That was the Hornets’ first win in five, after a series of draws had seen them, temporarily, knocked off the top. Now eight points ahead of the Holy Blues going into Saturday, things are getting tight. As well as the game between the sides, Trinity boast two games in hand over the side from the North East! A look at fixtures involving other teams in the top eight, it’s current second placed side Hednesford, who on paper have the easiest of run ins. Only facing one fellow side in the current top eight. We all know there is no such thing as an easy game in the league this season though. So nothing should be taken for granted.

Saturday’s game represents one of three away games, out of five, from the remaining ten games, that are against sides in and around us in the top eight. Meaning our destiny, is in our own hands. Lots of the sides in the run in, will be playing against each other too, so points will be dropped & it will perhaps be the most consistent of sides that will emerge victorious, come the end of the season.

Just this weekend, Stockton (6th) host FC United (3rd) Bamber Bridge (8th) are at home to Hednesford (1st)… interesting times!

So far this season, in Hebburn’s fifteen league games at home, they have only been beaten once. Drawing four & conceding only 13 goals in those games. Averaging over two goals a game, their record is right up there with Hednesford. Their goal difference is by far and away the best in the division, at home. Plus 24, so that will act as a tale of caution.

On the flip side, the Blues have the best away record in the division, having picked up 27 points from fifteen away games. The best goal difference on the road, and are the top scorers on our travels – this one is finely poised. And with plenty riding on it, the Holy Blues will be hoping Russ Wilcox’s Away Day Kings, can prevail once again!

Previous Meetings

Last season it finished one a piece in the games played. An early season trip to the North East saw the Holy Blues fall to a 2-1 defeat. Dec Howe’s early goal was cancelled out in the first half by Olly Martin, before Amar Purewal (now of Stockton) won the game for Hebburn early in the second half.

The reverse fixture saw Trinity run out 3-1 victors at the Kal Group Stadium. A Dec Howe double & a goal from Fraser Preston was enough to see Trinity secure the win. Michael Turner got the consolation, at the start of the second half.

Earlier this season, Hebburn picked up all three points at the Kal Group Stadium. Missing a host of first team regulars, the Blues faced the Hornets at the wrong time. During their phenomenal ten game unbeaten run, where they won nine of those ten games. In fact – the Stockton defeat on Boxing Day, and Saturday’s loss away at Ilkeston, were their only defeats in twenty games, stretching back to mid-October. A tremendous run, that will need Russ Wilcox’s men at their best to upset the apple cart and boost the Blues’ own promotion aspirations!

One defeat in ten, since the turn of the year, sees the Holy Blues as the perfect opponent, and sees Trinity as the best possible side to inflict a second defeat in seven days – something that again, hasn’t happened since October. The Blues head to the North East, as underdogs – and need you to make the trip – and be our twelfth man (woman and child). Can you be the difference?

Match Information

Travelling to Hebburn? It’s the Trustmark Group Stadium, Hebburn, NE31 1UN. And our hosts have a great offer of free admission for all women and girls attending the fixture. As part of International Women’s Day, the Hornets opened up their gates to women on Tuesday night, and have extended that for our visit, on Saturday! Admission prices for everyone else are:

Adults £10
Concessions £8
Under 16s £2 &
Under 12s – Free.

Tickets can be bought in advance online, or cash/card on the turnstiles.

Away Travel Seats remain on the Supporters Away Travel Club, for the trip up to the North East. Why not save yourself the hassle of driving up yourself, take the strain off, and join your fellow Trinity supporters in making the journey. Less than seven seats are now remaining. Leaving Blues Club at 10:15am. Coach travel is priced at £20 per person.

Elsewhere

The Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier Division is supremely competitive this season. As already touched upon, ten points separate the top six. Ten points separate the bottom ten, while two wins will see any of the bottom seven drawn right into things! It’s getting impossible to predict! Here are the other games in the division, this Saturday:

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

Ilkeston not in action (Widnes resignation)

Player of the Month

A reminder that the Paddockwood Forge, Player of the Month for February, is open for voting now. All players to have featured during the month of February are eligible for selection. Who has impressed you the most during the month? Goalkeeper David Robson for his heroics, Frank Mulhern for his vital goals, Lewis Butroid leading with the armband – or Sisa Tuntulwana… continuing to do Sisa things. There are plenty of options & plenty of games to cast your mind back through the month. Seven games in fact! Make your selection & vote here:

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)