Gainsborough Trinity made it five wins in a row in all competitions, as they beat Workington AFC.
Trinity were playing their third game in the week after last Saturday’s FA Cup delight, defeating Hednesford Town on penalties to reach the second round of the competition. That was then backed up by Tuesday’s impressive victory away to Whitby Town.
Despite the congested schedule, Russ Wilcox made just one change to the side which won on the Yorkshire coast, with Bobby Johnson replacing Bailey Conway in the starting 11.
The visitors travelled to Lincolnshire following a 2-0 win of their own, over Worksop Town. That had lifted them away from the lower footings of the table.
However, Workington were without a clean sheet since August 20, so Trinity’s forwards would have been hopeful of chances materialising as the afternoon unfolded.
A Slow Burner:
An impeccably observed remembrance ceremony set the scene for an entertaining game, and it was Gainsborough who had the best chance of the opening exchanges. A mix-up at the back from Workington allowed Declan Howe to steal the ball and round the goalkeeper, however off balance he could only shoot well over.
After that though the game fell into an early lull, the most significant moment of the first 20 minutes came on 19 minutes as Aaron Simpson limped off injured, he was replaced at right-back by Sisa Tutulwana.
Workington were attempting to loft balls over the Gainsborough defence but had very little success, resulting in both sides cancelling each other out as they felt their way into the encounter.
Captain’s Goal for Gainsborough Trinity:
Then on 27 minutes, Trinity broke the deadlock. A disappointing corner was poorly cleared by Workington, and it fell to captain Dylan Cogill. The centre-back still had a lot to do just inside the area, but he placed a perfect left footed effort into the far corner to put Holy Blues in front.
Just five minutes later it could easily have been two, as Javelle Clarke weaved his way through the Reds midfield before finding Bobby Johnson on the right wing. He sent in a delightful driven cross which was only taken away from Howe with a last-ditch challenge.
That ten-minute dominant spell had Trinity in front at the break, but it was a tight game that was far from over heading into the second half.
Second-Half Dominance:
The second-half began with a controversial decision from referee Anthony Tankard. Sisa Tuntulwana struck a brilliantly controlled volley into the bottom corner on 47 minutes, but he was adjudged to have fouled his man in the build-up and it was quickly chalked off.
Gainsborough were well in the ascendancy by now and Cogill very nearly doubled his tally on 51 minutes. A deep corner went towards the far post and he forced a good save from Alex Mitchell before heading against the crossbar, doing practically everything but score.
Just before the hour mark though, disaster struck for Russ Wilcox and Gainsborough Trinity as top scorer Declan Howe had to be stretchered off with an ankle injury.
Only time will tell how serious the injury is, but to lose him for any significant period would be a huge blow, especially with the Harrogate Town FA Cup tie on the horizon.
That setback did not stop the flow of attacks though and with 20 minutes to play Jordan Helliwell doubled Trinity’s advantage. A superb run and shot from Clarke was blocked, but it ricocheted into the path of the onrushing Helliwell.
The midfielder struck a volley that was too powerful for Mitchell to keep out at his near post.
The Holy Blues capped off their dominance as Fraser Preston made it three late on. The forward found himself in space just inside the penalty area and he placed a low driven effort into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0.
Gainsborough saw the game out with ease to seal a five win on the bounce, rounding out a perfect week.
The result sees them rise to 16th in the Northern Premier League before they return to action next weekend, hosting Chester in the FA Trophy.
Feature Image Credit: Heather King