleover vs Leek (7.45pm Good Friday)
Bamber Bridge vs Ashton United (Easter Saturday)
Basford United vs Hyde United (Easter Saturday)
Blyth Spartans vs Guiseley (Easter Saturday)
Macclesfield vs Ilkeston Town (Easter Saturday)
Matlock Town vs Worksop Town (Easter Saturday)
Stockton Town vs Morpeth Town (Easter Saturday)
Warrington Rylands vs Lancaster City (Easter Saturday)
Workington AFC vs Prescot Cables (Easter Saturday)

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)