Gainsborough Trinity are into the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years, after a 4-0 thrashing of National League side Boston United.
The original game ended in dramatic fashion with Pemi Aderoju’s 98th minute header forcing a 2-2 draw at The Northolme, meaning the two sides would have to replay the tie at the Jakeman’s Community Stadium on Tuesday night.
A Perfect Opening 45:
It was the ideal start for the Holy Blues, as striker Declan Howe was played through on goal. The ball was played behind him, with Howe’s first touch getting the ball out of his feet and baring down on Boston keeper Ellis Craven. Howe made no mistake with the finish, toe-poking the ball into the back of the net.
Later, a Lewis Butroid corner was met by defender Will Lancaster, but his headed effort was straight at Craven.
Trinity doubled their advantage on the 15-minute mark, after fantastic play from Jordan Helliwell on the left-hand side allowed him to put a low cross into the Pilgrims’ penalty area. Gainsborough-born Lewis Butroid was there at the near post to slide the ball home before Craven could get to the ball.
Boston’s shaky start continued as Zak Mills was booked on 21 minutes for bringing down Howe on the left wing as the Trinity forward looked to bear down on Craven’s goal once again.
From the half-hour mark, the Pilgrims came into the contest and started to control possession. Dylan Hill, Zak Mills and Jacob Hazel all had efforts straight at Trinity goalkeeper Dylan Wharton, that he held comfortably.
The Holy Blues had a golden opportunity to add a third with ten minutes remaining of the opening 45 on the counter attack. Fraser Preston’s pace allowed for the Boston backline to be stretched, before the ball found fellow striker Javelle Clarke. He lifted the ball over the on-rushing Craven, but the ball bounced the wrong side of the post, as Trinity looked to finish off their opposition.
How to Win a Game of Football:
Boston manager Ian Culverhouse made a change at the interval, bringing on Saturday’s dramatic goal scorer Aderoju to try and get back into the contest.
The opening fifteen minutes saw the Pilgrims have plenty of the ball, but the defensive shape of Trinity proved to be too strong for the hosts to damage. Aderoju had a shot blocked, but the Holy Blues looked comfortable sitting on their two-goal lead.
Russ Wilcox’s side did get a slice of luck as Tony Weston advanced into the penalty area, before his strike bounced off the inside of Wharton’s right post. The ball bounced across the face of goal, before the Blues’ keeper was able to dive onto the ball.
Gainsborough killed the game as a contest with twenty to play, as their third came through the familiar source of Howe. Excellent work by Clarke on the left gave the attacker the chance to draw a pinpoint cross back to Howe who made no mistake with the simple finish.
Not even ten minutes later, it was four. Howe was involved again, this time for his hold up play, as he allowed for Butroid to have space on the left in a similar position to the third goal. The midfielder found Fraser Preston in the box who at the second attempt, lashed the ball into the top corner, to send the travelling visitors wild.
The result sparked jubilant scenes in the away end, with the 200 away fans singing until full time. Trinity will head to Hednesford Town in the first round on the weekend of November 2.
Feature Image Credit: Heather King