The Northolme, home of Gainsborough Trinity based in Lincolnshire and play their trade in Step 3 of the non league pyramid in the Northern Premier League. Nicknamed the “Holy Blues” which I’m sure the name ‘Trinity’ can explain that one. A historic and well respected club! Once a Football League club in it’s really early days but has languished in the higher levels of the non league in it’s more recent days.
The oldest single team ground in the world!! Still going strong since 1884!! Well played Gainsborough!! Tonight they face Hyde United who like Gainsborough are stuck in the bottom half in the league which should hopefully mean goals goals goals right!? The drive from Shirebrook to Marshall’s Yard now… Just under an hour later and here we are!! Match Days Joe is here along with his dad Dave!! Our last game before Christmas, let’s hope it’s a Christmas Cracker!! £12 to get in here! Pricey… “Blue army!” Gainsborough fans going for it but so are the Hyde fans!
Kick Off! 8 minutes in and Gainsborough play forward, a through ball played to Bradley Grayson who’s onside, he goes for goal first time… Saved by the keeper! 13th minute and Gainsborough have a corner, in it comes… Neal Bishop with the header… Tipped over by the keeper! Another corner coming in… Cleared by Hyde.
A very dull first half unfortunately… Both teams having spells of possession but ultimately it certainly is telling as to why these teams are where they are in the league… 37 minutes on the clock and Gainsborough have a corner, in it comes… Headed up in the air by Hyde, both teams fight for it… It comes forward to Grayson in the box to shoot… Wide!
“Allez Allez Allez!” From the Hyde fans now! 43rd minute and Gainsborough have the ball in the Hyde half, they come forward from the right, a great passing move and Joe Wilson is free in the box on the right, he plays it across… The keeper gets a touch on it, it falls to Declan Bacon!!! WE’VE GOT A GOAL!!!! He turns it in!!! Gainsborough have the lead!!! A dull first half has turned on it’s head!!
1 minute later and Hyde have a corner, in it comes… Tongue is free at the far post… Great save by the keeper!! It’s another corner for Hyde, in towards Liam Tongue again… Poor header… Hyde win it back and here comes the volley from the edge of the box… The keeper claims! Gainsborough lead at half time.
Thanks to Match Days Joe for letting me have a few of his chips, I have gone and got some myself! The nicest chips I’ve had at a ground before!!!! Very similar to those they do at Five Guys!! Fantastic from Gainsborough!!
Second half, 48th minute and Hyde come forward, Pratt is played through and he gets a sight of goal, he goes for the lob… Too high! Goal kick. 54 minutes now and Hyde come forward down the left, played in low towards Pratt, he sets up Tongue on the edge of the box who shoots first time… He scuffs it wide…
“United! HYDE! United HYDE!” They’re doing themselves proud tonight! The Gainsborough faithful have been rather quiet this half… 63 minutes played and Hyde have a corner, it’s swung in low… It’s dangerous for Gainsborough… A goal mouth scramble! Great save by the keeper… Somehow Gainsborough clear the danger but it’s another corner… In it comes… Cleared by Gainsborough.
“Gainsborough! Gainsborough! Gainsborough!” There they are!! 68 minutes now and Hyde come forward down the right wing, Harry Ditchfield drives forward… He’s brought down there! The Referee… Has pointed to the spot… Out of the area for me! He goes over to his assistant… He’s changed his mind and it’s a free kick given instead! Good decision there Referee! Prifti steps up… Hits the wall and it’s a corner, in it comes… The keeper claims it.
“Come on you blues!!” Gainsborough fans are back! 82 minutes on the clock and Gainsborough win the ball in midfield, it’s played forward to Manni Norkett who drives forward, he gets into the box and goes for goal… Side netting.
84th minute and Hyde come forward, they have it down the right and in comes the cross, it’s Bradley Roscoe with the header… It’s there!!!! They’ve equalised!!! 1-1!! Hyde fans loving it!! The game goes on and it feels like there could be a winner in this… Will it happen? And if so who will get it?
Right at the death and Gainsborough win a corner, in it comes… It’s loose… Hyde get it away, Gainsborough get it back and cross it back in from the left… It’s all the way out and the Referee blows for full time! A good point for each team.
FT: Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Hyde United
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – Both sets of fans did themselves proud tonight but it wasn’t rocking sadly…
- The Ground: 10/10 – What a ground!! WHAT! A! GROUND! One of Mike Bayly’s 100 and I can see why!!! Stands at each end! One with a good vantage point and the others as standing terraces! I loved it!! Very old school and a dying breed in the game!! Unbelievable ground!!
- Expense: 7/10 – It was very boring at times but the last 10 minutes did perk up so it wasn’t too bad! Great to see Neal Bishop once again! Would have loved him to score!!
- Overall Experience: 7.5/10 – I enjoyed my night with Match Days Joe and Dave but the game didn’t live up to it tonight sadly… I’m delighted to finally tick this historic ground off in the meantime! It did not disappoint!!
28.5/40