Former U21 forward Josh Fraiwald, wearing the number ten shirt for our hosts was first to fire on target. His free-kick from 25 yards, on target, forcing Battersby to beat the ball away from the danger zone. On the half hour, former Grantham full back, Sisa Tuntulwana opened his and Trinity's account for the afternoon. Fraser Preston and Lewis Butroid combined with a short corner. Changing the angle, Preston saw his initial cross blocked, Butroid reacting first to hang one up to the backpost where Tuntulwana got up highest to guide his header down.

Six minutes before the break, Ash Jackson delivered a sumptuous ball into the box. Only for Preston to get underneath the ball and guide his header over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Trinity did have their second. Preston turned provider, threading the ball through the eye of a needle. Trialist number 10 timed his run well, and made no mistake this time as he found the back of the net. Bringing to an end a near twenty pass masterclass through the thirds. A goal worthy of winning any game of football.

Half Time: Bottesford Town 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2

Despite a number of changes to the Trinity line up, a number of familiar faces began the second period. Josh Render replaced Battersby, while Cody Collins replaced skipper Dylan Cogill at the back. Youngster, Kyle Simpson replacing the Trialist number 10 as a number of other Trialists entered the fray, alongside Jackson, Johnson and Preston. And it was Johnson, who sliced open the Poachers' back line. And as Simpson made his run from left to right, he was able to dink a smart finish over the advancing 'keeper. A well taken goal - and Trinity were cruising.

Bottesford did come back into things a little, and got themselves a consolation thirteen minutes from time. The Poachers pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the park, and Lewis Smith advanced before dispatching past Josh Render from the edge of the box. Trinity reaffirmed their superiority and a sweeping move from right to left found Cody Collins galloping forward on the overlap, his devilish ball across the face of goal was turned in at the backpost by the Trialist number 16.

Another good workout for Russ Wilcox's Holy Blues, clad in their vibrant pink pre-season/ third kit. And another step towards Pitching In Northern Premier League opening day on August 10th. But before that and next up, Wilcox and his side entertain his former club, Scunthorpe United at the Kal Group Stadium on Tuesday night. The first chance to see the side on home turf. Please note the earlier kick off time of 7.30pm. Turnstiles open from 6.30pm. See you there!

The Team

Gainsborough Trinity: Ollie Battersby, Trialist, Ashley Jackson, Jordan Helliwell, Sisa Tuntulwana, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid, Bobby Johnson, Fraser Preston, Trialist, Joe Stacey. Substitutes: Josh Render, Cody Collins, Kyle Simpson and Trialists.

Gainsborough Goals: Sisa Tuntulwana (30) Trialist 10 (41) Kyle Simpson (52) Trialist 16 (84)

Match report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by Bryan Pye (@brypyephotography)