Though only for a short period of time, as table toppers, Trinity have now had the taste of leading the pack and will be keen to return to pole position, but are under no illusions as to the task in hand, starting on Saturday. Now, with the sides sat in 2nd and 3rd in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, the two sides widely tipped to struggle this season, have both enjoyed productive openings to the campaign, turning a few heads along the way. Trinity particularly catching the eye with an unbeaten run away from home, stretching back to the final game of the 2021/22 season, and including victories over the likes of FC United of Manchester, Marine and both Warrington sides, Town and Rylands, averaging 2.4 points per game, on the road (and only 1.2 points per game at home). Blues’ boss Neal Bishop will be keen to continue the impressive away record, while continuing to work on a system to maximise the point return at Northolme.

The Tigers, have collected points more consistently, whether at home, or on the road, picking up 1.9 points per game at home on average, as opposed to 1.7 points a game, away from home, so far this campaign. Jack Redshaw leads the way in the scoring charts for Saturday’s opponents. Netting seven times so far this season. Other goals are shared around the side who have netted 27 times in 19 games, compared to the Holy Blues' 40 in twenty games. Interestingly, in conversation with Trinity's Liam Waldock earlier this week, AATM Media discovered that Gainsborough's second top scorer really is in fine goalscoring form having scored his thirteen goals in the last twenty games! Impressive form indeed for the former Sheffield Wednesday youngster!

Hyde are without two through suspension on Saturday. All action midfielder, Callum Spooner and attacking left back Javid Neavin – having picked up red cards in our hosts last two league games, miss the clash with the Holy Blues. Spooner was shown a second yellow shortly after, Redshaw reduced the arrears against Lancaster City, last Tuesday night, while Neavin also get sent off for two bookings, in the goal-less draw with Marine at the weekend, as the Tigers went three games without a win following their single goal victory away at South Shields. Can Neal Bishop’s Gainsborough Trinity extend Hyde’s winless run at the Project Solar Stadium, on Saturday?

Neither side will be wanting to fall away from new leaders South Shields, who still have games in hand on the sides just below them in the table - and with a game against the Holy Blues just over the horizon... this remains one of the tightest tables in recent history.

So, take a break from your diet of televised World Cup football, and get yourselves along to the Project Solar Stadium. It's real life, non league football... and you're in for a treat!

Elsewhere

There is a full schedule of Pitching In Northern Premier League football planned for Saturday, but with a variety of kick off times, so be sure to check the kick off times advised before travelling, if indeed you are taking in another match in the league! Unless otherwise stated, kick off is at 3pm.

FC United of Manchester vs Belper Town
Guiseley vs Morpeth Town (12.30)
Lancaster City vs Marine (12.30)
Liversedge vs Whitby Town (1pm)
Marske United vs Bamber Bridge
Matlock Town vs Radcliffe
South Shields vs Ashton United (1pm)
Stafford Rangers vs Atherton Collieries
Warrington Rylands vs Nantwich Town
Warrington Town vs Stalybridge Celtic

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)