Keeping the same side that delivered in Manchester, there was one change to the matchday squad, as Jacob McLoughlin was the unfortunate one to miss out, with Connor Brown named in the sixteen for the first time, having served his three game ban that hung over from last season.
Wilcox’s decision reaped instant success. Racing into the lead inside three minutes. George Hornshaw released the explosive Theo Williams down the right. The winger leaving his full back in his wake and delivering a sumptious cross for Ashton Offler to rise high and guide his header back across goal, and beyond Nathan Harker to settle Trinity nerves.
Stockton without a goal in open play ahead of their trip to Lincolnshire, never fully recovered. Stockton failed to clear Trinity’s first corner. And a neat Offler layoff found Fraser Preston. His rising strike appeared to hit an arm. The Blues were making all the running, whilst the visitors struggled to find their stride. Offler working hard to win the ball back out of possession. Hornshaw unable to recreate his finish from the weekend.
Ashley Jackson looked for Williams in another clever switch of play. Instead of going for goal – Theo slid the ball into the path of the bursting Fraser Preston, but he was just eased off the ball, as Harker swooped off his line to gather.
Preston was again involved moments later, 
releasing Jordan Helliwell down the left. Helliwell’s ball across the face of goal, looking for Williams, was brilliantly cut out by Owen Gallagher, tracking Williams’ darting run from right to left. Another mis-placed pass was capitalised on by the rampant Blues. Preston again driving forwards, weighting the ball into the path of the ever willing Helliwell. His low right footed drive across Harker, finding the bottom corner and giving Trinity breathing room.
Preston then forced Harker into a full length save after Williams had done brilliantly in front of the Carlilse Street faithful, dispossesing former Premier League man, Frank Nouble. Trinity playing some pulsating football, to the delight of the decent crowd, gathered on the Northome.
Skipper Butroid was a whisker away from making it three, as the Stockton defence had put down anchor. Motionless, Harker could only watch on, as Harrison Beeden did well to set his captain. David Robson, who had only been involved with his feet, claimed a long throw, that Nouble had looped up into the air. Quickly bowling out to Harvey Sutcliffe to raid down the right – Hornshaw forcing a routine save from the visiting ‘keeper.
An excellent half of football from anyone of a Trinity persuasion, saw the team leave the field to a warm ovation
Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 2 Stockton Town 0
Trinity were right back at it straight after the break, Butroid joining from the left, getting on the end of Offler’s flick on, but Harker saved with his trailing leg, as the crowd expected the net to bulge.
The Referee then played a brilliant advantage. But Trinity couldn’t capaitalise. Preston drove down the left, and Willams raced, gazelle like, up in support. Theo’s run went untracked, but not unnoticed by the Gainsborough playmaker, who slipped the ball across the edge of the box. But attacking the ball at pace – Williams’ finish was rushed, and didn’t trouble Harker. Thudding wide of the target.
Again, Preston held his line well. Again, he looked to square for Williams, but Gallagher again got a cross to cut the ball out. Conceding a corner this time.
Just shy of the hour mark, Josh Scott had a first effort of the game for Stockton – but Robson wasn’t called into action. That spurred the Blues on again. And Theo Williams exploded into life down the right. Getting the better of his man, he picked out Butroid inside the box, but Trinity’s seven hit straight at Harker.
The hosts did deservedly extend their advantage on 61 minutes. Harrison Beeden’s ball down the right released Williams. He got the better of Nicholson & Brown. Stronger in the challenge. Quicker. And more powerful. Cutting in off his berth on the right hand side, before blasting his finish past Harker.
Again, with the bit between their teeth, Trinity were irresistible. Turning defence to attack, Helliwell dragged a presentable chance wide of the far post. A touch of frustration started to creep into the visitors game. Cameron Painter picking up a caution for a late challenge on Sutcliffe. Hornshaw released Williams, who did well to avoid a couple of heavy challenges. But he couldn’t match his earlier finish. The incessant blue waves unsettling the visitors.
Scott, a rare bright spot for the visitors, did reduce the deficit thirteen minutes from time. Winning a penalty, on the far side. And dusting himself down, to send Robson the wrong way from the spot. But any thoughts of a late comeback were over six minutes from time, when Layton Watts was shown a straight red card for a strong challenge from behind on Trinity substitute Connor Brown.
As tempers flared on both sides, Bobby Johnson and Adam Nicholson were both carded, as the man in the middle regained order. Ben Blythe replaced Butroid with three minutes of normal time remaining, but it was enough time for the former Swansea City man to net his maiden Trinity goal. And round off an excellent night’s work for the Holy Blues.
Sutcliffe’s ball from the right was well attacked by Offler, but Blythe, joining from the left – got the telling touch to bundle the ball home. A four goal to one victory, under the lights. Chances created & smiles on faces. A job well done by Russ Wilcox’s Holy Blues. Rolling on to the next game. And the visit of Bury to the Kal Group Stadium on Saturday. Trinity looking to continue building the momentum, as the crazy month of August continues, unabated.
The Teams
Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Harvey Sutcliffe, Ashley Jackson, George Hornshaw (Bobby Johnson 77) Jack Leckie, Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid (Ben Blythe 87) Jordan Helliwell (Elliott Whitehouse 90+2) Theo Williams (Javelle Clarke 90+2) Ashton Offler, Fraser Preston (Connor Brown 78)
Gainsborough goals: Ashton Offler 3’ Jordan Helliwell 33’ Theo Williams 60’ Ben Blythe 90+3
Gainsborough bookings: Bobby Johnson
Stockton Town: Nathan Harker, Josh Baggs (Ryan Barrett 57) Owen Gallagher, Cameron Painter, Adam Nicholson, Aaron Brown, Josh Scott, Thomas Birtles (Paul Rooney 54), Frank Nouble (Callum Young 90), Stephen Thompson (Jayden Pinnegar 70) Layton Watts
Stockton goal: Josh Scott (pen) 78’
Stockton discipline: Cameron Painter & Adam Nicholson (booked) Layton Watts (straight red)
Attendance 536
Report written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)