Pre-Season Game 5: Stocksbridge PS (a)

Gainsborough Trinity head to Bracken Moor on Tuesday night, in our latest pre-season test of a busy warm up schedule. Stocksbridge Park Steels, recently of the Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier Division, prior to their relegation at the end of the season, will provide another good work out for Russ Wilcox’s men, ahead of the new season curtain raiser on Saturday 8th August.

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Of the five warm up games so far, Russ Wilcox’s men have won two, drawn two and lost one. The one defeat coming against Enterprise National League side FC Halifax Town. Most recently the Holy Blues held a strong Doncaster Rovers, League One side to a goal-less draw, at the Kal Group Stadium. A game that saw Elliott Whitehouse make his first appearance in Trinity colours.

Whitehouse is expected to start on Tuesday night, at Stocksbridge, as he looks to build up his match fitness, ahead of the league opener, against Workington AFC. While Wilcox will continue to try managing the minutes of his other squad members, with the league start date fast approaching on the horizon.

Last season, in the two games, a Jonny Margetts double saw Trinity win away at Stocksbridge, before a 1-1 draw back at the Kal Group Stadium, meant the Blues took four points from the six on offer, last season.

Steels, under the management of Jordan Lemon have retained a good chunk of their hard working side, though did lose centre back Paul Iggulden to Guiseley in the summer. Another man following former boss Ian Richards to Guiseley. Stocksbridge were a hard team to beat last season, despite finishing bottom, it was their goalscoring that let them down.

Prolific lower league marksman Reece Clegg has this summer signed for Steels, having previously netted 40+ goals for Clay Cross in the 2024/25 season. He returned to action last season with Retford, after a spell out injured, but he will be keen to make his mark as he makes the move to Step 4 & it will be interesting to see how he gets on against the likes of Ashton Offler, Jack Leckie & Harrison Beeden.

Of their five pre-season games to date, Park Steels have won one, lost two and drawn the most recent two. Defeats (1-0) to Golcar and (2-0) to Guiseley, have been tempered with a (2-1) victory over Penistone Church and 1-1 (Dronfield Town) & 2-2 (Chesterfield) draws.

If you are making the trip to the scenic ground, where Jamie Vardy began his magical rags to riches adventure – you can use the postcode S36 2AN. We have been advised by our hosts, that admission prices for the game are set at: Adults £7, Concessions £5, Under 16s £3, and kick off is scheduled for 7.30pm.

Safe travels to all visiting Trinity supporters!

Words: Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images: Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)