Delighted to finally start this new journey of mine into writing and ground hopping and really pleased to start it at Gainsborough's Dave Longstaff Martin and Co Arena, recently renamed in memory of one of the club's sponsors.
The Ground
The Dave Longstaff Martin and Co Arena, a ground many will know as the Northolme, has been Gainsborough's home for almost 140 years and has a real non-league character to it. It is easily accessible with lots of street parking available and two railway stations feeding the town.
The main stand, the Ping Stand, can be seen as very similar to many stands at grounds at this level and helps, in my opinion, to add to the character of the place. I like the seating area, the terracing behind the goals and around the sides of the pitch gives you the ability to watch the game from any viewpoint. The Blues Bar attached to the ground is ideal for a pre match pint and I enjoyed being able to have a beer whilst watching the match. Beer is priced as you would expect in 2022 and food is available in the bar, sandwiches and bar snacks. From the kiosk inside the ground - hot food such as chips and pies- but I would warn you that they don't take card so have cash ready. The ground and set up at Gainsborough gives a positive lower league character to the stadium.
Match Preview
Going in to the game, and any first friendly of every new season, a big interest of mine is seeing how new signings settle in. Despite this game only being a friendly, there is added intrigue due to both teams starting new eras under new management teams. Damon Parkinson, and former blues midfielder Neal Bishop have taken the reigns at Trinity after Tom Shaw's departure (to the Lincoln City first team staff). The top job at Lincoln has been filled by former Liverpool winger and most expensive teeanger, Mark Kennedy. Both new management teams have added to their squads and, you would expect, will do so again before the start of the season. Gainsborough have former Lincoln man Andrew Wright and ex Sheffield Wednesday youngster Liam Waldock among their new recruits whereas Lincoln have welcome Paudie O'Connor from Bradford and Charley Kendall from Eastbourne amongst their summer recruits.
The Teams
Having briefly discussed the new signings and wondering whether they will play, the thing you are waiting for is the announcement of the teams. Lincoln announced that they would field a different eleven in both halves, giving their players a 45 minute work out but Gainsborough's social media confirmed they would not be providing a team sheet due to the number of trialists they were fielding - so apologies but when discussing Gainsborough it will very much be shirt number based! Lincoln's first half XI included young goalkeeper Sam Long, fellow academy graduate Hayden Cann and former Gainsborough loanee Javon Makama - these youngsters were alongside two of the club's summer signings in Paudie O'Connor and Charles Vernam. The second half team welcomed captain Regan Poole, new signing Charley Kendall and academy youngsters Morgan Worsfield-Gregg, Elicha Ahui and Billy Brooks. The League One club going for a real mixture of youth and experience in both halves.
The Match
The match itself was, quite probably, very close to what was expected with the League One outfit having more than their fair share of possession against their Northern Premier Division opponents. Lincoln opened the game with lots of the ball down their left, new centre half O'Connor regularly looking for either the full back Roughan or Charles Vernam. However, it was down the right handside that they created their first major opportunity when a cutback found its way to Vernam whose strike was tipped over by the Gainsborough keeper. Gainsborough did attempt to throw a punch of their own a couple of minutes later with a curling effort from the left going just wide. Vernam was involved in the next few moves for the Imps as he had what may best be described as a sighter from distance that went well wide before delivering a cross onto Makama's head only for the young striker to not get his accuracy going on this occasion. I liked the confidence of the Gainsborough number 4 who was happy to collect the ball in tight areas, looked controlled in position and put the odd firm challenge in too. There was also a very calm and skilful moment from the Gainsborough number 8 who controlled a Lincoln pull back, dragged it back to beat a man and then played a neat pass all inside his own box and against repeated cries of, 'Just clear it!'. Gainsborough did force Sam Long in to action after around 35 minutes with a well struck freekick that needed saving low to his right. Shortly after, City found a way through the home side's defence when some neat play found left back Sean Roughan and his good cross was met by Teddy Bishop to head home from a few yards out. Moments later it was two and this time it was Roughan getting his name on the score sheet after a half-cleared shot was layed to him and his decent strike was deflected, going in off the post. Half time 0-2.
The second half saw a whole new team for the away side, some changes for the hosts and a similar pattern to the first. Lincoln keeper Jordan Wright had very little to do as Lincoln continued to dominate possession and look to create chances. Loan signing Tashan Oakley-Boothe looked lively, breaking forward and carrying the ball and Morgan Worsfield-Gregg looked composed when in possession. It wasn't until the 77th minute that the third goal arrived, former Eastbourne striker Kendall getting on the end of an Oakley-Boothe flick on to finish high into the net with his right foot from just inside the area. Scottish left back Jamie Robson had replaced Roughan at half time and he linked well with Billy Brooks down the left to put Kendall in again, only this time he was crowded out and his shot was blocked. Gainsborough kept going and created a chance of their own inside the last ten minutes with a shot from the right corner of Lincoln's box taking a deflection and going out for a corner. It may only be a friendly but I have to mention Lincoln's Regan Poole who had an excellent season last year and looks to be firing again, looking at it and determined from his first minute. There was time for the visitors to grab a fourth with just a few minutes to go when some great work from Ben House saw him keep possession as he was pushed slightly wide and his chipped cross was headed in well by Ireland Under 19s international Billy Brooks. During the second half, we stood near the dugout behind the Lincoln staff - being a bit of a football nerd, I always find it interesting listening to the managers and coaches. Spectators may feel players have done well or were unlucky but Kennedy was constantly offering instruction and was frustrated when things didn't work out how he hoped.
Player Focus - Billy Brooks-
I thought I would do the odd player focus from these games just to highlight an individual and their performance. I would have liked to have done a player from the home team today but the lack of team sheet made that difficult for me so I opted for the player closest to my standpoint in the second half and goalscorer, Billy Brooks. He looked very composed and tidy on the ball when in possession and showed a willingness to track back when needed. I have seen on social media that he recently played at right back for the Irish Under 19 team but his role today was as a left winger. He seemed to like drifting inside, suggesting he is also used to a more central role. He displayed some neat touches, one of which a back heel that put Robson in for a cross; seems to like a tackle and was rewarded with a first senior goal, showing nice movement to lose his marker and get on the end of House's great work.
Great visit to Gainsborough Trinity and a great way to start the pre-season - I will definitely return for a league game when the opportunity arises.
The Ground
The Dave Longstaff Martin and Co Arena, a ground many will know as the Northolme, has been Gainsborough's home for almost 140 years and has a real non-league character to it. It is easily accessible with lots of street parking available and two railway stations feeding the town.
Match Preview
Going in to the game, and any first friendly of every new season, a big interest of mine is seeing how new signings settle in. Despite this game only being a friendly, there is added intrigue due to both teams starting new eras under new management teams. Damon Parkinson, and former blues midfielder Neal Bishop have taken the reigns at Trinity after Tom Shaw's departure (to the Lincoln City first team staff). The top job at Lincoln has been filled by former Liverpool winger and most expensive teeanger, Mark Kennedy. Both new management teams have added to their squads and, you would expect, will do so again before the start of the season. Gainsborough have former Lincoln man Andrew Wright and ex Sheffield Wednesday youngster Liam Waldock among their new recruits whereas Lincoln have welcome Paudie O'Connor from Bradford and Charley Kendall from Eastbourne amongst their summer recruits.
The Teams
Having briefly discussed the new signings and wondering whether they will play, the thing you are waiting for is the announcement of the teams. Lincoln announced that they would field a different eleven in both halves, giving their players a 45 minute work out but Gainsborough's social media confirmed they would not be providing a team sheet due to the number of trialists they were fielding - so apologies but when discussing Gainsborough it will very much be shirt number based! Lincoln's first half XI included young goalkeeper Sam Long, fellow academy graduate Hayden Cann and former Gainsborough loanee Javon Makama - these youngsters were alongside two of the club's summer signings in Paudie O'Connor and Charles Vernam. The second half team welcomed captain Regan Poole, new signing Charley Kendall and academy youngsters Morgan Worsfield-Gregg, Elicha Ahui and Billy Brooks. The League One club going for a real mixture of youth and experience in both halves.
The Match
The match itself was, quite probably, very close to what was expected with the League One outfit having more than their fair share of possession against their Northern Premier Division opponents. Lincoln opened the game with lots of the ball down their left, new centre half O'Connor regularly looking for either the full back Roughan or Charles Vernam. However, it was down the right handside that they created their first major opportunity when a cutback found its way to Vernam whose strike was tipped over by the Gainsborough keeper. Gainsborough did attempt to throw a punch of their own a couple of minutes later with a curling effort from the left going just wide. Vernam was involved in the next few moves for the Imps as he had what may best be described as a sighter from distance that went well wide before delivering a cross onto Makama's head only for the young striker to not get his accuracy going on this occasion. I liked the confidence of the Gainsborough number 4 who was happy to collect the ball in tight areas, looked controlled in position and put the odd firm challenge in too. There was also a very calm and skilful moment from the Gainsborough number 8 who controlled a Lincoln pull back, dragged it back to beat a man and then played a neat pass all inside his own box and against repeated cries of, 'Just clear it!'. Gainsborough did force Sam Long in to action after around 35 minutes with a well struck freekick that needed saving low to his right. Shortly after, City found a way through the home side's defence when some neat play found left back Sean Roughan and his good cross was met by Teddy Bishop to head home from a few yards out. Moments later it was two and this time it was Roughan getting his name on the score sheet after a half-cleared shot was layed to him and his decent strike was deflected, going in off the post. Half time 0-2.
The second half saw a whole new team for the away side, some changes for the hosts and a similar pattern to the first. Lincoln keeper Jordan Wright had very little to do as Lincoln continued to dominate possession and look to create chances. Loan signing Tashan Oakley-Boothe looked lively, breaking forward and carrying the ball and Morgan Worsfield-Gregg looked composed when in possession. It wasn't until the 77th minute that the third goal arrived, former Eastbourne striker Kendall getting on the end of an Oakley-Boothe flick on to finish high into the net with his right foot from just inside the area. Scottish left back Jamie Robson had replaced Roughan at half time and he linked well with Billy Brooks down the left to put Kendall in again, only this time he was crowded out and his shot was blocked. Gainsborough kept going and created a chance of their own inside the last ten minutes with a shot from the right corner of Lincoln's box taking a deflection and going out for a corner. It may only be a friendly but I have to mention Lincoln's Regan Poole who had an excellent season last year and looks to be firing again, looking at it and determined from his first minute. There was time for the visitors to grab a fourth with just a few minutes to go when some great work from Ben House saw him keep possession as he was pushed slightly wide and his chipped cross was headed in well by Ireland Under 19s international Billy Brooks. During the second half, we stood near the dugout behind the Lincoln staff - being a bit of a football nerd, I always find it interesting listening to the managers and coaches. Spectators may feel players have done well or were unlucky but Kennedy was constantly offering instruction and was frustrated when things didn't work out how he hoped.
Player Focus - Billy Brooks-
I thought I would do the odd player focus from these games just to highlight an individual and their performance. I would have liked to have done a player from the home team today but the lack of team sheet made that difficult for me so I opted for the player closest to my standpoint in the second half and goalscorer, Billy Brooks. He looked very composed and tidy on the ball when in possession and showed a willingness to track back when needed. I have seen on social media that he recently played at right back for the Irish Under 19 team but his role today was as a left winger. He seemed to like drifting inside, suggesting he is also used to a more central role. He displayed some neat touches, one of which a back heel that put Robson in for a cross; seems to like a tackle and was rewarded with a first senior goal, showing nice movement to lose his marker and get on the end of House's great work.
Great visit to Gainsborough Trinity and a great way to start the pre-season - I will definitely return for a league game when the opportunity arises.
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