Gainsborough Trinity welcome Hednesford Town to the KAL Group Stadium on Saturday in a game which has huge significance in terms of both sides’ league positioning.
The Holy Blues come into this game a little more underprepared than their visitors after not playing a match since their 1-0 home win against Morpeth Town on January 17.
Russ Wilcox’s side currently find themselves in eighth place in the Northern Premier League on 36 points following two wins in their last three games.
However, Trinity do have lots of games in hand on the teams around them only having played 22 league matches this season including two since the turn of the year.
Wilcox will be looking to push into the play-off places in the Premier Division following his side’s mixed form over the last few months.
After their recent victory over Morpeth, the Trinity manager did comment on his side’s need to be more clinical upfront, and to start securing wins.
Wilcox said: “We need to start putting chances away. Make it a little more comfortable. We create some good openings; it’s just the final execution.
“Everyone that entered the pitch made a difference. It’s that final bit – you can create chances, but you have to put them away.”
The Holy Blues have had four games postponed so far this year and already held games in hand on most of the sides in the division. Credit: Gainsborough Trinity
Opponents: Hednesford Town
Hednesford come into this game sitting in second place in the table after falling from the top spot to Hebburn, who are only one point ahead of them.
The Pitmen didn’t have the best start to the year, losing to local rivals Rushall Olympic on New Year’s Day.
Since then, Gavin Hurren’s side have won their last three games in all competitions including a 2-1 home win against Burton Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup.
Most recently, Saturday’s visitors were 1-0 victors over Staffordshire rivals Leek Town last Saturday at Keys Park.
Following that win, manager Hurren said: “The lads carried out everything we asked. From minute one we had full control of that game.
“Gainsborough will be really tough; they have some good quality top players. If we go with the right game plan, we will have a positive result, we’re looking forward to going head-to-head with them.”
Town have also had other good news hitting the club as of late as they welcomed former Cheltenham Town midfielder Liam Kinsella to the club who adds a wealth of Football League experience to the Staffordshire side alongside Joss Labadie and Chris Hussey.
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Gainsborough hope to counter Hednesford’s experience with former Football League players of their own, such as Fraser Preston, Lewis Butroid and former Lincoln City forward Jonny Margetts.
Joining them is 18-year-old attacking midfielder Henry Brown, who signed for Trinity from SkyBet League Two side Grimsby Town on an initial 28-day loan.
Brown is eligible for the game on Saturday against Hednesford – recently playing in Grimsby’s big Carabao Cup fixture at home to Premier League side Manchester United.
On the move, Brown said: “I’m delighted to be here and very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me.
“Everyone has been very welcoming and I’m excited to get going and contribute to the team over the next month!
“I really enjoyed my first session with the lads, and I can’t wait to get going this weekend.”
Gainsborough hope to counter Hednesford’s experience with former Football League players of their own, such as Fraser Preston, Lewis Butroid and former Lincoln City forward Jonny Margetts. Credit: Gainsborough Trinity
Head-to-head:
When the two sides collided earlier in the campaign at Keys Park, Hednesford Town came out 2-0 winners, courtesy of an Akheem Rose brace within the first 20 minutes.
A big clash between Town and Trinity came in 2024 when the sides met in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper in Staffordshire, and following extra time the game still couldn’t be decided, which led to a penalty shootout.
Jordan Helliwell was the saviour for the Holy Blues in Staffordshire as the visitors won 5-4 on penalties to see them into the next round.
A win for Trinity would see them jump up to sixth place – dependent on other results around them – and be in a great place, especially with three or four games in hand on the teams around them.
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