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Gainsborough's manager speaks after defeat to Boston United and considers their opening league game at Ilkeston



𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗫 | 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 The final pre-season friendly finished in a 0-1 defeat to Boston United. Two leagues above, but a great account of ourselves. Hear what the boss had to say, here:  



youtube.comt2024/24 | PSF 07 | Gainsborough Trinity 0 Boston United 1 | 03/08/24 11:06 am · 4 Aug 2024


 

Last edited by Matchman (04/8/2024 8:15 PM)

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Gainsborough finished last season strongly winning 11 of their last 14 matches which propelled them from 15th to 8th in the table. They finished with 63 points, 3 points more than Ilkeston. Ilkeston also finished the season well with 5 straight wins before losing their final match at Warrington Rylands. 

Gainsborough’s record last season was  P40,W19, D6, L15,  GD +3,   Points 63 
Gainsborough’s home record was            P20, W12. D4. L4.  GD +18,  Points 40 
Gainsborough’s away record was             P20, W7,  D2, L11,  GD -15,  Points 23 

So, a very good home record but not so good on the road.

 

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At the end of  the 2017-18 Gainsborough Trinity were relegated from the National League North to the Northern Premier League after finishing with 46 points from 42 matches. Trinity have remained in the Northern Premier League since then.
Interestingly, in the 2016-17 season they survived relegation from the National League North with 10 points less ie. 36 points from 42 matches.

Following their relegation Gainsborough finished 6th in the 2018-19 season with 65 points from 40 matches, just one point behind Buxton who took the final playoff spot. 

The 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons were not completed  due to COVID

In season 2021-22 Gainsborough finished 16th with 50 points from 42 matches  

In the 2022-23 season Gainsborough made the playoffs, after finishing in 4th place with 69 points from 42 matches. They were beaten in the playoff semi final 5-3 on penalties by Bamber Bridge after a 1-1 draw.

Last season (2023-24) they finished 8th with 63 points from 42 matches.



  

Last edited by Matchman (07/8/2024 8:46 AM)

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Only 2 days now until the season starts with a home game against Gainsborough Trinity. 

Last season Ilkeston had the 5th best away record in the league winning 10 of our 20 away matches. Unfortunately our record in home matches was not so good. Eight wins gave us a home win percentage only 40%. Only Bamber Bridge, Basford and the 3 relegated teams did worse on their own ground. A couple more home wins would have taken us close to the playoffs.
  
Last season it could be concluded that our team set up is better suited to away matches and it’s our home results which need to improve this season. This may prove to be the case again this coming season. I think we have a stronger defence this season after the addition of Mitchell Robinson so hopefully we will concede less goals. On the other hand, if Tom Cursons leaves as expected, then our ability to score will be severely tested. Sacha Markelic will get an opportunity to replace him and after showing some good pre-season form, Koby Eratt-Thompson could break into the team and be a source of goals with his surges down the left.  

 

Last edited by Matchman (08/8/2024 5:24 AM)

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6' 5" keeper returns to Gainsborough in time to face Ilkeston


SENSATIONAL SWOOP SEES BLUES LAND WHARTON

Goalkeeper Dylan Wharton has made a sensational return to the Holy Blues. The popular 'keeper was released by Sheffield United in the Summer, despite excelling for the Holy Blues during the last campaign. A campaign hindered by injury and illness, he still managed to keep six clean sheets in 24 games. And, was a formidable last line of defence.
Standing at 6 foot 5 inches tall, Wharton has an imposing frame & a calming influence on the back line. The Trinity faithful are sure to welcome him back, with open arms. Speaking of his return, the likeable Wharton enthused, "I'm made up to be back at Gainsborough. After the ups and downs of last season- and how everybody stuck by me, to have the opportunity to come back and be a part of things for the 2024/25 season really wasn't a difficult decision to make.
The way we finished the season last year, and the way Russ has kept the squad together & recruited some really good players, there's no reason why we can't be challenging for promotion this season.”
"Gainsborough is a real family club, and from the moment I walked into the club, I have been made to feel welcome. Just watching the team last weekend, interactions with the fans was class. And I know my family have always been made welcome when they have come to support me. I can't wait to start the next chapter of my career as a full time Gainsborough Trinity player. Here's to a successful season!"
Hearing how Dylan speaks about his time at the club last season, and his ambitions for the upcoming campaign, it is a really exciting time for everyone involved at Gainsborough Trinity. And boss, Russ Wilcox gave his endorsement, "I am delighted that Dylan Wharton is back with us at Gainsborough Trinity working alongside fellow goalkeeper Josh Render. He knows the hard work starts now. He hasn’t played any games since last season, but I’m sure under the guidance of ex-Premiership goalkeeper, Kevin Pressman he will improve and develop. He knows most of the group and staff really well, so he should settle in very quickly. Welcome back Dylan."
The club can confirm the departure of Ollie Battersby, and thank him for his efforts during his short stay at the club. And we wish him every success moving forwards.


 

Last edited by Matchman (08/8/2024 5:51 PM)

Alex wrote:

I've known him from the age of 14. Good lad but wasn't he in goal when we beat them 4-0

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Yes, Wharton was in the Gainsborough team. These were the two teams on Tuesday 15th August 2023.

Ilkeston Town
1 Yates, 2 Barrows, 3 Wilder, 4 Eratt-Thompson, 5 Cox, 6 Fenton, 7 Tolley, 8 Dixon, 9 Tyson, 10 Hallam, 11 Walker.
Bench :  12 Hanson, 14 Zottos, 15 Jepson, 16 Alexander-Tucker, GK Woodward.

Gainsborough Trinity:
1 Wharton, 2 Hornshaw, 3 Putrid, 4 Lovesick, 5 Cogill, 6 Flint, 7 Clarke, 8 Johnson, 9 Goodman, 10 Sneigrove, 11 Poulter. 
Bench : 12 Porritt, 14 Moore-Billam, 15 Parkinson, 16 Slew, 17 Holvey.



Only 4 of Ilkeston's 16 players on that team sheet remain. (Yates, Eratt-Thompson, Dixon and Walker)


 

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It's important that we take three points from our opener against Gainsborough because the following two fixtures are tough.  When we went to Mickleover in the FA Cup last season we were well beaten. FC United away in front of 1500 opposing fans is always going to be difficult. We were unlucky to lose there last season so maybe this season we'll have a change of luck. If we can get through our first three fixtures unbeaten and with five points it would be a fantastic start.



 

An excellent insight into how Gainsborough tick! I remember a conversation about how Gainsborough appeared to never get promoted or relegated and were always mid table. We thought that would have been lovely at Ilkeston. I also recall this conversation was in the middle of the many Ilkeston upheavals! I think we went bust a few weeks later?

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The wait is over. The 2024-25 season begins today and there are sure to be many ups and downs.

Here's hoping we get off to good start in our first match.

Updates here throughout the match and team news around 2-30pm

Ilkeston Town
1 Yates, 2 Wafula, 3 Parker, 4 Perch, 5 Marshall T, 6 Minkley, 7 Brandy, 8 Dixon, 9 Cursons, 10 Meikle, 11 Walker.
Bench ; 12 Brown, 14 Markelic, 15 Robinson, 16 Kirby-Moore, 17 Daniel.

Gainsborough Trinity
1 Render, 2 Simpson, 3 Jackson, Heluwell, 5 Tuntulwana, 6 Lancaster, 7 Butroid, 8 Braithwaite, 9 Southwell, 10 Howe, 11 Preston.
Bench: 12 Sani, 13 Wharton, 14 Stacey, 15 McLoughlin 16 Conway.
 

Last edited by Matchman (10/8/2024 12:35 PM)

What a feeling as the players come out to loud applause.

Be still my trembling hands

Last edited by Matchman (10/8/2024 12:58 PM)

Ilkeston first to attack. Walkers cross deflected for a corner but nothing from it  Trinity break and Parker does well to end the attack.       0-0.   5 mins

Good attacking play by Southwell and Marshall has to concede a corner. 
Brandy replaced by Colin Daniel.      0-0.   16 mins

Howe has a go on the volley but it's wide. Ilkeston are slightly on top but Render hasn't been tested yet. 
0-0.       32 mins