In only the third competitive meeting between the sides, Trinity have the upper hand after the first two. Jonny Margetts gave the Holy Blues all three points in the August Bank Holiday game, last season. Finishing from close range after Adam Crookes had helped on a Sisa Tuntulwana long throw. Back at the Kal Group Stadium, the Holy Blues won 2-0 with goals from Tuntulwana & Javelle Clarke earning the Holy Blues a double over the Owls.
Back to this season however, and whilst Trinity were beating Ashton United on Friday night, the other Ashton side Curzon, were inflicting a first defeat of the season on Cleethorpes. The Nash winning 3-1 away from home & nibbling away (a little) at our visitors’ insanely good goal difference of now, +15 from seven games!
A number of former Trinity personnel are involved with our Lincolnshire neighbours. Tenacious midfielder Bailey Conway was appointed skipper at the Owls, in the summer. He shares a midfield with Aaron Braithwaite. Jamie Bramwell spent a short period on loan with the Holy Blues, whilst Liam Hughes, who can operate at centre back or centre forward, with equal effectiveness is also in the Cleethorpes ranks.
A couple of emphatic score lines have certainly turned heads in the opening weeks of the campaign 5-0 away at Quorn and 6-0 at home to Whitby show an incredible ruthlessness. And Russ Wilcox
's side will be aware of the threat posed by the side from the east coast of Lincolnshire.
Until Saturday, the leading scorer in the league was James Blunden of Cleethorpes. The imposing centre back having netted five times in seven games. He has since been overtaken by Redcar’s Adam Boyes (6) & Avro’s Benito Lowe (8) as crazy scorelines dominated the headlines.
On Saturday alone, there were nearly fifty goals in the eight fixtures! Read the round up of the last round of fixtures on the website, here. Three points separate the two Lincolnshire sides going into the game, can Trinity wipe out the point difference?
Wilcox expects to have a fully fit squad at his disposal, going into this one, but will want the added boost of another sizeable home crowd to roar on his team. “Cleethorpes will be a really difficult game. They are the form team in the division, winning games and scoring lots of goals. Please turn out in your numbers - and give your full support to the players. The travelling numbers this last week have been incredible, and you haven’t gone unnoticed. Please bring more noise on Monday – and the group will go out there and give it their everything. Like they do, every time they cross the white line.”
Match Day Sponsors
We welcome our fantastic Trinity Travel Club as our Match Sponsors for the Bank Holiday fixture. A brilliant, newly established group, determined to help fellow Gainsborough fans to journey up and down the country, watching the Blues. Something that has been recognised by players, staff and directors, as having a hugely positive impact on the team, performances and results.
Thank you for all you do & hope you enjoy the game, and your afternoon’s hospitality. If you want to get involved with sponsoring the Holy Blues’ future home games. We have packages to suit all occasions – and all budgets.
From two people upwards, whether it is a Match Ball Sponsor, to the full Gold Match Sponsorship package, your first job is to reach out and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and check your date requirements! We look forward to hearing from you!
Blue Review
The fifth issue of our 2026/27 matchday programme, Blue Review, is available to purchase inside the ground. Priced at £3 a copy, the full colour offering is packed with reading material, including Ash Jackson’s Fantasy Football XI, made up of players he has played with and against in his career so far. Who does he most admire, who did he call a better version of himself?
We have regular columnists Jamie Johnson and Ross Jackson, from within the club, we also hear from boss, Russ Wilcox and skipper Bobby Johnson, the View from Carlilse Street & In the Programmes features, thanks to the brilliant Phil Anderson & Steve Andrews, plus facts, figures, opposition information & Ben Pages’ photos from Friday night’s victory over Ashton United in Action R3wind.
The glossy offering can be picked up at the turnstiles, with a limited quantity – so be sure to arrive early and grab your copy!
Elsewhere
Derbies galore fill the eighth game day of August, with some mouthwatering local clashes on the cards! Here’s the list in full, with all games kicking off at 15:00, except Leek Town’s game at home to Warrington Town with a traditional 7.45pm kick off on Tuesday night!
Curzon Ashton vs Ashton United
Emley AFC vs Guiseley
FC United of Manchester vs Avro
Hyde United vs Bury
Ilkeston Town vs Quorn
Lancaster City vs Workington AFC
Stockton Town vs Redcar Athletic
Warrington Rylands vs Bamber Bridge
Whitby Town vs Alfreton Town
Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images: Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)