Report: Gainsborough Trinity 0-6 Iron

The Iron ran rampant over Gainsborough Trinity under the floodlights, scoring six goals.

A few changes were made from the weekend’s win over Ilkeston, with Aaron Chapman in goal, a defence line of Andrew Boyce, Will Evans, Tyler Denton and Reagan Ogle, getting his first few minutes since injury. Dean Rance, Fin Shrimpton and Alfie Beestin filled out the midfield with Cameron Wilson and Jason Law out wide and Danny Elliott leading the line. 

The first chance of the game came in the fourth minute via a looping Beestin header over the bar, following a cross by Law.

Both teams traded blows throughout the opening 10 minutes, with the Iron looking the more likely to score.

The Iron were in behind again following a through ball by Beestin to Elliott, however his shot was blocked with 16 minutes on the clock.

Shortly after, Trinity claimed the first corner of the game, and had a free shot from the penalty spot, only for the chance to go sailing over the bar by number 18.

Another piece of good passing movement allowed Denton to play Elliott into the area, however the Trinity defence held strong for the initial shot and rebound by Denton forcing a first Iron corner.

Following the corner, a cross by Ogle reached Beestin and he spun to hit the ball on the half-volley, which forced a save from the 'keeper.

A free-kick played by Shrimpton nearly broke the stalemate, however a header by Boyce whistled inches over the bar.

The Iron did not have to wait much longer to take the lead, as a cross by Wilson forced the keeper to parry the ball into the six-yard box and Law was in the right place to tap into an empty net with 34 minutes played.

Following the restart, Trinity immediately gave the ball away allowing Law to have another crack but could only force a good stop from the Trinity 'keeper.

The final action of the first half was from Wilson, his half-volley being saved comfortably by the Trinity shot stopper.

Into the second half, the Iron ramped up the pressure from the start, with two changes (Michael Kelly and Michael Clunan replacing Ogle and Law) helping to freshen up the Iron’s attack.

Beestin was inches away from a first pre-season goal as his header flew towards goal after a deep cross by Clunan.

Trinity did have a bit of forward momentum; however, they could only force a comfortable save from Chapman. 

The Iron found a second goal with only six minutes of the second half being played. A through ball to Denton allowed him to play the ball across the six-yard box for Kelly to tap into an empty net and claim his first pre-season goal. 

United immediately got a third just three minutes later, as Elliott received the ball on the half-way line and played Wilson in behind with a clever through ball, and he made no mistake as he slotted it under the goalkeeper. 

Scunthorpe were starting to overwhelm the Trinity backline, as shots from Beestin and Rance curled just wide of the post following some impressive build-up play.

A fourth goal came with just as quick succession as the third. Wilson received the ball in the 18-yard box and his deflected shot wrong-footed the 'keeper and rolled into the back of the net with 57 minutes played.

The Iron were awarded a penalty just minutes later after Harrison Poulter got round the Trinity backline and was subsequently bundled down in the box. Elliott coolly fired it home for five.

A sixth goal seemed inevitable when the ball reached Whitehall at the back post following a one-two between Beestin and Kian Scales, only for it to crash off the post and out with 70 minutes on the clock.

Whitehall had another chance to get his maiden goal as he was played in behind again, however the Trinity keeper remained strong.

Some tight, intricate football allows Scales to have another chance from range, but it was yet again saved by the Trinity keeper on 78 minutes.

The hosts had another shot late on in the match, allowing a routine save for Chapman who had very little to do for most of the match.

A sixth goal did come with five minutes to go. Following some good play, the ball was played across the box and Whitehall was in the right place to bundle it home following a good initial save from the Gainsborough 'keeper.

The one-way traffic ensued right up until the final whistle, with Beestin, Poulter and Scales all coming close to claiming a seventh.

The full-time whistle blew shortly after, bring a close to a wonderful display of football from the Iron and an impressive goal tally.

IRON: Chapman, Ogle (Kelly, 45), Denton (Barrows, 58), Evans, Boyce (Kouogun, 58) Rance (Scales, 58), Wilson (Poulter, 58), Shrimpton, Elliott (Whitehall, 67), Beestin, Law (Clunan, 45)

IRON SUBS NOT USED: Fitzsimons.