Gainsborough Trinity 2-1 Grantham Town (FA Cup Second Qualifying Round)
It’s amazing to think that after being sacked following a 5-0 home defeat to Nantwich Town in 2013, I’ve not been back to Grantham, nor have I seen them play since.
That was almost eleven years ago, when I was part of the clubs coaching staff, but enough water has flowed down the River Witham to put the anguish aside and finally give the Gingerbreads a watch, after all a lot has changed, not many faces are the same, and I’ve always been meaning to go back and watch them play, so this tie against Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Cup makes perfect opportunity, an all Lincolnshire derby with some decent prize money (over £3,000) and a place in the next round at stake.
In truth, there’s no animosity, only fond memories, I just don’t cover the level Grantham are at these days, as I usually work lowest step 3, the only opportunities I get to see teams from outside the top seven leagues in England are in cup games like this, so when I saw that they were playing at the Northolme against the Holy Blues it worked favourably to stick my name down and hopefully see a few ‘older’ friendly faces in attendance.
Gainsborough, not to be forgotten, are currently in the Northern Premier League, and doing ok in the middle of the pack after eight games played so far. Grantham, have dropped a division from where I left them in 2013, these days in the Midland Division of the NPL, they have only played four league games due largely to their cup run, and because of that are twentieth in the 22 team league.
It’s a short hour long drive to Gainsborough so I’ve left Nottingham at 1pm, the sun shining on a cool September Saturday afternoon as I head across the A46 past Newark and up through Collingham, before reaching the Lincs border and getting into town, where I park up on Church Street and walk past the Elm Cottage pub towards Northolme Stadium and the turnstile entrance behind the goal on North Street.
The Venue
Quintessentially working class Britain, this is a proper old northern football ground and is said to be the oldest single occupancy stadium in the country, having opened in 1850 it has hosted games for Gainsborough Trinity since 1884.
I’m walking around the perimeter to my seat as I see Nigel sat down in the Main Stand watching the two sets of players warm up, he was the physio at Grantham Town whilst I was there but is now groundsman at the club, he’s hardly changed but for a heart operation as he tells me what’s been going off over recent years, ‘debt free’ he says after some turbulent years of over spending, it seems the last owners had a go at chucking around the cash which ended up mostly in the pockets of Nathan Tyson, Carlton Palmer, Kevin Pressman and some other big name gambles which flattered to deceive.
I wish Nigel well as he invites me to come sit in the boardroom with him for a match soon, and head up to the top of the stand where the Gainsborough media team sits with local radio crew, this game getting a bit of attention in Lincolnshire due to the magnitude of this FA Cup ‘derby’ fixture.
It's a great view but for the post which blocks half the goal to my left, the stadium backed by terraced houses has a beautiful looking pitch, bright green under the sunny skies, it will certainly suit the passing styles on show, although I’m told of a huge throw in the Grantham armour, which is used at every opportunity, they do like to play a bit and have a young side, although shouldn’t be too much threat for Gainsborough.
The Game
Grantham in yellow start well, there’s a low tempo to proceedings as they sit off and allow the home side in blue some space but it’s an even opening and Lewis Darlington is first to trouble notching the score-line as his shot inside the area is easily saved by Wharton.
I’m sat with another familiar face at the back of the stand in Graham, who for many years has looked after the media department at Grantham. “your hairs grown since I last saw you” I tell Graham who these days has long grey locks, he was at a gig last night which explains the hair and tells me a bit about his clubs best young players as we are both unexpectedly impressed with the start which includes a couple of long throws into the box by Sam Muggleton, but after a few half chances at each end, Declan Howe gets in for the home side and opens the scoring, it could be a long afternoon from here, although I keep the optimism up for Graham’s behalf.
Gainsborough aren’t great, they aren’t fully at it but you can tell the difference in the two sides, Grantham look young, slightly nervy of the occasion and lack ideas in the final third, Trinity are much better, stronger, they have the experience and nous but you get the feeling they’re playing the game with their foot off the gas.
That said, a lovely move on 41 has Howe turn and skip past two defenders, he slots home a second which is the difference in the two sides on the day, that bit of quality and sharpness in the last quarter, where and when it really counts.
The Score
I discuss with Graham his sides chances at the break as we agree it might be a one sided second half, but Grantham again start well, Gainsborough continue in third gear, it gives the away team a route back in as they look more likely to score next, and do so when Edington gets inside the box, a lucky break has the ball fall to Darlington who calmly places past Wharton, suddenly the home side have a fight on their hands.
But fight they do, they always seem in control despite Grantham’s best efforts, the busier of the goalkeepers is certainly Curtis Hall, but it’s a plucky display from the side of a division below and by the end of the game, I say to Graham “they’ll be two happy managers to interview tonight”. Louis Bland of Grantham will be pleased that his side fought until the end and proved a match for Gainsborough throughout the ninety minutes. Russ Wilcox will be happy just to get through and avoid a potential banana skin for another chance at prolonged progression in the world's oldest cup.
The Stars
Declan Howe was the difference and deservedly got the PA's man of the match for his efforts despite the guy a row down from me shouting "It should have been number three", he’s not the quickest or strongest but his intelligence off the ball makes up for that, good movement, some grace, he knows where the net is too.
A player I liked in my previous visit to Gainsborough was a summer signing from Grantham in Sisa Tuntulwana. A centre half who can play right back, he has great feet and technical ability, at just 20 years old has an old head on young shoulders, is combative and confident, good in the air, decent on the deck, I think much too good for the level.
Tuntulwana makes everything look easy and cruises through this particular game with a steady six out of ten, but like many of his teammates on the day, you feel his performance can go up a notch or two.
For Grantham, they were plucky and full of effort but lacked real quality in their young legs, centre half Muggleton did have a huge throw and it didn't go un-noticed but he got injured midway through the first half and was replaced by Henderson at the break. There was plenty of pace and positivity in the Gingerbreads attack but no real conviction, Brad Munns and Ethan Bojang perhaps the best on the day, but despite their efforts they were largely always second best.
The Verdict
Gainsborough can and will perform better in the league and lose, they perhaps got away with it slightly but despite underperforming were never really put under serious pressure. They’ll be ok this season no question, and they’ll be hopeful of a nice tie next in the cup.
Grantham have a young team and as Graham and Nigel echoed, are probably a year off where they need to be. Consolidation is the aim this season, no relegation, no promotion, just a competitive force in the division they’re in, that might be the objective, but they’ll be looking over their shoulder in hoping they can achieve it without issue, a couple of old heads might boost their chances for easing survival, but from a distance, I’ll always have my eye on how the team does, and will be hoping they can comfortably achieve their season goal.
The Teams
Gainsborough Trinity: Dylan Wharton, Aaron Simpson, Will Lancaster, Bailey Conway (Jordan Helliwell 68), Sisa Tuntulwana, Dylan Cogill, Lewis Butroid (Joe Stacey 74), Bobby Johnson (Aaron Braithwaite 84), Dayle Southwell, Declan Howe, Fraser Preston (Javelle Clarke 68).
Grantham Town: Curtis Hall, Ryan Ebanks, Louis Nicholson (Harry Olivant 77), Sam Muggleton (Harvey Henderson 46), Richard Black, Sam Edington (Max Cook 62), Lewis Darlington, Bradley Munns, Mason Lee, Luke Harris, Ethan Bojang (Lewis Daff 70).
3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 14th September 2024, The Northolme, Gainsborough (att 519).
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