Although we associate pre-season with games against our local non-league sides, it is surprising to see that there isn’t much of a recent record against Gainsborough Trinity.
There have only been three games in the foreseeable past, both played in pre-season.Last season saw United defeat Trinity 2-1 in their July warm-up games, as Matt Godden and Jamie Wootton hit the target.
The Holy Blues, as they are sometimes otherwise nicknamed, often provide a greater test than some other preseason friendlies we hold; in recent years being very solid at the back, and offering strength going forward. That said, the Iron haven’t lost to their counterparts in the three recent fixtures played against them; but they haven’t yet convincingly beaten them.
20/07/11 – Gainsborough Trinity 0-1 Scunthorpe United
Following a 7-0 win at Bottesford Town and a 3-1 success at Winterton Rangers, the Iron’s preseason exploits of 2011 seemed to have hit a stumbling block in the form of FC Halifax Town. A rarity fixture saw the hosts at the Shay come out victorious, with Scunthorpe offering nothing going forward.
It meant they went into the fixture against Trinity four days later a little shaken up, with manager Alan Knill maintaining the focus of preseason was going well; building up the fitness. If you remember back just two years ago, you may remember the former manager’s tactics in preseason; to play the defence into trouble (AKA play along the back), giving the defence and goalkeeper more of a workout that could be expected.
The fixture in question ended with a solitary goal from Andy Barcham, a player to thrive in this particular season, who notched home at the Northolme, curling home in the opening minutes with no reply from the hosts. The Iron went onto beat Rotherham 2-0 before ending preseason with a 5-0 defeat at home to Barnsley.
28/07/09 – Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Scunthorpe United
Two years previous, and the Iron’s preseason exploits were going far better. Preparation for a season which would see two Wembley visits, a play-off final win and history made got off to a blistering start, with 24 goals scored by Scunthorpe in the first four fixtures. A 12-0 win over Brigg and 5-0 scorelines over Jersey and Winterton Rangers set up the Iron for the tougher fixture against Gainsborough.
Grant McCann netted the only goal for the Iron, a penalty after referee Michael Naylor spotted an infringement in the area. The Iron kicked off under a torrential downpour, with McCann’s goal coming after just seven minutes. Despite the conditions, the referee gave no leniency to the Trinity tackles, again pointing to the spot on 28 minutes. McCann took the spot kick again, but this time evaded the post.
The second half saw a host of changes, and the home side soon came back into the game; being rewarded for their chances on 52 minutes, as Burberry poked the ball past Iron substitute Sam Slocombe.
29/11/30 – Gainsborough Trinity 1-0 Scunthorpe United
Type the head to head record of Gainsborough and Scunthorpe into Soccerbase and this is the only return. A competitive fixture in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in 1930 saw Gainsborough head through to the second round. The duo of teams in the Midland League had to come through Fourth Round Qualifying ties, with the Iron beating Worcester City 3-0.