Hyde have moved swiftly to fill the managerial void, with the appointment of experienced boss, Michael Clegg. The former Atherton Collieries,(twice) Warrington Rylands and Macclesfield FC (briefly) manager left the Colls recently, due to work commitments, but felt the lure of the Tigers' current plight, to lead them at the Northolme.

Rushall's win saw them open up a four-point gap on the relegation spots, with the last place taken by Tuesday’s visitors. Hyde are now two points from safety, with Morpeth currently occupying the final 'safe spot' thanks to their 1-0 win over FC United of Manchester.

Hyde have endured a torrid season to date. Clegg becoming their third manager of the season. Despite netting eleven more goals in the league, than the Blues. Hyde have conceded 50 goals, running at an average of two per game, in their 25 league games to date! Stretching back twelve games, to the start of November - and a 2-0 home win over Morpeth, winless Hyde have found it hard to maintain the form that has seen them up and around the play-off places in each of the last two seasons.

Despite another inactive weekend, thanks to Whitby's waterlogged Towbar Express Stadium at the Turnbull Ground, it wasn't the worst of weekends in terms of Trinity's play off chasing aspirations. Hebburn & Hednesford picked up one nil wins, but all the other sides that started the weekend ahead of the Holy Blues, dropped points. FCUM's aforementioned loss to Morpeth, Rylands going down 2-1 at Ashton & Stockton having to settle for a point after being pegged back by Guiseley: Russ Wilcox's men are five points off the play-offs with as many as four games in hand on sides in those coveted spots.

It really has been a start-stop beginning to 2026. When the Blues have been able to take to the pitch, they've returned the maximum six points, keeping back to back clean sheets. David Robson & his defensive unit will be looking to add a third successive shut out to the tally, providing a platform for Trinity to hopefully build on & record another three point haul.

Previous Meetings

In the last five meetings, Trinity have won twice, Hyde once. And the spoils have also been shared twice. Looking further back, Gainsborough at home have four wins, along with three draws - thus giving great cause for optimism. The sides are still to meet at the Project Solar Stadium this season. Last year, goals from Javelle Clarke & Dec Howe helped Gainsborough complete the turnaround after Jack Redshaw had opened the scoring early on. Giving Trinity all three points. In the game at Hyde last season - it was Dec Howe again for Trinity in a one all draw. Joel Amado with the Tigers' equaliser. Meaning it was four points from the two games against Hyde in 24/25.

Postponements are beginning to cause a somewhat alarming backlog - and if as expected - the Whitby game is slotted in where decreed - Trinity will be asked to play a mind boggling ten games in 33 days. That's a quarter of a season, in just over a month. For semi-professional footballers, juggling full time employment, families & the beautiful game. It's going to take one monumental effort from everyone involved! Strap in folks - let's get ready to rumble!

Match Sponsors

A special shout out to our Match Sponsors for the game on Tuesday night: Wicked Event Water Services Limited are our proud sponsors. Based in Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough. The local company has become an integral part of the Gainsborough Trinity family & long may that association continue to last. Enjoy Geoff & Steve's hospitality pre-game. And the football served up, on the pitch.

Keen to follow in the footsteps of Wicked Event Water Services? We would love to hear from you- so please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. where we can discuss the perfect package, to suit the needs of you & your company.

Elsewhere

Weather permitting, there's a clutch of NPL games scheduled for Tuesday evening, here are the ones:

Cleethorpes Town vs Whitby Town
FC United of Manchester vs Stockton Town
Prescot Cables vs Warrington Rylands

Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia) and Tommy Cox (@tommycox2003)