Josh Render was again selected ahead of Dylan Wharton, who continues to gain fitness after a disjointed pre-season for the former Sheffield United stopper. The Holy Blues controlled much of the early goings, with Conway and Fraser Preston both forcing giant goalkeeper Dan Langley into routine saves. New signing Aaron Braithwaite endeared himself to The Northolme faithful with a number of crunching challenges in the middle of the park, as Gainsborough retained the bulk of possession.

Lancaster was dominating in both boxes, winning the first contact on balls into the Gainsborough box. One first contact lead to a sweeping Trinity move, where three successive headers saw Trinity sweep over halfway, the eventual cross from the right just too high for the waiting Howe, as the Blues switched from defence to attack in stunning fashion. Preston and Conway then combined, Preston’s deep cross to the back post attacked by the arriving Lewis Butroid, but the Gainsborough born number seven couldn’t keep his header down.

At the other end, Josh Render needed to be alert, sweeping round he ensured things remained tight at the back. Meanwhile at the other end, Morpeth were at times guilty of trying to over play at the back, inviting the pressure from the mobile Conway, who looked to punish any dwelling on the ball. Trinity turned their dominance into a goal as Lancaster lashed home a strike from the edge of the six-yard box. Butroid and Preston created a two versus one, that was swung in left footed. The ball falling at the feet of Braithwaite, the former Grimsby schemer placed the ball at the feet of Lancaster, who took a touch, getting the ball out of his feet and rifling home the first Gainsborough goal of his career.

Twice pegged back on the opening day, Wilcox’s men would have been determined not to allow the same to happen on Tuesday night. Shortly after, Sisa Tuntulwana got up highest to head goalwards, from Butroid’s corner, only to see his goalbound effort scrambled away. A loose pass saw Braithwaite in space to slide in Declan Howe, but the Trinity marksman, in space and with time, skewed his attempt off target when well placed. The Holy Blues having to settle for going in at the break, just the one goal to the good.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Morpeth Town 0

Craig Lynch’s Morpeth half-time team talk did not inspire his Highwaymen into life, as Trinity shot out of the blocks in the second-half like a greyhound running a race. They doubled their lead through another summer recruit, Jordan Helliwell, as Aaron Simpson split the travelling defence. His pass found Braithwaite, who recorded his second assist of the night, feeding the ball to the back-post for Helliwell to convert. Preston almost added a quick-fire third as he curled an effort from the edge of the box just a whisker wide of the far post.

The third eventually came, in the 68th minute, as Dayle Southwell joined the party. He played through Howe, who poked the ball through the Morpeth ‘keeper before applying the finishing touch. After a period of pinball in the Gainsborough penalty area, the visitors stabbed home an out-of-the-blue consolation goal. Two shots were blocked before skipper Nathan Buddle lifted the ball into the roof of Josh Render’s net. Trinity looked to have switched off after they notched their third goal of the evening, but still maintained an attacking threat. Howe’s forward runs were routinely causing mayhem in the Morpeth defence. Russ Wilcox’s side now head into a second consecutive home game, as they welcome Ashton United to the Kal Group Stadium, where they look to add to their positive start to the new campaign.

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: Josh Render, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Sisa Tuntulwana, Will Lancaster, Lewis Butroid (Joe Stacey 75), Jordan Helliwell, Fraser Preston (Dayle Southwell 63), Declan Howe, Aaron Braithwaite. Subs not used: Glen Sani, Kyle Simpson and Dylan Wharton.

Morpeth Town: Daniel Langley, Rhys Evans, Vinnie Steels, Josh King (Nic Bollado 46), Ryan Wombwell, Nathan Buddle, Daniel Barlow (Will Dowling 63), Jordan Hickey (Liam Miller 82), Sam Hodgson, Fenton John, Luke James. Subs not used: Matt Boyd and Sam Davison.

Gainsborough Goals: Will Lancaster (35) Jordan Helliwell (46) Declan Howe (67)
Gainsborough Bookings: Bailey Conway
Morpeth Goal: Nathan Buddle (71)
Morpeth Bookings: Ryan Wombwell and Jordan Hickey
Referee: Ian Johnston
Attendance 512

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media) and Jamie Johnson (@JJohnson_16)
Photographs by Bryan Pye (@bry_pyesport)