Trinity were up and at it from minute one to ninety in the Izusu FA Trophy as every man in Blue put in a performance to be proud of, even going one better than last weekend, by keeping a clean sheet to add to the performance levels. Starting brightly, twice inside the opening dozen minutes Fraser Preston went close for the visitors. First he called Dan Jezeph into a full length dive away to his left. The former Tamworth 'keeper tipping the ball around the post. Before a more routine effort found the mid-drift of the 'keeper from similar range.

The Poppies didn't heed the warning signs, and just a minute later Declan Howe was adding his fifth away goal of the campaign and his eleventh in total. Dropping short. He linked play, before spinning in behind, and running off the shoulder of centre back Sidik Atcha. Howe's deft finish, lifting the ball up and over the stranded Jezeph to open Trinity's account for the afternoon.

Approaching the midway point of the first half, Kettering mustered their first real attempt. Andy Thanoj, formerly of Boston and Alfreton tried his luck from 20 yards or so out. His effort not troubling Dylan Wharton, between the sticks for the Holy Blues. Before at the other end, twisting and turning Atcha in the box. The centre half had no answers as he looked to shackle Howe. Howe making enough room to get an effort in on goal. Jezeph doing well to hold Howe’s ferocious effort from a tight angle.

Howe was enjoying himself. And when he was played in, in the inside left position, many would have banked on him scoring - but his right footed effort skewed off target. On another day, the Trinity hitman could have had an eight minute treble.

Every time Wilcox's men went forward, they looked dangerous. And looked like adding to their tally. Trinity weren't allowing the hosts any time to settle on the ball. Hunting in packs. Backing one another up. Jordan Helliwell, Bailey Conway and Lewis Butroid all putting in tremendous shifts in the midfield engine room. Brilliantly supporting Preston and Javelle Clarke in behind Howe. The selfless running of the three in and out of possession providing the platform on which the excellent team performance was built.

Kettering tried to build some momentum down the flanks, as Ben Hart looked to bomb on down the right, trying to link with Dan Jarvis. A couple of crosses came in, but Will Lancaster found himself in the right place to repel the danger on more than one occasion, before Wes York got his connection all wrong. And he was unable to generate sufficient power to trouble Wharton.

On thirty-five, the visiting Holy Blues doubled their lead. And who else was it? The local lad himself, Lewis Butroid. Fraser Preston weighting the perfect ball through, for Butty to time his run to perfection, and slot past the advancing Jezeph. A finish full of confidence from the versatile left-footer. Bruno Andrade tried his luck on the stroke of half time. But Wharton got down smartly to his left hand side, shovelling the former Lincoln City man's effort behind for a corner. A corner Trinity defended, solidly.

Half Time: Kettering Town 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2

The hosts came out fired up at the start of the second period. Strong words from boss Richard Lavery looking to see a reaction from his side. Only a couple of minutes into the half, and Wes York headed wide when well placed. The Poppies skipper, inadvertently heading wide from Dan Jarvis' pinpoint left wing centre. As the home side continued to press, they won a corner, that Trinity could only partially clear to the edge of the box. Andrade trying his luck, but his effort drifted wide of Wharton's left hand upright.

Trinity saw out the dangerous opening ten minutes of the half, before exerting more dominance on their hosts. The high intensity press too much for Kettering as the Blues wouldn't allow Kettering to settle into their rhythm. Much of Trinity's creativeness , directed by Fraser Preston and driven on by Helliwell at the heart of the action.

Twenty-five minutes from time and the game was over as a contest. Andrade’s moment of madness, with his side already two goals down and up against it, reacted poorly to a challenge from Bailey Conway – retaliating in full view of the Assistant on the far side. After a lengthy consultation, Conway was booked for the initial foul, and the Poppies were reduced to ten men.

Trinity took full advantage of the extra man, and popped the ball about with confidence. Utilising the space to open up the hosts at will. In the final quarter of an hour, Gainsborough really began to exert their superiority, but couldn't add to their tally. A couple of last ditch tackles from centre back, and home man of the match, Lewis White, and some wayward finishing, meant the Holy Blues couldn’t add a layer of gloss to the scoreline.

Patient build up, intricate play. Runners off the ball. Options for the man in possession – it’s clear to see, the Holy Blues are enjoying their football at the moment – and long may it continue! The extra goals would have been a nice touch, but they weren’t needed on this occasion, as Russ Wilcox’s men comfortably saw the game out to a conclusion, keeping the clean sheet and moving on to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round clash with Boston United on Saturday – where we will look to turn the town blue!

The Teams

Kettering Town: Dan Jezeph, Ben Hart, Aaron Powell, Sidik Atcha (Harlain Mbayo 46), Lewis White, Andi Thanoj, Wes York, Luca Miller, Bruno Andrade, Dan Jarvis (Nile Ranger 60) Tyree Wilson. Subs not used: Devon Kelly Evans, Isaiah Noel Williams and Devon Emovon.

Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway (Bobby Johnson 74), Will Lancaster, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid (Joe Stacey 87), Jordan Helliwell, Javelle Clarke (Josiah Dyer 90), Declan Howe, Fraser Preston (Aaron Braithwaite 87).Sub not used: Sisa Tuntulwana

Kettering Booking: Ben Hart
Kettering Sending Off: Bruno Andrade (65)
Gainsborough Goals: Declan Howe (13) Lewis Butroid (35)
Gainsborough Booking: Bailey Conway
Referee: Lewis Smith
Attendance: 953

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images with thanks to Peter Short (@NorthantsLegend)