Making two changes from the side beaten at Morpeth on Saturday, Wilcox recalled Sisa Tuntulwana and Bobby Johnson for the visit of Guiseley. Aaron Simpson and Bailey Conway forced to settle for a place on the bench, as the squad strength in depth gives the Blues boss weekly tough decisions. Former Trinity men Jordan Thewlis and Will Longbottom lined up for the visiting Lions.

Gainsborough started brightly, looking to take the game to the higher placed visitors, the Blues looking neat and tidy in possession, but just lacking a little quality with the final ball. Too often the killer pass not beating the first man, as Guiseley lined up with three big centre backs across their back line.

Set pieces looked like Mark Bower’s side best way of unlocking a Gainsborough defence, which seemed to cope reasonably well with the attacking triple threat of the returning Thewlis and Longbottom. Leo Farrell’s physicality occupying the Trinity centre halves more than his more experienced counterparts. Though saying that, it was a Longbottom set piece that saw Guiseley go close, when the former Doncaster wingers’ freekick found Lebrun Mbeka. His goalbound header cleared off the line, as the Blues got bodies in the way.

On 37 minutes Guiseley rattled a trio of efforts goalwards. Mbeka again going close for the visitors. His initial effort striking Wharton’s left hand upright, before Thewlis was denied by the ‘keeper and another effort crashed off the face of the crossbar, as Trinity made hard work of clearing their lines.

Prince Ekpolo then shot straight at Wharton from the edge of the box, after the defensive midfielder had broken forward, before a Lewis Butroid centre found wing back Tuntulwana gambling. Arriving late, Tuntulwana got a good leap on Ridehalgh, but the defender made it awkward for attacker to get any direction on his header and Joe Cracknell could watch the ball drift harmlessly wide of the target.

Wharton’s goal really looked like it was leading a charmed life as half time approached. Leo Farrell seeing his effort from the left hand edge of the box deflected behind for a corner kick, with the half ticking into added time. But, for the second time in a matter of days, the opposition struck in first half stoppage time, to completely change the dynamic of Russ Wilcox’s half time team talk.

Adriano Moke got the better of Jordan Helliwell out by the corner flag, with some quarters claiming a freekick, but as the Blues failed to clear their defensive lines again, Jake Lawlor was able to squeeze his effort agonisingly past Wharton.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Guiseley 1

Again, the Holy Blues started the half brightly. An audacious effort from Howe looked to catch Cracknell off guard, but his dipping effort whistled a yard wide of the post. A slip from Mbeka allowed Howe another sniff as he raced from right to left. Forced a little wide, Howe looked to check inside, but the Referee, who was well placed waved away appeals for a Trinity penalty.

Another penalty appeal was dismissed, when a ball from the right struck the hand of Jameel Ible. The arm of the Guisley man outside the natural body position. One that VAR would typically overturn and award a penalty for, but one the Blues don’t seem to be getting of late. And in truth, do we want the pantomime of VAR in the NPL? Oh, no we don’t.

At the other end, Farrell blazed over when well placed, before Cracknell performed heroics to deny Lewis Butroid as he fired across goal. The keeper turning the ball behind with Howe looking to pounce. The flag against Howe denying Trinity the chance to reload from the corner. And fine margins meant that the action swung the other way. Former Harrogate man Jack Emmett blocked a poor clearance, sweetly threading the ball through for Thewlis, who steered home Guiseley’s second of the afternoon.

Trinity continued to press, looking for a way back into the game. The introduction of Joe Stacey adding fresh impetus. But despite the endeavour and some of the quality football between the boxes, it was the visitors who were the better in the two boxes, and reaped the rewards of all three points on Boxing Day. Taking a chance in each half, and putting in a water tight defensive display, to ensure they returned back up the A1 to Leeds, with the points in the bag.

A Boxing Day defeat, perhaps not the end to the year we wanted. But one that can be looked upon with great pride. From a point of perspective. Still over half the season to play, having reached the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup, and appearing on the TV. Still in the Isuzu FA Trophy at the turn of the year… there have certainly been worse times to be a Blue. A Gainsborough Trinity Blue.

And there’s a local derby next on the horizon, when we start the New Year on the road. Away at Worksop Town. January looks set to be a mental month for Russ Wilcox’s Gainsborough Trinity and the boys are going to need every bit of your backing. Nine to play, including eight league games (six away) the visit of Macclesfield and Matlock – and an eagerly anticipated cup tie, where we welcome York City. 2025 is certainly going to be welcomed in, in an explosive start to the year!

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bobby Johnson (Bailey Conway 76) Will Lancaster, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid (Joe Stacey 76) Jordan Helliwell, Javelle Clarke (Curtis Durose 71) Declan Howe, Fraser Preston. Subs not used: George Hornshaw and Aaron Simpson.

Guiseley: Joe Cracknell, Jameel Ible, Liam Ridenhalgh, Prince Ekpolo, Lebrun Mbeka, Jake Lawlor, Ollie Brown, Adriano Moke, Leo Farrell (Jack Emmett 72) Jordan Thewlis (Joe Ackroyd 84) Will Longbottom. Subs not used: Sam Bentley, Gabriel Johnson and Lewis Whitman.

Attendance: 811
Referee: Aaron Hallam

Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)