Trinity play-off hopes halted at Hyde in final game
Gainsborough Trinity's 3-1 defeat in their final game at Hyde United on Saturday saw their outside hopes of a place in the play-offs ended for another season.
The sun shone down on the Project Solar Stadium, on a beautiful Spring day on Tameside.
The result however didn’t match the conditions, as the travelling Trinity faithful didn’t get to see the result – or performance they were hoping for.
And, with other vital results not going Gainsborough’s wayeither – it was a disappointing way to end another season filled with highs and lows, ups and downs.
Trinity were blown away by three goals in a 22-minute window early in the first half. Uncharacteristically, the Holy Blues backline looked collectively out of sorts.
It took just 10 minutes for the hosts to get their noses in front.
Former Manchester City youngster, Jack Redshaw’s clever movement caught the Blues napping – and he rifled past David Robson.
Trinity had half chances but seemed to be content to let the hosts have more of the ball.
But when Harrison Beeden was pulled out of position, Ben Kershaw ran off the back of Beeden and lifted over the advancing Trinity No.1 for 2-0 on 27 minutes.
A Frank Mulhern free kick, was blocked and held at the second attempt, from fully 35 yards before Hyde netted an easy third, Maeico with the simplest of tap ins at the back post, after Trinity were caught with a straight ball down the Hyde right.
Perhaps misjudging the flight of the ball, Dontai Gabbidon was able to get down the right, picking out the supporting No.9 – and he seemingly wrapped up the game inside 32 minutes.
When an Aaron Simpson corner was floated in, both Leckie and Beeden were denied at close range by Holmes, and you began to think it perhaps wasn’t to be Trinity’s day.
Javelle Clarke come on for Trinity at the break to inject a bit more urgency about the visitors’ play.
Simpson cut inside and tested Holmes, who turned the effort behind for a corner.
Tuntulwana was presented with a glorious opportunity to reduce the arrears, but with just the keeper to beat, Holmes stuck out a leg.
Robson was twice called into action in quick succession, saving from Kershaw initially, before smothering Redshaw's follow up attempt.
Trinity were having some joy down the Hyde left hand side. And a ball fizzed across goal on 74 minutes took a slight deflection into the path of Clarke.
He took a touch, but his finish was wayward.
However, Beeden was in the right place to divert the ball past Holmes, and despite appeals for offside - the flag stayed down and Trinity had one back.
Mulhern, twice, and Clarke came close to another but in the end, Trinity finished the season in seventh place – a spot that next season would see the Holy Blues in the extended play-off shake up at the eliminator phase.