REPORT: GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 3-0 UNITED

[b]BY CALLUM WRIGHT[/b]

Basford’s woes on the road continued as they fell to Lincolnshire side Gainsborough Trinity 3-0 this afternoon

Jack Lewis was unlucky to open the account for the Holy Blues with a deflected own goal, and the Ambers were sunk in the second half by a Declan Howe spot kick and a late goal from Joe Stacey.

It was a tentative start in Gainsborough as both teams tried to make an early breakthrough, but both defenses stood firm against the pressure. The home team held a fair share of the ball, albeit with no signs of the Amber backline faltering.

Basford slowly grew into the game as the half an hour mark approached, but aside from some hopefully crosses inside the box, a crucial chance couldn’t be carved out of the stubborn Blues.

The eventual deadlock breaker came in an unexpected way as a lovely long ball from Dylan Cogill looked to cause chaos, before a scrappy ball from Lewis Butroid travelled through the box and Jack Lewis attempted to clear, but instead sent the ball into the bottom corner of his own net to give Gainsborough the lead in the 29th minute.

The Holy Blues almost doubled their lead almost immediately with Butroid found one on one with Kieran Preston, but the Basford number one brilliantly saved the shot. A cagey atmosphere fell upon the pitch leading into the interval as neither side could make a mark. A mark had already been made on the Ambers however as they went into the break behind in unlucky fashion.

Basford looked the aggressors early on in the second with Remaye Campbell and Tyler Dacres both having half chances but the crucial touches couldn’t be taken. At the hour mark, despite plenty of space opening up for the Ambers on the counter, they struggled to break down a statute home backline.

With the juice seemingly leaking out of Basford’s attack as the time for a leveler shortened, Dacres took the ball in midfield and beat five Gainsborough players before curling a shot towards the corner, but it flew just wide for the youngster.

A similar run from Butroid had him pierce towards the Basford box, and as Mason Frizelle attempt to stop him he rather unfortunately slipped and his hand landed on the ball giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot in the 74th minute. Gainsborough’s top scorer Declan Howe stepped up and calmly doubled their lead.

Misery continued for the Ambers as fine attacking play by the Holy Blues saw Howe play in substitute Joe Stacey at close range, who’s finish wasn’t pretty but snuck past Preston nonetheless to make it three in the 82nd minute.

Dacres was once again close to his first senior Basford goal but a sensational save by Dylan Wharton at very close range denied him. It would be the last chance of the game as the whistle confirmed another disappointing away day for the Ambers, as it ended 3-0.

Next up will be the semi final of the Notts Senior Cup, where a trip to play Clipstone Utd is in order on Wednesday night. (KO 7:45pm)

UNITED: Preston, Ridgely (Dacres 43’), Barnes, Lewis (Tyson, 69’), Frizelle, Fenton, Thomas, Thornhill (Ritzema, 83’), Campbell, Mancinelli, James

SUBS (not used): Tomlin, Saane