Replacing Javelle Clarke with Jonny Margetts, boss Russ Wilcox tweaked the shape of his side for the visit of mid-table Guiseley – Jacob McLoughlin coming in on the bench for injured club captain, Bobby Johnson. Harrison Beeden continued to skipper the side, in the absence of both Johnson, and Vice, Lewis Butroid.

Trinity were quickly out of the traps, with George Hornshaw finding the ball into the feet of Margetts. Jonny did well with his back to goal, helping the ball round the corner for Sisa to drive forward with purpose. Firing a well taken effort beyond the Lions’ Joe Cracknell, to give the Holy Blues the dream start.

Guiseley pegged back the hosts on ten minutes, when centre back George Goodman punished Trinity. The defender, up from the back, making the Blues pay, for some lax defending, as the hosts looked to take the sting out of the game, rather than exert more pressure on the visitors. Momentum shifted with the equalising goal, and David Robson was called into action a couple of times in the first half, to ensure the sides went in all square at the break.

He was out smartly at the feet of Lucas Odunston, who looked to profit from a clever cut back, before plunging low to his right to tip another effort from the edge of the box, around the post. This time from York City loanee Mo Fadera.

Guiseley’s corner count was going up, but Wilcox’s men were standing firm. Beeden & Leckie a tower of strength at the heart of the Gainsborough back line. The visitors were putting bodies on the line, as blocks were made. And penalty appeals turned away. Almighty scrambles at one end, not yielding a goal for the Blues, whilst Fadera and Lufudu both had snap shots dealt with by Robbo. The sides going in at the break, all square.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Guiseley AFC 1

The second half started, much the same way as the first half had ended. With Guiseley enjoying the lions’ share of possession. Lufudu, Mbeka & Fadera all going close for the visitors, whilst Silva’s directness & quick feet were keeping the Holy Blues’ defenders honest.

The offside flag deprived Jordan Thewlis and, Wilcox’s men regrouped & began to come back into the game. Mulhern was looking to probe. Aaron Simpson was forced off, when a late challenge took the fullback off-guard. Replaced by former Leeds United youngster Harvey Sutcliffe for his home debut, Trinity continued to work hard, but Guiseley kept up the pressure on the ball.

Cleverly looking to run down the clock. Seemingly happy with a draw at the Kal Group Stadium. A number of meaty challenges, saw frustrations begin to rise. As a couple of further penalty shouts went unheard by the Referee. Sisa looked to cause problems with long throws into the box, but the first contact was that of the yellow-shirted-visitors, but with six minutes of added time to be played,,, would there be one more opportunity for Wilcox’s warriors?

Without having really worked Cracknell, the visiting ‘keeper could do nothing, as Tuntulwana popped up in added time, to control Fraser Preston’s corner kick. Drilling home through a crowded six yard box, to the delight of the home faithful.

Coupled with Stockton’s defeat at Hebburn, the two extra points gleaned, were enough to see the sides switch places, as we tick into the final three games of the season, with it all to play for – at both the top & bottom end of the table. Lancaster City, away, is the next port of call for Russ Wilcox’s Gainsborough Trinity. As the Dolly Blues play host to the Holy Blues. Saturday 11th April… at the Giant Axe. Get yourselves along & roar Trinity on, again – let’s go!

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson (Harvey Sutcliffe) Ashley Jackson, George Hornshaw, Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Sisa Tuntulwana, Jordan Helliwell, Jonny Margetts, Frank Mulhern, Fraser Preston (Ashton Offler)
Subs not used: Theo Williams, Javelle Clarke & Jacob McLoughlin
Gainsborough Goals: Sisa Tuntulwana 3' & 90+3'
Gainsborough Booking: George Hornshaw

Guiseley: Joe Cracknell, Lucas Odunston, Oliver Brownm Lebrun Mbeka (Elliot Owen 85) George Goodman, Jake Lawlor, Harrison Hopper, Mo Fadera, (Derren Boyle 78) Jordan Thewlis, Joao Silva (Amir Berchill) John Lufudu (Jack Emmett 64)
Sub not used: Callum Hudson
Guiseley Goal: George Goodman 10'
Guiseley Bookings: Oli Brown, Lebrun Mbeka & John Lufudu

Attendance 712
Report by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Ben Page