"Bucks aiming to make Gainsborough boys blue in FA Cup clash"

Match Date : August 31st, 2024 3:00 pm
Competition : FA Cup
Ground : The Northolme
Kick Off : 15:00

The Bucks travel to Lincolnshire to take on Gainsborough Trinity in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round next weekend.

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that the two sides were squaring off against each other on a regular basis in the National League North, but it’s over six years since the Bucks last faced the Holy Blues. Rob Edwards’ Bucks came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 that day in April 2018, and in doing so the Bucks secured safety while pushing Trinity towards the trap door.

Gainsborough ultimately ended that season in 20th spot and were relegated for the first time ever in their history. The Holy Blues have been in the Northern Premier League Premier Division ever since, usually featuring in and around the playoff picture. Having finished 4th in the 2022-23 campaign, Trinity started last season badly and found themselves in relegation trouble. In came manager Russ Wilcox in September 2023 and, after some initially inconsistent form, his side ended the season with 11 wins from 14 to finish just short of the playoffs in 8th.

Boss Wilcox was in charge of Farsley during the 2022-23 season, the Bucks’ most recent in the National League North, but he left at the end of the campaign having secured Celtic’s safety by a single point. In his first role as manager, Wilcox led Scunthorpe United to a 2nd place finish in League Two during the 2013/14, going unbeaten in his first 28 games – an unofficial world record at the time.

Over the summer, Wilcox added Sheffield Wednesday legend Kevin Pressman to his coaching staff, while the playing squad was bolstered with a number of new faces including midfielder Joe Stacey (Alfreton), utility man Jordan Helliwell (Wakefield), goalkeeper Josh Render (Olympic FC) and former Buck Aaron Simpson (Salisbury). Trinity’s key man, though, is forward Declan Howe, who notched 25 goals in 33 games last season to claim the Northern Premier League Golden Boot. Howe has begun the current campaign in good form too, finding the net three times in his first four outings.

The Holy Blues started the current campaign with a draw and a win, but a subsequent run of three defeats in four have dented momentum. Trinity are currently 12th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Kevin Wilkin’s men lost 1-0 to Coalville Town in this round last year, which means that the Bucks have now won just two FA Cup games in the last six years. The Bucks did win the only previous FA Cup meeting between the two sides 5-0, a 4th Qualifying Round clash 13 years ago, But it’s over a decade since the Bucks last won at The Northolme, where we have not won in three visits – losing the last two. But Kevin Wilkin will be hoping to change both of those records, as the Bucks look to add their name to the hat for the next round.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Website: www.gainsboroughtrinity.com

Ground Address: The Northolme, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2QW