Trinity’s win against Corby, actually marked Russ Wilcox’s fiftieth victory in charge of the Holy Blues. An impressive statistic for the experienced boss, who has only overseen 97 games so far. A win rate standing at 52% and one he will be hopeful of increasing, with victories in the next couple of weeks.

Announced at 3pm, Wilcox has boosted his attacking options, with the signing of Daniel Vanderpuye from county neighbours, Lincoln City. A raw, exciting, youngster, 17 year old forward Vanderpuye can play anywhere across the front line and gives Trinity another dimension.

Prior to the game, the August Player of the Month trophy will be presented to one of the shortlisted quartet. The four nominations of Harrison Beeden, Javelle Clarke, Jonny Margetts & Lewis Butroid, have all taken it in turns to lead the pack, across the week. And with voting set to close at 19:00 (Friday) there is still time to register your vote for the month. Who will win it this time around?

The Opposition | The Yellows have really struggled to adapt to life back in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier Division, since their relegation from National League North. Wholesale squad changes were always likely to take time to bed in, but after five games (one less than the majority of the other sides in the division due to the Widnes’ effect) Warrington Town find themselves on four points, with a win and a draw, supplemented by three defeats. Their games at home have yielded all their points, to date. Defeats on the road coming against Hednesford (2-1), Whitby Town (4-0) and Leek Town (3-1).

Manager Paul Carden, who returned to the club in September 2024, had previously managed the Yellows for five years, between 2016-21, before departing to take the job at AFC Telford United. He just kept the team up, having started with the team bottom of the table. He left there the following October, just a few short months later, with the side rooted to the foot of the table.

46 year old Carden, would have been hoping that the FA Cup fixtures will have served as a welcome break and distraction from the start to the league campaign, but a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Bamber Bridge will have hurt both him, and his team. And the Holy Blues will be mindful that a wounded animal could pose a tough test.

Previously | Since 2019, Warrington Town have beaten the Holy Blues, four times, but Trinity haven’t tasted defeat since September 2021. Two draws and a Liam Waldock, inspired double, got Gainsborough all three points, the last time the sides player, at Cantilever Park, Trinity will be targeting a first victory on the Northolme against the Yellows, in Russ’ first game against Warrington Town, whilst at the helm of the Holy Blues.

Matchday Programme | Javelle Clarke is the cover star for this week’s action packed Matchday Programme, produced in association with our friends at Matchday Creative. The full colour programme, including images by Sean Cook & Tommy Cox, capture some of our amazing fans that have followed us to the likes of Corby & Cleethorpes.

Alongside lines like ‘it’s just bad parenting’ penned by Ross Jackson, who looks at the shift in player power, instigated by some of the big names in this Summers’ transfer window, to fondly looking back on years gone by, Steve Andrews & Phil Anderson, lead us down memory lane. Dale Storey & Jamie Johnson are our other regular contributors. Russ and Bobby continue their excellent columns, that help us get under the skin of our Gainsborough lads. Plus plenty of reading about this weekend’s opponents, Warrington Town.

It really is a packed edition of the Holy Blue Review, so pick your up from the turnstiles. Priced at £2.50 a copy – together – we can keep the printed programme alive and kicking!

Elsewhere As teams return to Pitching In Northern Premier League football, after a break for Emirates FA Cup action, here is a breakdown of all of the fixtures in the Premier Division of the NPL:

Bamber Bridge vs Workington
FC United of Manchester vs Cleethorpes Town
Gainsborough Trinity vs Warrington Town
Hebburn Town vs Hyde United
Ilkeston Town vs Whitby Town
Leek Town vs Guiseley
Prescot Cables vs Morpeth Town
Rushall Olympic vs Lancaster City
Stockton Town vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
Warrington Rylands vs Hednesford Town

Ashton United not in action, due to Widnes’ resignation

Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Tommy Cox