Gainsborough Trinity hold on to beat AFC Telford United in their Emirates FA Cup opener.
The hosts had exited the competition at the Qualifying Round stage in three of the past four seasons, but held out to beat their visitors this time around.
The Holy Blues were searching for a return to winning ways as they took a break from league action. Russ Wilcox’s men beat Leek Town last Saturday, but fell at home to Worksop Town on bank holiday Monday.
A Goal Inside 30 Seconds:
Declan Howe opened the scoring within the first 30 seconds of the match. Jordan Helliwell worked the ball to stand-in captain Aaron Simpson down the right, with the former Telford man chipping the ball to Gainsborough’s top marksman. He made no mistake, nodding the ball into the corner of Brandon Hall’s net.
Any latecomers were missing a quick start to the afternoon. Referee Scott Mason awarded a penalty to Trinity just a few minutes later. Ashley Jackson had three shots in quick succession, the third of which was blocked on the line by Kyle Storer.
The Telford captain was deemed to have blocked it with his hand, as referee Mason awarded a spotkick and booked Storer. Howe looked to add his second of the afternoon, but saw a tame penalty down-the-middle saved by the Bucks’ ‘keeper.
Telford’s form had been better than their hosts, as they travelled north after three straight wins in the Southern Premier League Central.
Howe went close to completing what could have been a hat-trick after 26 minutes. Fraser Preston fed through the Trinity talisman, who was denied by a sublime out-stretched hand from Hall.
Change of Fortunes:
Telford had their first effort on goal after half an hour. Dior Angus turned and shot from outside the box, but could only plant his effort into the Stuart Horsley Stand.
The Bucks soon had their equaliser, as Ricardo Dinanga tapped the ball home at the front post. It was a goal that you could feel coming, as Telford began to work their way into the game. Remi Walker found space down the right, and cut the ball back to Dinanga, who routinely clipped it past Dylan Wharton.
Almost a Carbon Copy of the First-Half:
Howe almost delivered a carbon copy of the first-half, as he was sent through by Preston inside the first minute of the second 45. The chance might have been different, but it had the same ‘quick out of the blocks’ energy.
Gainsborough Trinity did have their lead back in the 53rd minute. Simpson delivered a picturesque cross to the back-post, where Lewis Butroid met the ball with a bullet header into the corner of Hall’s goal.
The Holy Blues continued to be a threat from set pieces and crosses as the cup tie became much more end-to-end.
Gainsborough managed to withstand the late surge of Telford pressure to cash in on the £3,375 prize money. Orrin Pendley had a golden opportunity deep into stoppage time, but somehow headed wide from close range.
Feature Image Credit: Mike Sheridan/TwoEight