Gainsborough Trinity extended their FA Cup run with a Declan Howe double securing the points.
The Holy Blues’ talisman netted twice in the first-half, as the hosts produced a dominant display against Lincolnshire rivals Grantham Town. The visitors, from the division below, got a goal back after the break, but could not find an equaliser late on.
Quick Grantham Town Start, but Gainsborough Trinity Opener:
The visitors started the game the stronger outfit, with Lewis Darlington proving a particular source of trouble for the Trinity backline. The winger forced Dylan Wharton into an early save, as he continuously strode through the Gainsborough defences.
At the other end, Declan Howe managed to get a shot away as the hosts looked to make their quality on the counter attack matter.
Concerns over the Holy Blues’ rollercoaster start to the season had subsided somewhat with a midweek victory over Matlock Town, as the club secured their first clean sheet of the term. Russ Wilcox had kept the team that picked up all three points on Tuesday night, while academy goalkeeper Ollie Sykes was lifted to the bench due to Josh Render’s continued absence.
After weathering an early storm, it was Gainsborough who took the lead with 17 minutes on the clock. The home side made their pressure count, as Aaron Simpson launched a cross field ball to Lewis Butroid. He controlled it and played it into the centre for Howe, who turned and planted the ball into the corner of Curtis Hall’s net.
Butroid curled a speculative effort over the bar, Dayle Southwell had an effort blocked, and Will Lancaster headed high from a recycled corner.
Howe at the Double:
Howe netted his and Gainsborough’s second before the break, as he was found inside the Grantham box. With a determined defender on his back, he turned beautifully and created space for a stern shot into the far corner of Hall’s goal.
It was a poacher’s finish from the Trinity talisman, who took his seasonal tally to seven.
However, on the other side of the break, it was a cool finish past Dylan Wharton that made the tie more precarious. Lewis Darlington had time and space after Sam Edgington fed him the ball, allowing the Grantham danger man to pick his spot and half the deficit.
Back and Forth:
It was end to end stuff in the second-half, as both teams looked to create that killer chance: Grantham to draw level and Gainsborough to put the game out of sight.
Fraser Preston went close before he was substituted, as he stung the palms of ‘keeper Hall. The Grantham shot-stopper was called into action by Howe midway through the second-half, denying the striker his hat trick.
With both managers ringing the changes, there was a momentum of contention with 20 minutes left on the clock. Former Gingerbread Sisa Tuntulwana bundled down Mason Lee in a challenge that brought plenty of penalty shouts. Referee Josh Howell waved them away authoritatively, but there might not have been many Trinity arguments if it had been awarded.
Grantham were searching for a leveller, while the Holy Blues looked to take the sting out of the game and see it out. It was the latter that happened, as Gainsborough held on to secure a deserved place in Monday’s FA Cup draw.
Feature Image Credit: Bryan Pye