Save for niggles to Bobby Johnson & new man Elliot Whitehouse, Wilcox got minutes into the legs of all squad members. And also gave minutes to half a dozen youngsters from the U21s set up. It was a first glimpse of Connor Hawkins, in goal - and centre forward Brown (a half time substitute, pictured).

The hosts went straight out on the front foot, from kick off, but Hawkins wasn't truly troubled, before Trinity slipped into their stride. Aaron Simpson & Fraser Preston were combining well down the right. Javelle Clarke forcing a save from the Frickley number one after a neat give and go, between Aaron & Fraser opened up the home side.

A quarter of an hour in, Lewis Butroid broke the deadlock. George Hornshaw recycled the ball back into the box. His cross only partially dealt with as it found Butroid just outside the 'D'. Taking a touch he finished well into the top left hand corner to put Trinity on their way.

Quickly after Butroid’s opener, Jordan Helliwell got a lucky break on the left side of the area, forcing a good save from Allinson.

Just past the midway point of the first half, Theo Williams did well to tee up Clarke to lash behind Allinson. Doubling the Gainsborough advantage, but that came after Williams had done well, initially drifting out to the left, before getting back between the frame of the goal, as Hornshaw released Butroid down the left. He squared into the feet of Williams, with his back to goal. And Clarke made no mistake.

Preston was denied on the half hour. The ball shifted on to Fraser, but Allinson was equal to the effort, tipping it behind for a corner.. And five minutes before the break, Butroid tried to bend one, with his weaker foot, but just couldn't find that far corner to nestle in his second & Trinity's third.

Half Time: Frickley Athletic 0 Gainsborough Trinity 2

Despite making a raft of changes at the break, it was the Blues who started quickest. Two goals in four second half minutes taking the game away from Frickley. New signing Connor Brown, took just 26 seconds to open his account. Capitalising on a poor backpass, Brown chased a lost cause. Poking past Allinson, with a real poachers finish.

When fellow substitute Jack Watson, intercepted the ball in the middle of the park, he drove forward before slipping the pass into Brown, down the side. Continuing his run, Brown found the clever reverse pass to give Watson the simplest of finishes, just four minutes into the second period.

Jack Leckie tried his luck from range. Only to see his effort deflected behind for a corner. And shortly after, Brown showed good hold up play that allowed Preston the chance to get up in support. He caught his strike well, but it was well blocked by the Frickley 'keeper.

With twenty minutes to play, Wilcox turned to his clutch of 21s talent, as he rotated his squad.

The lively Watson then raided down the right. His cross on the run, earning Trinity a corner. Leckie unable to scramble home at the back post. Brown & Watson continued to show signs of an understanding, as the number of changes, for both sides gave a disjointed end to the game, but the damage had already been done & the Holy Blues could see the game out comfortably.

As the busy pre-season schedule continues, attention turns to the Lincolnshire County Cup & local bragging rights, on Tuesday night, when Russ' men head to Lincoln United: looking to build momentum ahead of the new season.

Trinity Line-Up

Callum Hawkins (Thornton Checkley 80) Aaron Simpson (Charlie Doble 60) Ashley Jackson (Noah Wood 70) Ashton Offler, (Charlie Beale 70) Harrison Beeden (Jack Leckie 46) George Hornshaw (Harvey Sutcliffe 46) Lewis Butroid (Jack Watson 46) Jordan Helliwell (Jacob McLoughlin 46) Theo Williams (Connor Brown 46) Fraser Preston (Kyle Smith 70) Javelle Clarke (Cam Davis 64)

Attendance: 164

Words: Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images & Album: Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)