Since the Holy Blues were last in action, Bishop has seen the departures of loan duo Harry Lewis (who has subsequently gone on loan to National League North side, Boston United, having impressed in Gainsborough Trinity colours). Fellow Scunthorpe United loan man, Fin Shrimpton has also returned to his parent club, with Shrimpton featuring in a couple of first team fixtures for the Iron in the National League starting in his first game back, away at Yeovil Town. Both made a positive impression in the Trinity side, and we will look on with interest to see both continue their development.
Bish has been busy strengthening his squad. Following the departures. Coming in were midfielders Charlie Carter, from Mansfield Town, on a Work Experience loan, and youngster Bailey Conway, the ex Rossington Main midfielder, signed following a short stay at Billy Heath’s Alfreton Town. The new signings are undoubtedly chomping at the bit, having had to wait for their opportunity to pull on the shirt.
Bishop’s league top scorers, currently sit at the summit of the away league table, having amassed an impressive 24 points from the eleven games played on the road. The only blemish to date coming in fact, in Trinity’s last game on the road, the one nil defeat to Hyde at the start of December. Overall, the side sit well placed in third, approaching the start of the New Year
, hot on the heels of Hyde and South Shields.
Promoted to the Northern Premier League, Premier Division, Boxing Day’s opponents, Liversedge currently sit in 21st position, with seventeen points from their 21 games played this season. At home, in eleven games played, Sedge have won one game and lost ten. Their win coming at the end of November when they beat Guiseley by two goals to one, with Joe Walton scoring in each half to give Liversedge a 2-1 victory.
Liversedge have recently lost one of their leading marksmen, Zak Dearnley. The forward moving to league rivals Guiseley as Paul Phillips’ first signing having taken charge. Top scorer, Nathan Cartman has five to his name this season, including four in the league, with a brace coming against basement boys, Belper Town.
Away from home, Sedge have been harder to beat, avoiding defeat in more than half their fixtures, with four wins and two draws from nine games on their travels. The Holy Blues will be looking for a sizable travelling contingent on Boxing Day, as the side look to finish the calendar year on a high but in the absence of public transport, the Trinity faithful will have to find their own way to make the 63 mile (126 mile roundtrip) along the A1M and M62 to see the first ever meeting between the sides. The trip to Liversedge is something of an unknown, as we make the adventure to Quaker Lane, Liversedge.
So, pop the postcode WF15 8DF into your sat nav, and make the journey to see the Blues, in grey, (hopefully) end the year in style! Tickets can be bought in advance online here – prices including booking fees, Adult £11, 5-16 year olds, £3.60, Concessions (over 65s) £5.70, or Family tickets (2x adult and 2x children) £21.25. On the turnstiles, these will cost, £10, £3, £5 or £20. Definitely reason to make the trip and back Bish and Stampy’s boys!
May I, on behalf of everybody at the football club extend the warmest of wishes to you and your loved ones this festive season. Wishing each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas- and a Happy New Year!
Elsewhere
After a fortnight’s worth of whole scale postponements as a result of the wintery cold snap, we approach the Boxing Day programme with most sides having only played one game in the month of December. Hopefully the conditions are more favourable, as we head into the festive double header, that often see swollen attendances and action-packed thrillers. The planned Pitching In Northern Premier League schedule is detailed below, with the majority of games due to kick off at the traditional 3pm.
FC United of Manchester vs Ashton United
Guiseley vs Atherton Collieries
Hyde United vs Stalybridge Celtic (1pm)
Lancaster City vs Bamber Bridge
Marske United vs Morpeth Town
Matlock Town vs Belper Town
South Shields vs Whitby Town
Stafford Rangers vs Nantwich Town
Warrington Rylands vs Radcliffe
Warrington Town vs Marine
Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)