With Charlie Parks seemingly ruled out for the season, he was the only change for Russ Wilcox’s Holy Blues, ten days on from defeat to Hebburn Town. Fraser Preston replacing him in the starting eleven. Jacob McLoughlin was drafted back into the sixteen, with Sisa Tuntulwana continuing his rehabilitation following his injury sustained in the Leek Town home game.

Trinity took the game to Hyde in the early throes of the game, but failed to trouble the young Li-Bau Stowell, in the Tigers' goal. Taylor McMahon, the young full back went into the Referee's notebook on five minutes. Flying into the back of Theo Williams, out on the Carlilse Street side.

Frank Mulhern was looking to create. Drifting out to the right, he sent over a dangerous cross that evaded everyone. With Lewis Butroid arriving late, he would have expected the intervention of Harry Ditchfield - but as the ball landed at the skippers' feet - he couldn't provide the telling touch.

When well placed, Mulhern missed his kick on the edge of the box, before the returning Preston fared better. He teed one up from twenty yards out. His low effort deflected narrowly behind for the first corner of the evening. Up from the back Jack Leckie couldn't connect properly & Hyde were able to clear.

On the quarter hour, David Robson was called into action for the first time. A routine take after good play from Matt Fearnley to turn, in the middle of the park, and fire goalwards.

Aaron Simpson sent over an early cross from the right, that initially looked to have too much on it, Butroid was able to keep the ball alive & win a corner - but Trinity couldn't pick out a Blue shirt. With the ball recycled back out to the left, Ashley Jackson curled in a cracking early ball, that struck the arm of Shakeel Jones-Griffiths. The penalty appeals were waved away, to the frustration of the home crowd.

Midway through the half, Wilcox was forced into a change. Losing influential Frank Mulhern, he turned to experienced forward Jonny Margetts. And it wasn't long before he was involved - cleverly releasing the fleet footed Theo Williams to race clear of the back line & guide the ball beyond Stowell. It was a goal Williams deserved following some impressive performances up top.

The goal seemed to stir the Tigers, with Ben Kershaw curling over from the edge of the box, before the same players went to ground as the ball ricocheted around the Trinity box. Despite the penalty appeals, Mr Park waved that one away too. Just one minute later, in the 33rd minute - he finally did point to the spot, when Dontai Gabidon committed Ashley Jackson. He drew the foul & despite a delayed stumble - the decision was made. Tunde Olowabi had the chance to equalise from the spot. David Robson stood up and was counted though. Smothering Olowabi's spotkick, to keep Trinity's noses in front.

Frustrated, Tunde found himself in the book moments later, for a late lunge on Jackson, before Williams looked to cause Hyde further problems, spinning in behind. Stowell swept well to divert the danger.

Similarly to the penalty awarded at the other end, Williams outmuscled and outpaced his marker down the left, before a tusstle inside the box eventually saw the loan man felled. Unlike at the other end, the Referee waved away the Gainsborough penalty appeals. Williams punished for his honesty, as he tried to stay on his feet. From the resulting corner, Jack Leckie whistled an effort half a yard wide of the upright as Russ Wilcox's men had to settle with the one goal advantage at the break.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Hyde United 0

The visitors perhaps enjoyed more of the possession between the boxes, but Trinity defended stoutly. And looked a threat on the counter. Hyde using any means necessary to shackle the threat possessed by the speedy Theo Williams.

Just six minutes into the second period, Aaron Simpson swung in a delightful ball from the right. Landing at the feet of Margetts, he took a touch - and that was enough time for the visitors defence to avert the danger.

Tom Pratt looked to free the lively Gabidon, but he saw his shot charged down - before Margetts again found himself with a sight of goal. The expectant crowd waited for the net to bulge. But it was only a ruffle of the side netting as the visitors could count their lucky stars.

Hyde were hunting. Sensing a way back into the game. And with the slender lead, the Blues were a little edgy. As Gabidon forced a routine save from Robson. Unselfish, Williams did well to hold his run. Exploding away from a standing start, he looked to square for the supporting Margetts - but the recovery challenge thwarted Jonny's latest attempt to get on the mark.

Scott Duxbury hooked over for Hyde, with an unorthodox attempt, before Ditchfield's diving header (below sea level) needed some evasive action from Harrison Beeden to clear the danger. Ash Jackson looked to cause problems for Hyde. His long throw wasn't dealt with & Margetts wasn't going to pass up the latest opportunity. Lewis Butroid finding the Trinity top scorer in space, inside the box. He checked onto his right foot & curled his eleventh goal of the season beyond Stowell to give Trinity the cushion they had been searching for.

Redshaw, on as a late substitute for Hyde looked to strike the dropping ball. But his effort sailed over Robson's crossbar before the confident Blues strung a lovely one touch move together that threatened to unlock the Tigers back line. Cumulating in a stinging effort from Margetts, straight at Stowell & Butroid following in, unable to add to his tally for the season.

Hyde were being reduced to pop shots from range. Harrison Beeden & Jack Leckie commanding in the air, as McMahon drove a couple of yards wide from. 25 yards out & an ambitious bicycle kick lacked the power or direction to trouble Robbo, as he ensured a fourteenth shut out in the league. A strong rear guard action, with a calming، assured presence behind.

Next on the fixture list, is the trip to Rushall Olympic, in another game that has huge ramifications at both ends of the table. And following Saturday’s away game, the Holy Blues return home, for another Tuesday night fixture, under the Kal Group Stadium lights, when Bamber Bridge come to Lincolnshire. Trinity will be looking to pick up more points to secure their place in the end of season play-off mix - you wouldn't want to bet against Russ Wilcox's men!

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, George Hornshaw, Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell, Theo Williams (Javelle Clarke 70) Frank Mulhern (Jonny Margetts 22) Fraser Preston
Subs not used: Jacob McLoughlin, Ashton Offler & Henry Brown.
Goals: Theo Williams 28' Jonny Margetts 76'

Hyde United: Lai-Bau Stowell, Kieran Lloyd, Taylor McMahon, Shakeel Jones-Griffiths, Scott Duxbury, Harry Ditchfield, Ben Kershaw (Edy Maeico 70) Matt Fearnley (Max Harrop 89) Tunde Olowabi (70)
Subs not used: Damon Park & Joe Bunney
Hyde Bookings: Taylor McMahon,

Referee: Andrew Park 
Assistants: Mason Bussey & Gavin Rice
Attendance:478

Match report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)