GTFC Championship 2016 - Gainsborough Trinity vs. Grimsby Town

Grimsby attack in the first half

This week I visited home and was lucky enough to squeeze in the friendly between Gainsborough Trinity and Grimsby Town. The hosts were coming into their first full season with new manager Don Roma and the manager had been building a decent squad over the summer. Grimsby were looking forward to their first season back in the football league following their play off win over Forest Green Rovers. Of particular interest were former Scunthorpe players Sean McAllister and Andrew Boyce as well as Dominic Vose who was on loan for the season.

Dusk over The Northolme

In the early stages Grimsby looked a class above and they took the lead when the forward found space on the right hand edge of the penalty area and bent a fantastic shot into the far top corner. They continue to dominate but they gift Gainsborough a way back in when they concede a penalty which is converted to make it one all. The visitors regain the lead as a good passing move results in the midfielder having enough time in the area to slot home. At the end of the first half and start of the second Grimsby have two goals disallowed for offside and they then take their foot off the gas. Gainsborough begin to press and they equalise with a strong header from a corner while under immense pressure from defenders. Trinity get the winner when after a free kick as the ball finds the man free at the back post and the Grimsby keeper makes a brilliant save but he is powerless to stop the forward heading in the rebound to give Gainsborough the win.

Highlights of the game can be found on Trinity's YouTube channel here.

Lights Out At The Northolme – Gainsborough Trinity vs. North Ferriby United

The Northolme before the sun went down

We manage to make the inter county drive in just under forty minutes and we only miss the first five minutes of the game. In the early stages of the second game it is clear the quality of football was much higher in the first game! After a scrappy start Gainsborough create a couple of chances but as the game goes on North Ferriby begin to take control. It is goalless at half time and the start of the second period continues in a similar vein as Ferriby look well in control. Suddenly there is a loud crack and one of the floodlight pylons goes out. Gainsborough want to continue but the referee brings the players off. Despite the best attempts of the Trinity ground staff the ground remains in near darkness and the game is abandoned. I will certainly never joke about floodlight failure when driving in-between games ever again.  

Too dark?

Trinity Run Ended - Gainsborough Trinity vs. Stalybridge Celtic

The Northolme under lights

Saturday should have been the first time in a while that I watched Scunthorpe for two consecutive weekends but the heavy rain ruined that. Despite the game at Glanford Park being rained off, the Conference North game between Gainsborough Trinity and Stalybridge Celtic just fifteen miles away survived. Gainsborough vs. Marine a long time ago was my first ever non league game and I always like coming back to The Northolme. Going in to the game, Gainsborough were on a seven match winning streak while Stalybridge were on a seven game losing streak. The hosts had also beaten Confernce National side Forest Green in the FA Trophy the previous week and so it appeared that nothing could go wrong.  

The main stand at The Northolme

Gainsborough start the game on the attack and force an early corner. From this corner they take the lead with a bullet header from the set piece. They almost double the lead with a near identical chance but the visiting keeper pulls off a terrific save. Once Stalybridge begin to settle and they pass the ball around with some confidence. However, it is Gainsborough who have the next effort on goal and the keeper makes another important save. The visitors end the half on top but they remain a goal down.  

Gainsborough on the attack in the first half

Stalybridge begin the second half where they left off at the end of the first and it is no surprise when they equalise. Following a passing move the Stalybridge player fires an angled effort across the Trinity keeper. Stalybridge continue to exert most of the pressure and they take a deserved lead when the striker fires home at the end of an another passing move. This sparks Trinity in to life and they hit the post from just outside the area. The Celtic keeper soon makes another save at his near post and despite all their possession, the visitors hold on for a deserved away win. 

Stalybridge's vocal support on the uncovered terracing

The closest station to The Northolme is Gainsborough Lea Road which is about a half hour walk away. Trains here go to Doncaster and Sheffield although I don't believe they are particularly regular. A two minute walk away from the ground is The Elm Cottage which is cosy and had a couple of ales. A bit further away from the ground is The Eight Jolly Brewers  which has a wide selection of ales. There are two bars at the ground, I have only ever been to the Blues Club and from memory it was pretty decent and had Sky Sports. 

Another view of the stand