Gainsborough Trinity recorded their first win of the new Northern Premier League, with two summer recruits making their mark on the scoresheet.
The Holy Blues controlled much of the early goings, with Bailey Conway and Fraser Preston both forcing giant goalkeeper Dan Langley into routine saves. New signing Aaron Braithwaite endeared himself to The Northolme faithful with a duo of crunching challenges in the middle of the park, as Gainsborough retained the bulk of possession.
Trinity turned their dominance into a goal as Will Lancaster lashed home a strike from the edge of the six-yard box. Butroid recycled a cross, which Braithwaite placed at the feet of the former Bradford Park Avenue man for his first Gainsborough goal.
Russ Wilcox’s side earned a draw in their season opener at Ilkeston Town, with last season’s top marksman Declan Howe getting his name on the scoresheet alongside an own goal. Gainsborough Trinity took the lead twice in the game, but were forced to settle for a point at the end of proceedings.
They lined-up at the KAL Group Stadium looking to win their home opener for the first time since a 2-0 victory over Hyde United, in 2020.
Firing Out of the Blocks after Half-Time:
Craig Lynch’s Morpeth half-time team talk did not inspire his Highwaymen into life, as Trinity shot out of the blocks in the second-half like a greyhound running a race. They doubled their lead through another summer recruit, Jordan Helliwell, as Aaron Simpson split the travelling defence. His pass found Braithwaite, who recorded his second assist of the night, feeding the ball to the back-post for Helliwell.
Preston almost added a quick-fire third as he curled an effort from the edge of the box just a whisker wide of the far post.
The third eventually came, in the 68th minute, as Dayle Southwell joined the party. He played through Howe, who poked the ball through the Morpeth ‘keeper before applying the finishing touch.
After a period of pinball in the Gainsborough penalty area, the visitors stabbed home an out-of-the-blue consolation goal. Two shots were blocked before skipper Nathan Buddle lifted the ball into the roof of Josh Render’s net.
Trinity looked to have switched off after they notched their third goal of the evening, but still maintained an attacking threat. Howe’s forward runs were routinely struggling the Morpeth defence.
The victory ended a run of five games without a win for Gainsborough against the Highwaymen.
Wilcox’s side now head into a second consecutive home game, as they welcome Ashton United and look to add to their positive start to the new campaign.