Gainsborough Trinity make it four wins in a row in the league, thanks to a 2-1 win over play-off chasing Hyde United.
A second-half penalty from Declan Howe added to goals from Jack Redshaw and Javelle Clarke, as the Holy Blues jump up to tenth in the league, with five games in hand on teams around them.
The hosts came into this game having lost one in their last 13 matches in all competitions, that a 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town in the FA Cup. As for the visitors, it was nine unbeaten, last falling to defeat on October 2. Both forms positive side made for a much anticipated and exciting affair.
Early drama at The Northolme:
The Tigers took the lead just five minutes into the first game, after miscommunication from Gainsborough. A long ball was crossed in, and a ball that was left seemingly confused Trinity goalkeeper Dylan Wharton, who didn’t come out for it, leaving Redshaw the opportunity to head it into the back of the net to give Hyde the lead.
The goal from the visitors, which involved a missed header from Will Lancaster, gave Gainsborough more urge to get back into it and push on for an equaliser, which is exactly what they got.
Clarke equalised ten minutes after Hyde’s opener, with a long ball landing over the top of the defence to the path of the striker, who slotted the ball comfortably through Callum Hiddleston in the United goal.
The game was then on a knife edge, with both sides getting chances, Redshaw coming closest to a second for the Tigers with a long-range effort which landed high of the target.
Clarke came close to getting his second with a half-volley that was skied high, with Howe hitting a speculative effort towards goal just five minutes later. As the first half grew, it was the Holy Blues that looked more likely to get a goal and take the advantage.
Gainsborough Trinity picked up where the first ended:
Howe had a goal disallowed in the first five minutes of the second half, as he got in behind and chipped his effort over the goalkeeper, but an interpreted handball stopped Gainsborough’s top scorer from netting an early second for Trinity.
The Holy Blues eventually took the lead in the 65th minute. A corner swung in by Butroid hit a Hyde hand, and referee Samuel Clayton had no choice but to point to the spot. Howe put the ball down, and tucked it to the keeper’s right, who dived the right way but couldn’t get to it.
Hyde woke up after the penalty, and appealed for one of their own as Sisa Tuntulwana went down and had the ball hit a bodily object. But, the referee judged it was his back as he waved away the calls from Hyde players and fans.
They could not do enough to get back into it, however, as Gainsborough collected the three points as they push further up the league.
Full Time: Gainsborough Trinity 2-1 Hyde United
Trinity shoot up to tenth in the Northern Premier League table, still with games in hand on the sides around them thanks to cup exploits and multiple postponements.
Next up for Gainsborough is a trip to Morpeth Town in the Northern Premier Division, as they look to make it a happy Christmas for the Trinity faithful.