Televised live on the BBC, away at Harrogate Town two seasons ago, Trinity suffered a narrow defeat in front of the national cameras. With Harrogate going on to draw Premier League side, Leeds United. The first time in 72 years the Holy Blues had reached Round 2 & after that incredible night in Staffordshire. Triumphant after trailing 3-0 and 4-3. Remarkable scenes.
Last season the Blues made it onto TNT, losing to Accrington Stanley after extra time. Paddy Madden's (offside) opening goal robbing Trinity of a memorable cup shock. Fine margins, as they say!
Will Trinity be able to make it a hat trick of successive first round reaches? Having overcome a tricky banana skin tie, away to Sherwood Colliery in the first qualifying round, thanks to goals from Fraser Preston, Connor Brown & Theo Williams (2) Standing in tbeir way next is Leamington.
The last time the sides met in the competition was back in 2017. A third Qualifying Round clash this time. Trinity took the Brakes back to Lincolnshire having held Leamington to a goal less draw. Back at Northolme, Trinity went on to win the tie by two goals to nil. A Nathan Jarman free kick & Brad Wells strike late on, securing the Holy Blues' safe passage. Victory away at Harrogate in the following round set up a home First Round Proper clash too. But there I will stop the story for now...
Russ Wilcox's men will be looking to continue this season's journey on Saturday.at Scott Easterlow's Southern Premier League Central side. Having taken over from the long serving Paul Holleran (16 years at the helm) Leamington are currently 19th with one win in seven league games... at the same level as the Holy Blues. In their seven league games, they have found the net seven times, whilst conceding 13, picking up five points in the process. Two wins and a draw in their last four games has seen an upturn in their results. Including a 3-1 victory over fellow NPL side Ilkeston Town, serving as a warning that the Brakes should not be under estimated.
Leamington's compact pitch, at the Co-op Community Stadium will be another challenge for Russ Wilcox's men, who will be keen to get right back to winning ways amidst a September that only holds one home game, with four fixtures away from the Kal Group Stadium. A true test for the travelling Trinity faithful, who have backed the Blues away from home in tremendous numbers so far!
Match Information
Tickets can be purchased ahead of the game at the Co-op Community Stadium (Harbury Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV33 9QB) at a discounted rate. Please check out their ticketing portal to take advantage of the slightly reduced prices, which are listed in full here. On the day prices are shown in brackets after each category.
Adults £15.50 (£16)
Concessions £11.50 (£12)
Students £8.50 (£9) - on production of valid NUS Card
Under 18s £5.50 (£6)
Under 12s Free - when accompanied by a paying adult.
We are advised that ticket prices increase online at midnight on matchday - so these offers will be in place up to 23:59 Friday.
Elsewhere
All the NPL Premier Division sides' games in the Second Qualifying Round are listed, here:
Bury vs Workington
Buxton vs Ashton United
FC United of Manchester vs Ossett United
Leamington vs Gainsborough Trinity
Redcar Athletic vs Macclesfield
Warrington Rylands vs Chorley
Hebburn Town vs Guiseley
Bradford Park Avenue vs Lancaster City
Warrington Town vs South Liverpool
Emley AFC vs Spennymoor
There's just the one game scheduled in the league this time around:
Stockton Town vs Bamber Bridge
Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)