Match Reports 2003/04

League

Trinity 3 Stanningley 2

Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney and Stevie Travers were the goal scorers as Trinity clinched second place in Senior B, and automatic promotion to Senior A, with a 3-2 victory over newly crowned champions Stanningley.

Due to injuries and various social commitments the Trinity squad was decimated for this important promotion encounter.  Luckily Stanningley, who had been crowned champions following their midweek win over Batelians also had a weakened team with several first team regulars absent.  The Trinity defence would have been particularly pleased to see the name of dangerous forward Eamonn O’Hanlon missing from the Stanningley teamsheet.  On a warm, sunny afternoon Trinity started the game well playing some good passing football.  However tension started to creep into the game as an early breakthrough failed to materialise.  Trinity started to give the ball away cheaply as they attempted to force the ball forward too quickly.  At the back they struggled to contain the Stanningley attackers especially the Stanningley’s left winger whose pace was causing all sorts of problems.  It was he who opened the scoring when he fired an excellent left foot shot past Jimmy Yates to make it 1-0 to Stanningley.  Trinity came back and equalised before half-time courtesy of crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney with a wonderful goal worthy of the occasion.  After beating a couple of players Matt Jordan’s cross from the left was only cleared to the edge of the area.  Mullowney brought the ball down with his chest, before dinking it over the advancing defender.  Managing to ignore the close attention of two advancing defenders he smashed the ball on the half volley into the roof of the net past the despairing arms of the keeper, to make it 1-1. A goal of poise and power and definitely a leading contender for goal of the season.

After much needed water intake at half-time Trinity began to relax more in the second half.  Stevie Travers made it 2-1 to Trinity with a brave header at the far post after a cross from the right.  Then he scored his second when he cut in from the left and drove a terrific shot past the keeper to make it 3-1.  Trinity were looking comfortable and assured of their promotion spot.  However fifteen minutes from the end Stanningley got a second goal.  The Stanningley right midfielder shot from inside the area.  Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates looked to have caught it but it slipped from his grasp and dropped into the net.  With the score at 3-2 this lead to a tense last fifteen minutes.  However Trinity managed to hold on their lead till the end.  As a result promotion was assured.  Credit to worthy Senior B champions Stanningley for making it such a close competitive final game of the season.  Both sides left the field of play happy at what they’d achieved in the season.  The next time they will meet will be in Senior A.

Team:  Yates, Martin, Clubbs, McIntyre, O’Keeffe; Aidan, Mullowney, Higgins, Turner; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Connolly (for Aidan), Allcock (for O’Keeffe)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

East Ardsley 1 Trinity 1

Matt Jordan scored the vital equaliser five minutes from time which may have clinched Trinity promotion in this 1-1 draw at East Ardsley.  With Batelians being beat 3-1 by Leeds Medics II it means Trinity will definitely finish in the top three.  Leeds Medics II who could finish above Trinity can not be promoted as their first team is in the top division so Trinity look set to go up as one of the two promoted teams.  All this is to be confirmed at the YOBL league meeting.  However if Trinity do finish in the top two they will definitely be promoted.  Winning the Senior B championship is still a possibility but it requires Batelians to do Trinity a favour and get at least a point against Stanningley on Thursday.  Then Trinity would have to beat Stanningley on Saturday.

With midfield playmaker Chris Gardiner watching from the sideline on crutches Trinity manager Nick Bentley opted to drop influential skipper Matt Jordan into midfield and push Robbie Pearson upfront.  Trinity started well and nearly scored when Stevie Travers had a shot well saved by the keeper.  Jordan and Higgins took early control of the midfield and Pearson was picking the ball up at running at the defence at will.  However as the first half developed East Ardsley got themselves back into the game.  Though they had nothing to play for but pride they were determined to play well in their last game of the season.  No doubt they were also riled by some of the comments Trinity defender Dave 'Killer' Kilsby had made in the YOBL website about the supposed gulf in class between the teams.  Trinity were hampered by the loss of the dangerous Pearson midway through the first half.  Attempting a clever back heel he injured his hamstring yet again, and had to be substituted.  This involved re-organising the team with a number of players changing positions.  As a result some of the cohesion was lost and no real chances were created in the rest of the half.

East Ardsley took control at the start of the second half as Trinity had a period of shakiness at the back.  After coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions East Ardsley came finally took the lead within fifteen minutes of the restart.  After Trinity failed to clear a corner East Ardsley managed to get in a shot.  Although the shot lacked power Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates couldn't keep hold of it and the ball dropped to East Ardsley forward Wayne Nock, who made no mistake from five yards out to make it 1-0 to East Ardsley.  Trinity piled forward in search of an equaliser but too often they were guilty of being impatient and lacking composure with their passes.  Long balls forward played straight into the hands of the East Ardsley defenders who picked them up with ease.  Matt Jordan was moved back up front to make his presence felt and Trinity started to play better football to get back into the game.  Martin 'Clubby' Clubbs headed wide following a corner from the right.  Neil Higins had an excellent first time shot from the edge of the area tipped over the bar.  Gareth Curran shot just wide from the edge of the area.  Still Trinity plugged away until they finally got their equaliser with five minutes remaining.  On receiving the ball from a throw in Jim 'Mullers' Mullowney laid the ball back to Kilsby.  His cross was headed towards the area where it was returned with a thunderous right foot half volley by Matt Jordan.  The keeper had no chance as the ball hit the back of the net, as this genuine contender for goal of the season made it 1-1.  With a few minutes left Trinity still pushed forward for the win they felt they needed but they nearly fell to a sucker punch.  East Ardsley breaked swiftly on the right and crossed leaving their centre forward alone eight yards from goal with the chance to win the game.  However keeper Jimmy Yates atoned for his earlier error by making a fantastic save low to his right from the shot, to save the game for Trinity.  Trinity continued to push on until the referee blew his whistle to signify the end of the game, with the score tied at 1-1. Despite putting in the effort they didn't demonstrate the quality required throughout the match to deserve the victory.  Whether they were psyched out at the prospect of playing on the difficult East Ardsley pitch is open to debate.  However the pitch was perfectly playable so that was not the problem.  

The Trinity players left the field distraught believing they had blown their promotion chances.  However the news that Batelians had been beaten 3-1 by Leeds Medics II meant that Trinity were more than likely promoted subject to the league meeting.  Stanningley's victory against Sandal means that Trinity are left relying on Batelians to get at least a draw against Stanningley on Thursday, to turn Saturday's game into a title decider.

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, O'Keeffe; Mullowney, Jordan, Higgins, Toney; Pearson, Travers

Subs: Curran (for Pearson), Martin (for O'Keeffe)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 3 Colton 2

Stevie Travers scored another two goals, as Trinity best Colton 3-2 in a nervy display to keep their promotion hopes well and truly alive.  As a result of rivals Stanningley losing at Yorkshire Bank II, Trinity move to top spot for the first time this season with two games remaining.

On a baking hot day Trinity got at Colton from the start and nearly opened the scoring as early as the first minute.  Travers played skipper Matt Jordan through on goal.  Jordan, who could have taken the ball forward a littlemore, shot early from the edge of the area but his shot was well saved by the keeper.    Trinity took the lead when following a Jimmy Yates clearance Matt Jordan flicked the ball into the path of Stevie Travers, who outpaced the defence and coolly stroked the ball past the keeper’s right to make it 1-0.  Despite having nothing to play for in the league Colton refused to lie down and came storming back.  They equalised when following a free-kick from the left Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates fumbled a header into the path of the Colton centre forward, who crashed the ball into the net to make it 1-1.  Colton nearly took advantage of a poor defensive spell for Trinity when they were offered opportunities to take the lead.  The centre forward missed with a header when he was left with space in the area.  Then following a back pass, Jimmy Yates was robbed of the ball by the Colton centre forward and only a brave desperate challenge by Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre prevented a goal.  Trinity took the lead when Stevie Travers scored his second goal of the match.  Chris Gardiner directed a Mick Toney free kick back across the six-yard box into the path of Travers, who made no mistake as he tucked it past the keeper to make it 2-1.  Robbie Pearson should have extended Trinity’s lead when he volleyed over the bar after a fine cross by crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney.  Trinity did get their third goal before half-time courtesy of a Colton player.  Following a corner Neil Higgins had a shot that was blocked by the keeper.  Unfortunately for the Colton midfielder, who was first to the ball, his attempted clearance sliced off his foot and flew into the roof of the net to make it 3-1 to Trinity. 

Trinity should have added to their lead in the second half when they created a number of chances.  However generally a lack of composure in the box prevented them from increasing their lead.  Jordan pulled the ball past the far post after Chris Gardiner played him through and Pearson blasted over the bar after a jinking run on the left.  Trinity should have run out as comfortable winners but they were made to endure a jittery last twenty minutes following a Colton goal.  The same Colton midfielder who’d earlier put through his own goal excellently volleyed a cross from the left past the despairing dive of Jimmy Yates.  Trinity did manage to hold onto their 3-2 lead till the end to secure victory.  Unfortunately this win may come at a cost, as midfield playmaker Chris Gardiner sustained a foot injury which may keep him out the last two games of the season.

With two games left the mathematics are simple.  If Trinity win both of them they will finish as Senior B champions.  However both these games are tricky.  On Tuesday they visit East Ardsley, never an easy ground to go to.  Then next Saturday entertain rivals Stanningley in what could be the championship decider. A defeat in either of those games could be very damaging as there are four teams still in with a chance of promotion.  Yet the fact remains that it is still very much in Trinity’s hands.

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, Toney; Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins, Pearson; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Curran (for Mullowney), Martin (for Pearson)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 4 East Ardsley 1

Martin ‘Clubby’ Clubbs scored his first ever goal for Trinity to seal an excellent 4-1 victory over East Ardsley, as Trinity continued in their push for promotion.

Concerns raised about the length of the grass in certain areas of the pitch were soon forgotten as Trinity set about their task of breaking down the opposition.  The first half was very open with both teams finding plenty of space in midfield to set up attacks.  Trinity scored the first goal.  Stevie Travers headed in from a Mick Toney corner to make it 1-0.  Trinity looked the best bet to extend their lead as chances fell to Mick Toney, skipper Matt Jordan, and crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney.  However it was East Ardsley who scored next.  A through ball beat the Trinity defence and the East Ardsley forward drove the ball past Jimmy Yates to make the score 1-1. 

Trinity stepped up the pace in the second half.  Following a corner an East Ardsley defender headed into his own goal to put Trinity 2-1 in front.  Stevie Travers scored his second goal of the game, when he latched onto a Neil Higgins through ball and tucked the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.  With two minutes to go substitute Mark Ryan was brought down in the penalty area as he was about to shoot.  Martin ‘Clubby’ Clubbs, who had never scored for Trinity since joining the club at the start of the 2000/01 season, was given the opportunity to score from the penalty area.  He didn’t waste the opportunity as he drove the ball past the keeper like an experienced penalty taker, to make the score 4-1.  In truth Trinity could have won by more but 4-1 is an excellent result and the quest for promotion continues.

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, O’Keeffe; Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Ryan (for Mullowney)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Griffordians 0 Trinity 1

Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates scored an incredible winner five minutes from time, as Trinity kept their promotion hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Griffordians.

On a bumpy pitch infested with dog excrement Griffordians had the wind behind them in the first half.  And they had the better of the early exchanges as they pressed Trinity back and were stronger in the tackle.  However despite their pressure they struggled to create many clear-cut chances as Trinity kept them at bay.  Their best chance fell to their centre back who had a free header at goal following a corner.  His header and his following attempt from the rebound ere well blocked.  Trinity who had struggled to take control of the game improved towards the end of the half.  Stevie Travers came closest to scoring when he lobbed the keeper but his effort went over the bar.

Trinity pushed forward more in the second half with the wind behind them but they weren’t able to create many chances.  Stevie Travers had the best chance when he headed over from a yard out, following a cross from the right.  With time running out and both defences looking strong it looked as though the game was going to finish goalless.  Then came Jimmy Yates’ moment of glory with five minutes remaining.    After collecting the ball he launched another long punt forward.  On this occasion the Griffordians’ keeper misjudged the bounce and the ball bounced over him and into the back of the net.  1-0 to Trinity and that’s how it remained.  A cruel way to lose perhaps, but Trinity weren’t complaining.

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, O’Keeffe; Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins, Pearson; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Toney (for O’Keeffe), Martin (for Mullowney), Connolly (for Higgins)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Stanningley 2 Trinity 1

Trinity suffered a huge blow to their promotion hopes as they were beaten 2-1 at Stanningley.  In a competitive, closely contested match Stanningley had the slight edge as they came out on top.

From the first whistle both sides demonstrated their commitment with every tackle being keenly contested.  No quarter was asked and no quarter was given. Stanningley looked the more threatening going forward particularly on the flanks.  Notre Dame student Anthony McKeown was causing havoc on the left wing and Trinity never really got to grips with him for the entire match.  Stanningley were the first to break the deadlock.  Trinity centre back Dave ‘Killer’ Kilsby made a hash of a clearance, playing it into the path of the Stanningley centre forward.  In his bid to make amends for his mistake Kilsby made a desperate attempt at a sliding tackle but only succeeded in tripping the forward.  The referee awarded a penalty despite Trinity claims that the forward had shot wide before Kilsby had connected with him.  The Stanningley left back Gareth Reynard coolly placed his spot kick beyond the reach of Jimmy Yates to make it 1-0.  Trinity equalised before half-time.  Skipper Matt Jordan broke through on the right before crossing to the edge of the area.  Stevie Travers brought it down with his chest, beating the central defender, before expertly beating the keeper with a well placed half volley to make it 1-1.  Before half time Jimmy Yates made a fantastic save with his feet, preventing Stanningley danger man Eamonn O’Keeffe from putting Stanningley into the lead. 

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first half.  Though the weather deteriorated the match continued at the high tempo.  Every tackle was still eagerly contested and Stanningley still continued to look the slightly greater threat going forward.  The Trinity defence did well to hold the Stanningley forwards at bay.  Trinity’s best chance of a goal in the second half came after Gareth Curran burst into the Stanningley penalty area from the right.  Despite appearing to be tripped the referee didn’t give a penalty.  With the match seemingly heading towards a draw Stanningley got their winner with ten minutes remaining.  An inswinging corner from the Stanningley right found its way into the net to make the score 2-1.  With the weather conditions getting worse Trinity struggled to get the ball forward in their search for an equaliser and Stanningley looked the most likely to score another goal.  As it was no more goals were scored and the final score finished 2-1 to Stanningley.

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, O’Keeffe; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Pearson (for Higgins), Bishop (for Jordan)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Huddersfield Amateurs 3 Trinity 3

Despite Stevie Travers adding another two goals to his collection Trinity’s winning run came to an end as they were held to a 3-3 draw at lowly Huddersfield Amateurs.  A shaky defensive display saw them concede more than one goal in a league game for the first time in 2004. 

Huddersfield Amateurs came out the blocks the quickest as they won the early exchanges, generally looking sharper all over the pitch.  A nervy Trinity defence struggled to get to grips with Amateurs’ mobile forwards and it was no surprise when the Amateurs finally took the lead.  Amateurs right-winger Tex Rickard skipped past Dave Kilsby before crossing for his ginger headed team-mate.  He converted at the second attempt, after Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates had saved his first effort, to make it 1-0.   Trinity stepped up the pace and managed to get an equaliser before half-time, albeit with a large slice of luck.  Mick Toney’s corner from the left swung over the keeper and straight into the goal to make the score 1-1.

Early in the second half Trinity took the lead.  Stevie Travers latched onto a through ball and calmly placed the ball past the keeper to make the score 2-1.  Matt Jordan missed a good chance to extend the lead when he rounded the keeper but failed to convert, as Trinity stamped their supremacy on the game.  However Huddersfield Amateurs weren’t going to lie down and they fought their way back into the game.  Poor finishing and the heroics of Jimmy Yates kept them at bay for a while, but they eventually got an equaliser when their forward crashed home after evading Trinity’s attempts to dispossess him in the area.  The Amateurs then went into a 3-2 lead.  Jimmy Yates failed to keep hold of an Amateurs corner, and the ball agonisingly slipped out of his grasp and into the net.  A great shame for Yates who up to that point had made a string of saves to keep Trinity into the game. At that point there looked to be only one winner as the Amateurs had further opportunities to extend their lead, but they couldn’t quite finish Trinity off.  With ten minutes to go Trinity forced an equaliser.  After retrieving Mick Toney’s deep free kick Trinity skipper Matt Jordan forced his way to the by-line before firing the ball across the six-yard box.   The ball evaded two Amateurs defenders on the way to Stevie Travers, who was left with the easy chance of passing the ball into the net.  The final score finished 3-3. 

Despite being fortunate to get the point Trinity considered it as two points lost rather than one point gained in their quest for promotion.  With promotion favourites Stanningley next up, Trinity will have to improve considerably on this performance if they are to get a result.  Otherwise the wheels will fast fall off the promotion bandwagon!

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, O’Keeffe; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Higgins (for Gardiner), Martin (for O’Keeffe)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 2 Ealandians 1

Stevie Travers scored two goals, had one disallowed and missed a penalty as Trinity held on to beat Ealandians 2-1 in the league.

With the wind behind them in the first-half Trinity went out to try a build up a good first half lead.  However they didn’t find it easy against a young Ealandians team who hustled well in midfield and frustrated Trinity with their high defensive line.  Trinity forwards Matt Jordan and Stevie Travers were penalised on numerous occasions for wandering into offside positions, though occasionally they felt the referee was too quick to blow his whistle.  Trinity took the lead when an attempted Robbie Pearson through ball was headed into the path of Stevie Travers by the Ealandians centre back.  Travers coolly slid the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 1-0.   After being brought down in the penalty area shortly afterwards Travers had the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot.  On this occasion the keeper easily saved his weak spot kick.  It didn’t Travers long to make amends for this miss.  A fine Chris Gardiner cross from the left found the unmarked Travers in the area, whose header beat the despairing dive of the keeper to make it 2-0.  Later in the half Travers had a goal disallowed after he was adjudged to have diverted the ball past the keeper with his arm, following some excellent approach play by Gareth Curran.  Trinity didn’t have it all their own way in terms of first half chances.  On more than one occasion the woodwork came to the rescue of Trinity after the Ealandians forwards managed shots at goal. 

The half-time break saw Trinity manager Nick Bentley berate his players for producing such a dull first half performance with the instructions to liven up in all areas of the park.  However Trinity found it difficult in the second-half, as the wind picked up and they found themselves largely penned in their own half of the field.  When they did break forward the Ealandians offside trap was still frustrating them.  Ealandians main threat came from their small attacking midfielder who was playing just behind the two forwards.  Trinity struggled to pick him up and his tricky ball skills created good opportunities for himself.  Fortunately for Trinity he’d left his shooting boots at home as his shots were wayward and were generally well off target.  Stevie Travers nearly claimed his hat-trick from a rare second-half attack.  Following a cross from the left his diving header flashed wide of the post.  With five minutes to go Ealandians clawed a goal back to make the remainder of the half tense.  A cross from the Ealandians left evaded Trinity centre back Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre and keeper Jimmy Yates.  Ealandians’ forward Dean MacDonald managed to steer it past Yates to make the score 2-1.  This proved to be no more than a consolation as Trinity held on to record another victory.  Though not one of their best performances by any means it was still another three points contributed to their promotion charge.

Team:  Yates, O’Keeffe, Kilsby, McIntyre, Mullowney; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Pearson; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Clubbs (for Pearson)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 2 Batelians 1

Stevie Travers and Robbie Pearson grabbed the goals, as Trinity put in a fantastic team effort to beat top of the table Batelians 2-1.  Despite falling behind early in the first half Trinity recovered to force their best victory of the season so far against the side that had beaten them 7-0 earlier in the season.

Batelians started the stronger of the sides in the first half, applying early pressure on the Trinity defence as Trinity found it difficult to get into their stride.  Just as Trinity thought they’d weathered the early storm Batelians took the lead.  A long free kick, taken from ten yards inside the Trinity half, was floated in behind the Trinity defence.  Batelians danger man Craig Stephenson was the only man who followed the ball into the area.  He guided the ball with his head over Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal, to make the score 1-0 to Batelians.  Trinity, who had begun to settle down before the goal, slowly got back into the game and grabbed an equaliser before half time.  After some smart build up play Neil Higgins crossed from the left to the unmarked Stevie Travers who volleyed past the keeper from eight yards.  Despite claims of offside from the Batelians defence the goal stood and Trinity were back on level terms. 

In the second half Trinity started to exert their dominance on the game.  The defence, led by the impressive Dave Kilsby, largely stifled the threat of Stephenson the main Batelians threat.  Neil Higgins and Chris Gardiner orchestrated play from midfield and Robbie Pearson was a constant threat from the right with his direct running with the ball.  Immediately after surviving a scare when a Batelians shot hit the bar, Trinity took the lead.  The dangerous Robbie Pearson broke through on the right and bore down on goal.  With a pass inside to Matt Jordan looking like the best option Pearson elected to shoot instead.  His seemingly mis-hit lob evaded the keeper and landed in the net to make it 2-1 to Trinity.  Trinity continued to dominate the game but they couldn’t add to their lead.  With fifteen minutes to go Batelians started to claw their way back into the game and demonstrate the form that had taken them to top of the table.  Their players flooded forward in search of the equaliser.  However Trinity defended resolutely and when they didn’t hold firm Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates was at hand to make some fine saves.  Trinity managed to hold onto their lead until the final whistle to grab a fine 2-1 victory.  With Stanningley and East Ardsley still to face, twice apiece, and Griffordians still to visit there will be tougher tests in store for Trinity.  Yet if they can hang onto this form they shouldn’t be found wanting.

Team:  Yates, Murphy, Kilsby, McIntyre, Mullowney; Pearson, Higgins, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: O’Keeffe (for Murphy), Curran (for McIntyre)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Yorkshire Bank II 0 Trinity 1

Stevie Travers scored his twenty-first goal of the season as Trinity bounced back from their Terry Marflitt Trophy woe, beating bottom of the table Yorkshire Bank II 1-0 in a tight league game.

On an excellent Bank pitch, ideal for playing football, it was the Bank who played the slightly better football in the first half without really creating any clear-cut chances.  Trinity only had one good first half chance when Robbie Pearson fired over the bar after a long ball forward.

In the second half Trinity took control of the game with large headed midfielder Chris Gardiner at the hub of the passing play in midfield, constantly spreading the play.  Robbie Pearson, who’d started slowly, began to threaten from the right wing.  On a few occasions he turned his marker inside out before cutting inside and shooting.  Unfortunately the accuracy of his shots didn’t match the quality of his dribbling.  Trinity didn’t have it all their own way.  The Bank still managed to attack in numbers and in particular looked a threat from corners with their height advantage.  From one corner they had a chance stopped on the line by Trinity’s crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney, which proved to be their best chance of the game.  Trinity finally made the break through with fifteen minutes to go following an excellent five-man move.  Gardiner fed it to the popular Mullowney on the left, who burst forward before playing the ball through to Higgins who’d made a diagonal run to the left flank.  Higgins’ cross was nodded down by Trinity skipper Matt Jordan into the path of Stevie Travers, who volleyed past the keeper to make it 1-0.  Trinity hung on to win, defending resolutely for the remaining fifteen minutes.  Robbie Pearson was lucky not to get himself sent off after kicking out at a player who had grabbed hold of his jersey slightly.  Despite it being Valentine’s Day there was definitely no love demonstrated in that incident.  The Bank could count themselves unfortunate to lose as they did play well, and are much better than their lowly position suggests.

Team:  Yates, Mullowney, Clubbs, McIntyre, Murphy; Pearson, Higgins, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Kilsby (for Murphy)

Formation: 4-4-2

Terry Marflitt Trophy (Quarter Final)

St Nicholas 2 Trinity 0

Trinity’s cup hopes ended for another year at the quarter final stage of the Terry Marflitt Trophy as they were convincingly beaten 2-0 by St Nicholas, in a tough bruising encounter.

Despite Trinity kicking off playing downhill and with the wind behind them it was St Nicholas who took early control of the game.  They competed much better than Trinity, throwing themselves into every tackle.  As early as the first minute Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates made a fantastic save at the feet of the St Nicholas forward, after a cross from the right had evaded all the Trinity defenders.  Though their defence largely managed to contain Trinity’s speedy forwards, Trinity did manage to create a couple of first half chances.  Stevie Travers had a header well saved after a Chris Gardiner corner, and Robbie Pearson was thwarted by the keeper after wriggling through the St Nicholas defence.  However in the main the first half was dominated by St Nicholas.  Playing a 4-5-1 formation, St Nicholas’ took control of the midfield area, and their two wide midfielders were persistently pushed on to deny the Trinity full-backs the opportunity to press forward.  They constantly flooded through the midfield, though the chances they created were mainly shots from outside the penalty area.  Just before half-time they got the goal their dominance deserved when their right back burst forward with the ball.  His low drive from the edge of the area beat the despairing dive of Jimmy Yates to make it 1-0 to St Nicholas.

The second half was similar to the first in the sense of St Nicholas largely dominating and winning the battle for the ball, though not many chances were created by either side.  Trinity found it difficult to impose their usual passing style on the game due to the speed and determination of St Nicholas’ pressure tactics.  When they did manage to get the ball forward too often the support wasn’t there for the Trinity forwards to worry the St Nicholas defence.  St Nicholas scored their second goal with ten minutes to go.  A cross from the left found the St Nicholas forward, who had time to turn and shoot past Yates in the Trinity goal.  The final score finished 2-0 to St Nicholas.  Despite being a division lower than Trinity, St Nicholas proved to be a top quality side and probably the toughest opposition Trinity have encountered so far this season.  Though Trinity could have competed better it was to St Nicholas credit that they came out on top and they were full value for their victory.

Team:  Yates, Mullowney, Clubbs, McIntyre, Toney; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Pearson; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Murphy (for Jordan), O’Keeffe (for Mullowney)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 5 Leeds Medics II 1

It was a case of ‘Five Alive!’ as Trinity trounced Leeds Medics II 5-1 to storm to second in the table, to retain their 100% record in 2004.

Despite thrashing Western Juniors 3-0 the previous week Trinity manager was unhappy with certain aspects of the team’s play and made a couple of changes to the team.  And after a long intense team-talk he sent out his players out with the orders to compete for ninety minutes.  Playing against the wind in the first half Trinity took control of the game and were a constant threat down both flanks.  Though the Medics had a few chances from set pieces Trinity were the better side and it was no surprise when they took the lead before half-time.  Chris Gardiner’s finished off a Stevie Travers cross after making a late run into the box, to make it 1-0.

Early in the second half Trinity scored a second.  Martin ‘Clubby’ Clubbs rampaged down the right before crossing to Robbie Pearson, who buried the ball low into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.  Medics scored a goal shortly afterwards to reduce the lead.  But Travers restored Trinity’s two goal lead, taking advantage of confusion in the Medics defence as he clipped the ball past the keeper after chasing a long ball forward.  Though Medics carried on battling to the end they couldn’t find a way back into the game.  In the last ten minutes Trinity wrapped up the points scoring two more goals.  Mick Toney scored with a fine left foot shot and Matt Jordan scored with a header, to make the final score 5-1 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates, Clubbs, Kilsby, McIntyre, Toney; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Pearson; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Murphy (for Higgins), O’Keeffe (for Travers), Mullowney (for Curran)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Western Juniors 0 Trinity 3 

Stevie Travers and Robbie Pearson were both on the scoresheet as Trinity convincingly beat Western Juniors 3-0 to move into fourth position in Senior B.  In an excellent team performance the score could have been much greater but for a combination of excellent goalkeeping and lack of composure in front of goal.

After withstanding some early Western Juniors pressure it quickly became apparent that the speedy Trinity forward line was going to cause the opposition’s defence a lot of problems.  Western Juniors were playing  a high defensive line and succeeded in catching Trinity frequently offside.  However such a tactic is very risky and sooner or later they were going to get caught out.  Trinity scored their first goal courtesy of an excellent, free-flowing move down the right.   Stevie Travers side-footed home a Matt Jordan cross after Trinity broke forward with Chris Gardiner and crowd favourite Jim’Mullers’ Mullowney.  Trinity scored their second shortly afterwards when Robbie Pearson latched onto a through ball.  His cut back was diverted into the net by a Western Juniors defender to make the score 2-0.  Western Juniors did have one clear first half opportunity when the ball crept Trinity defender Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre’s foot.  However Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates made an excellent save to prevent the forward from scoring.

In the second half trinity created a host of chances to add to their two goal lead.  Crowd favourite Mullowney, Gardiner, Gareth Curran, Travers and Pearson were all presented with chances that they failed to convert.   Pearson, who was a constant threat throughout the game, was the main culprit being guilty of missing chance after chance after his speed managed to get him clear of the Western Juniors on numerous occasions.  Unfortunately he kept losing control of the ball as the goal approached.  However if you keep knocking on the door eventually someone’s going to let you in and Pearson finally got the goal his efforts deserved, lobbing the keeper in typical Pearson style after a first time Gardiner through ball.  The game finished 3-0 as Trinity won their fifth league game in six games to continue their climb up the table.

Team:  Yates, O’Keeffe, Kilsby, McIntyre, Toney; Mullowney, Higgins, Gardiner, Pearson; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Curran (for Jordan), Clubbs (for McIntyre), Barrett (for Travers)

Terry Marflitt Trophy

Trinity 1 Griffordians 0

Robbie Pearson stepped off the bench to score the winner for Trinity as they upset the form book and beat high flying Griffordians 1-0, to clinch a quarter-final place in the Terry Marflitt Trophy.

For Trinity to have any chance of succeeding in this game they had to compete and pressure from the first whistle, and this is exactly what they did.  Griffordians, a young side, were equally as strong and competitive.  With both teams competing hard and not making many mistakes at the back chances were thin on the ground.  The first half finished as it started, 0-0.

The second half followed a similar pattern with both defences coming out on top, though Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates was called into action more as Griffordians were presented with a succession of free-kicks just outside the penalty area.  The introduction of Trinity substitute Robbie Pearson on the hour mark injected extra pace to the Trinity attack.  And it was Pearson who finally broke the deadlock within minutes of his introduction.  Latching onto a intelligent through ball from crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney, Pearson lobbed the keeper.  Though the keeper got a firm hand to it the ball just managed to drop underneath the bar and into the net to make it, 1-0 to Trinity.  Griffordians stepped up a gear in their search for an equaliser and started to apply more pressure on the Trinity defence.  However Dave ‘Killer’ Kilsby and Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre, Trinity’s central defensive partnership, proved up to the challenge.  Griffordians did have two glorious chances to equalise.   Two of their forwards appeared to beat the offside trap but when one of them played the ball across the face of the goal for the other one to apply a finish the goal was disallowed for offside, seemingly as a result of that final pass.  Then shortly afterwards another two players again beat the offside trap.  But the cross was met with a shot that cleared the bar, when it appeared easier to score.  Trinity were rocking but Robbie Pearson could have eased the tension if he’d have put away a chance that presented itself in the penalty area.  However the Griffordians keeper managed to pull off a tremendous save from his looping shot.  Trinity managed to hang on and clinch a well-earned victory.  Let’s hope they can carry on this form through the rest of 2004.

Team:  Yates, O’Keeffe, Kilsby, McIntyre, Toney; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Mullowney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Pearson (for O’Keeffe), Barrett (for Jordan)

Formation: 4-4-2

Leeds & District Cup

Centralians II 3 Trinity 2

Crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney scored his first goal of the season but Trinity still crashed out of the Leeds & District Cup to Division Two side Centralians II 3-2.

It all started so well for Trinity, as they went into an early lead within the first five minutes of the game.  Midfielder Chris Gardiner managed to find space on the byline to cross for Matt Jordan, who headed back across goal for crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney to guide the ball into the unguarded goal from a yard out.  1-0 to Trinity.  However on a muddy rain affected pitch, which proved to be a leveller for both teams, Trinity couldn’t sustain their early pressure and Centalians worked their way back into the game.  Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates was called upon to make a couple of saves.  Trinity did manage to break forward on occasion and Stevie Travers thought he’d scored when he finished after Mullowney had flicked on.  But he was adjudged offside.

At half-time Trinity manager Nick Bentley re-emphasised the need to play football in the opposition half and pressure the opposition defenders.  Almost immediately into the second half Trinity forced a corner.  From the resulting kick Martin ‘Clubby’ Clubbs managed to connect with it and forced the ball past the keeper.  It appeared to many that the ball had crossed the line and that the keeper had clawed it back.  But the referee wasn’t convinced and no goal was awarded, leaving Clubbs still waiting to score his first ever goal for Trinity.  Although they were only one goal up Trinity still looked very much in control of the game up until a mad five minutes that turned the game on its head.  A mix up between Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre and keeper Jimmy Yates allowed the Centralians centre forward to nip in and equalise, making it 1-1.  Then the same centre forward was adjudged to have been brought down by Yates in the area.  The resulting penalty was banged down the middle.  Though Yates got behind it he couldn’t prevent it going through his legs and into the net.  2-1 to Centralians.  Trinity started to apply the pressure but Centralians managed to score a third when their midfielder turned in the area and his low shot beat the despairing dive of Yates to make it 3-1.  Still there was over twenty minutes, enough time for Trinity to launch a comeback.  With ten minutes to go a Gardiner through ball found Mick Toney who coolly slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 3-2.  Trinity continued to apply the pressure but Centralians sniffing a cup shock was on the cards defended resolutely and prevented many clear-cut chances in a frantic last ten minutes.  Both sides had penalty appeals turned down.  Jordan was close with a header and Mullowney fired over with the last chance of the game.  But this was Centralians’ day and they held out to finish as 3-2 victors.

Team:  Yates, O’Keeffe, Clubbs, McIntyre, Toney; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Mullowney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Martin (for Higgins), Connolly (for Curran)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 3 Yorkshire Bank II 2

Skipper Matt Jordan, Neil Higgins and Mick Toney were all on the scoresheet as Trinity deservedly beat Yorkshire Bank II 3-2.  Though they nearly let victory slip allowing the Bank to come back after being in a seemingly comfortable 3-0 position with twenty minutes to go.

Trinity started off with the wind behind their backs and they had the better of the early exchanges forcing some early corners, the Bank being restricted to breakaways.  It was no surprise when Trinity took the lead.  A Mick Toney corner from the right was headed in from skipper Matt Jordan after the Bank full back failed to clear.  Neil Higgins made it 2-0 to Trinity when he broke through from midfield before coolly placing the ball past the Bank keeper.

In the second half the wind picked up and the Bank started to exert some pressure on the Trinity defence.  However it was Trinity who added to their lead.  Matt Jordan broke through on the right before sending a low cross into the centre, where Mick Toney’s left foot despatched it clinically into the corner of the net to make it 3-0.  Trinity appeared to be coasting to victory, with their defence holding the Bank at bay.  However some comical defending allowed the Bank back into the game.  An innocuous looking ball into the area looked set to be cleared by Dave ‘Killer’ Kilsby.  Unfortunately for Trinity he completely missed his attempted clearance and with keeper Jimmy Yates frozen to the spot in surprise the ball found its way into the net to make it 3-1.  The Bank got another goal when Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre mistimed a challenge and conceded a penalty after the Bank broke through on the right.  Jimmy Yates went the right way but couldn’t stop the penalty and the score was 3-2, which set up a frantic last ten minutes.  Though they had couple of half chances the Bank couldn’t get an equaliser as the Trinity defence held firm.  Mick Toney had a chance near the end to give Trinity some breathing space but his shot went just wide of the post.  3-2 to Trinity was how it finished.

Team:  Yates, Kilsby, Clubbs, McIntyre, O’Keeffe; Bentley, Higgins, Gardiner, Mullowney; Jordan, Toney

Subs: Martin (for Bentley)

Formation:  4-4-2

League

Sandal 0 Trinity 2 

Stevie Travers scored a brace to keep up his prolific goal scoring record this season, as Trinity got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Sandal Wanderers.

After some strong words before the game from Trinity manager Nick Bentley, relating to the previous week’s 7-0 hammering at the hands of Batelians, Trinity were determined and busy from the start of this game.  With the message being that the first line of defence was the forwards, Trinity didn’t give the Sandal back line any respite and as a result they found it easier to regain possession. When they had possession Trinity made good progressive use of it on both flanks, with forwards Travers and Jordan in particular being first to any balls played into the channels, holding the ball up well and bringing other players into play.  They grabbed a well-deserved lead in the first half.  After a cross from the left was initially cleared, large headed midfielder Chris Gardiner crossed again from the left for Stevie Travers to bravely score from a diving header to make it 1-0 to Trinity.  Crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney nearly made it 2-0 when Travers played the ball back to him in the area, but his shot was well saved by the Sandal keeper.

Half-time came and went with the message being for more of the same in the second half.  This is precisely what happened with Trinity continuing their pressure tactics, though goal-scoring chances were less frequent.  Crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney nearly scored what undoubtedly would have been the goal of the season when from forty yards out he controlled the ball with his chest before speculatively volleying the ball towards goal, but it just went wide.  It truly would have been one of Trinity’s greatest ever goals had it gone in.  Stevie Travers did score his second, and Trinity’s second, finishing from inside the six yard box after a fine left wing cross from the ever popular Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney finally arrived at his feet.  Neil Higgins, who had an outstanding game in midfield, nearly scored after a mazy run from midfield but the ball just ran away from him as he beat the keeper.  Sandal did have their chances, notably a close range header from big Geordie Paul McIntosh, but there wasn’t many.  When they did penetrate the Trinity back line they were foiled by some excellent last ditch defending.  2-0 proved to be the final score, with much to be admired from the display, especially getting their first clean sheet of the season.  However with consistency being the key to success it’ll be interesting to see if they can continue to show this form in the two games before Christmas.

Team:  Yates, Kilsby, Clubbs, McIntyre, Toney; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Mullowney; Jordan, Travers

Subs: Tom (for Curran), O’Keeffe (for Toney)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Batelians 7 Trinity 0

After winning three games on the trot Trinity got thrashed 7-0 by Batelians in a one-sided contest only a week after they had whipped Huddersfield Amateurs, to emphasise to everyone why they are regarded as one of the most inconsistent teams in the entire league.

Trinity’s match preparation didn’t bode well for the game.  With starters Curran and Richardson getting lost on the way to the game, they made it with the game fifteen minutes old, and manager Nick Bentley delayed skipper Matt Jordan had eleven players to choose from.  He elected to start with ten players expecting Curran and Richardson to arrive sooner than they did. Within a minute Trinity were 1-0 down.  The big Batelians’ centre forward heading in after a well delivered free kick from the left.  It was 2-0 within a couple of minutes.  With Trinity hands up claiming offside the Batelian’s forwards raced through to score a second, despite Jimmy Yates saving the first attempt at goal.  Tom finally came on, after five minutes of shinpad adjustment, to bring Trinity up to eleven players.  Batelians scored a third when after another seemingly long harmless punt forward, Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre and Jimmy Yates somehow combined to let the Batelians’ forward bring the ball down and lob Yates to score.  It was 4-0 when the big Batelians’ centre forward turned inside Martin Clubbs, who unfortunately slipped, before accurately placing the ball past Yates and into the net.  And Batelians made it 5-0 before half-time after Mick Toney lost possession just outside the Trinity penalty area leaving the Batelians centre forward with the task of drilling the ball into the Trinity net.

Trinity manager Nick Bentley, who had arrived twenty minutes into the first half, gave his first half analysis and told the players a few home truths, in a bid to inspire the team to a dramatic recovery.  However it wasn’t to be.  Trinity did play better in the second half but they were still second best.  After another Trinity arm went up claiming offside a Batelians’ midfielder fired the ball into the roof of the net from outside the area to make it 6-0.  And the big Batelians’ forward scored another goal when he netted after a goalmouth scramble after a corner to make it 7-0.  Mick Toney and Matt Jordan both had chances to score which they failed to take, but Trinity didn’t really deserve any goals.  In fairness Trinity had faced a couple of forwards who played very well.  However the inability to deal with the direct ball forward was very much a key aspect of Trinity’s game.  ‘Which Trinity is going to turn up next week?’ remains the question.

Team:  Yates, Kilsby, Clubbs, McIntyre, Toney; Higgins, Mullowney, Gardiner, Tom; Jordan, Pearson

Subs: Richardson (for Tom), Curran (for Mullowney)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 6 Huddersfield Amateurs 2

Irish duo Stevie Travers and Gareth Curran both scored two apiece as Trinity bagged six goals to defeat Huddersfield Amateurs 6-2, to continue their advance up Senior B.

Despite a competitive warm-up, designed to get Trinity to be sharp from the first whistle, Trinity started slow.  And it was no surprise when the young Huddersfield Amateurs team took the lead.  However the manner of the goal was somewhat fortunate.  A partially cleared corner reached the edge of the area.  The Huddersfield right back’s shot struck the face of his team mate and deflected past Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates, and into the goal to make it 1-0.  This goal sparked Trinity into life and it wasn’t long before Trinity equalised.  Stevie Travers finished from inside the box to make it 1-1.  Trinity skipper Matt Jordan added a second shortly afterwards, drilling home after receiving a Chris Gardiner pass.  Stevie Travers then added his second and Trinity’s third, again from inside the area to make it 3-1.  Gareth Curran then scored the best goal of the half.  Chris Gardiner played a clever ball behind the Huddersfield left back to Curran, who from just inside the area belted the ball into the roof of the net to make the score 4-1.  Despite the half-time scoreline Trinity manager Nick Bentley was far from happy with some aspects of Trinity’s play, though he did single out crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney for some special praise.

With Matt Jordan struggling from the effects of a slight groin injury Trinity struggled to hold the ball up front early on in the second half, and Huddersfield Amateurs gained confidence as they took control of the game.  They scored their second when their skilful forward beat two players on the Trinity left before crossing low for his team mate to finish and make it 4-2.  However they didn’t sustain this pressure for too long, as Trinity began to reassert themselves.  Mick Toney got Trinity’s fifth goal when his well struck free-kick from the right evaded everyone before crashing into the back of the net.  Then Curran scored his second and Trinity’s sixth, smashing in a tremendous right foot volley after a corner was cleared to the edge of the area.  6-2 was the final score to Trinity in a game where they played excellently at times.  However one feels that if they can start playing like they can for the full ninety minutes, in a ruthless manner, they can double this kind of score against some unfortunate team.  Watch this space! 

Team:  Yates, O’Keeffe, Kilsby, McIntyre, Toney; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Pearson; Travers, Jordan

Subs: Connolly (for O’Keeffe)

Formation: 4-4-2

Leeds & District Cup

Harrison Beds 1 Trinity 3

Stevie Travers scored two goals as Trinity produced their best all-round performance of the season so far, to beat Harrison Beds 3-1 in the Leeds & District Cup.  What made it all the more rewarding was that tough tackling Harrison Beds, from the Red Triangle League, had won all their previous nine league and cup games in the season with an average goal difference of seven goals per game.

From the start Trinity knew they were going to be in for a tough physical contest and Harrison Beds didn’t disappoint in this respect, as there were a lot of strong early challenges.  Fortunately Trinity were up for the challenge and as well as competing physically they were also playing the better football.  Trinity created a number of chances through quality football and from pressurising the Harrison Beds defence.  Large headed midfielder Chris Gardiner struck the bar and also had a penalty area effort blocked by a defender.  Robbie Pearson also had a couple of chances.  The best one came when he mashed a rebound over the bar after having his first shot saved.  Harrison Beds had a number of corners towards the end of the half but they couldn’t make their height advantage count, and the first half finished goalless.

Trinity started the second half with the same resolve to compete and play quality football when they could, and they were rewarded when Stevie Travers broke the deadlock.  Latching onto a Gardiner through ball he calmly placed the ball past the keeper’s left to make it 1-0 to Trinity.  They extended their lead later in the half with a from a free-kick after Travers was upended outside the penalty area.  Chris Gardiner’s floating free-kick appeared to be heading safely into the arms of the keeper, so much so that Gardiner himself turned away to position himself for the goal kick, but it floated over the keeper’s reach and into the net to make it 2-0.  Trinity were seemingly coasting to the next round.  However with fifteen minutes to go Harrison Beds got a goal back.  Their left midfielder beat the Trinity defence to a flick on before lobbing Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal, to make it 2-1.  Harrison Beds were now back in it and they stepped up a gear in their quest to get an equaliser.  However Trinity stepped up a gear to stop them.  Then Stevie Travers restored Trinity’s two goal lead with an excellent goal.  Gareth Curran performed some trickery on the right beating his opposite number before playing the ball inside to Gardiner.  His accurate pass found Travers on the right.  Then with nimble footwork Travers cut inside and beat two players, before calmly stoking the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.  Trinity could have scored more goals.  Higgins missed a close range chance and they should have been awarded a penalty after Curran was clearly tripped in the penalty area. 3-1 to Trinity was the final score, with a place in the next round of the Leeds & District Cup the prize.  Apart form playing quality football Trinity’s victory was down to everyone working hard and competing for ninety minutes and cutting out the negativity of previous performances, such as habitual moaning at the referee.  Let’s hope this can continue for the rest of the season.

Team:  Yates, Kilsby, McIntyre, M.Clubbs, O’Keeffe; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins; Travers, Pearson

Subs: none

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 4 Western Juniors 2

Martin ‘Clubby’ Clubbs played his first game of the season, after returning from injury, taking part in an exciting 4-2 victory over Western Juniors. 

Despite manager Nick Bentley introducing a competitive small-sided game as part of the warm up, in a bid to make Trinity perform sharper from the first whistle, Western Juniors applied the early pressure.  Defensively Trinity struggled to make effective clearances, which gave Western Juniors the opportunity to threaten the Trinity goal.  However Trinity did produce good football in spasms.  Chis Gardiner’s shot was just off target after a clever pass from crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney.  At half time the score was the same as at the start of the match, 0-0.

Martin O’Keeffe broke the deadlock for Trinity in the second half.  A corner from the left arrived beyond the far post at the feet of O’Keeffe, who’s sweet first time shot whistled into the corner of the net.  1-0 to Trinity.  Mick Toney came close to adding a second when he blasted over from inside the box, as Trinity sought to increase their lead.  Against the run of play Western Juniors equalised.  A back heel found its way to the feet of the big cumbersome Western Juniors centre forward.  After being given too much space to turn his speculative shot looped over stand-in keeper Jimmy Yates and into the net.  Shortly afterwards Western Juniors added a second.  A weak shot from the Western Juniors midfielder appeared to be no cause for concern.  However Yates misjudged it, and the ball went under his body and into the goal to make it 2-1 to Western Juniors.  Trinity regained their composure and scored a well-deserved equaliser.  A through ball was met by Robbie Pearson who skilfully lobbed the keeper to make it 2-2.  Neil Higgins scored his first goal for Trinity, steering the ball into the net from close range after a cross from the right, to make it 3-2.  Then Mick Toney created a two goal cushion, firing in from close range after a Matt Jordan cut-back, to make it 4-2.  Western Juniors couldn’t comeback from this and the final score was 4-2 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates, Kilsby, Richardson, M.Clubbs, O’Keeffe; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins; Jordan, Pearson

Subs: Toney (for Curran), N.Clubbs (for M.Clubbs)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Ealandians 5 Trinity 3

Skipper Matt Jordan scored two goals as Trinity scored three second half goals against Ealandians.  But that wasn’t enough to make up a shocking five goal first half deficit, as Ealandians triumphed 5-3. 

Trinity, who had stuffed Ealandians a few weeks previously, started off the game brightly.  Skipper Matt Jordan, playing up front, had an early chance to put Trinity in the lead but was thwarted by the Ealandians keeper.  However after ten minutes Ealandians suddenly took over.  Trinity keeper Simon Hollings appeared to be seeing out a harmless through ball when the Ealandians right midfielder nipped in, took the ball past Hollings and placed the ball into the net, despite the efforts of Stevie Richardson on the line.  Ealandians made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, when after a corner the Ealandians centre back fired in after a goalmouth scramble.  Ealandians managed to score three more goals before half time, to make the score 5-0.  Trinity did have enough first half opportunities to score, but they failed to register any goals.  The best chances falling to Gareth Curran and Matt Jordan, who was surprised to be left with an open goal following a Jimmy Yates cross.

After a motivating half time team talk by Chris Gardiner, taking the place of the absent manager Nick Bentley (who was ill, ironically after spending a week recharging his batteries at a health farm), Trinity stepped out for the second half with a renewed sense of purpose.  Within twenty seconds they clawed the first goal back.  Yates and Jordan combined to steal the ball from the dawdling Ealandians centre back, before Jordan fired the ball low past the keeper to make it 5-1.  Jordan scored his second, and Trinity’s second, after he again robbed the Ealandians centre back before drilling an accurate shot past the keeper to make it 5-2.  Despite creating several clear cut chances it took Trinity a while to score their third.  Jordan had a couple of one-on ones and a header, but on each occasion the excellent Ealandians keeper thwarted him.  Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney, slowly losing his crowd favourite’s tag to Johnny ‘Boy’ Rogers, lifted the ball over the bar from four yards out after he did well to stretch for the ball when he was falling over.  Trinity finally got their third goal, courtesy of the unfortunate Ealandians centre back.   His bullet header into his own goal was one any centre forward would have been proud of.  5-3 to Ealandians and that’s how it remained to the final whistle.

Team:  Hollings, O’Keeffe, Richardson, McIntyre, Rogers; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Higgins; Jordan, Yates

Subs: Martin (for Rogers)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 1 Griffordians 4

Stevie Travers broke his nose but failed to score his fourth successive hat-trick as Trinity were hammered 4-1 at home to Griffordians.

With the wind behind them the young Griffordians team took control of the game from the start, dominating in all areas of the park.  However it was when Trinity were starting to play their way back into the game  that they took the lead.  A harmless looking cross from the left evaded the Trinity defenders and stand-in keeper Jimmy Yates before finding its way into the back of the net.  1-0 to Griffordians.  Trinity bounced back and nearly scored when crowd favourite Jim 'Mullers' Mullowney headed past the Griffordians keeper, only to have the attempt stopped by the defender.  Trinity couldn't force home the rebound and in the goalmouth scramble that followed crowd favourite Jim 'Mullers' Mullowney punched his team mate Stevie Travers in the face, breaking his nose.  Rumours of a changing room rift which caused the incident were completely unfounded as the punch was purely accidental.  Griffordians got their second goal just before half-time.  A corner was met with a low header at the near post, and the ball bounced over stand-in keeper Jimmy Yates to make it 1-0.

Trinity started the second half brightly.  But unfortunately from an early breakaway Griffordians made it 3-0, when a cross from the right was met by a clean volley at the far post which flew into the net.  The game started to really open up as Trinity went in search of goals to get back into the game.  However it was Griffordians who claimed their fourth, as they strode through the Trinity defence before applying an easy finish.  Trinity did get a consolation when Stevie Travers met a cross from the left with a header.  It was going wide till it was diverted into the net by a Griffordians defender.  However in light of the pain he was suffering it was agreed that Travers was awarded the goal.  The final score finished 4-1 to Griffordians.  A special mention should go to Martin Palmer who stepped in to referee the game at the last minute, after the original referee pulled out.  He did an excellent job.

Team:  Yates, O’Keeffe, Jordan, McIntyre, Rogers; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Bentley; Pearson, Travers

Subs: Richardson (for Bentley), Higgins (for Mullowney), Toney (for Curran)

Formation: 4-4-2

Leeds & District Cup

Trinity 4  Grangefield 3

Stevie Travers scored a hat-trick for the third consecutive game as Trinity beat Second Division Grangefield 4-3 in the Leeds & District Dup.  However despite missing a couple of players, it was an unconvincing performance against a team Trinity should have dismantled with ease.

After a shaky start Trinity opened the scoring early on.  Skipper Matt Jordan ventured upfield to latch onto a Gareth Curran through ball before coolly slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0.  After wasting a couple of chances Grangefield then equalised with a shot from the edge of the area, after the ball had only been partially cleared.  Trinity reclaimed the lead before half-time with an excellently worked goal.  A Chris Gardiner cross was headed back into the danger area by Martin Palmer, making a welcome return from injury after over a year out of the game, to be met by a first time finish from Stevie Travers to make it 2-1.

Early in the second half player-manager Nick Bentley had an early chance to increase Trinity’s lead when he beat the Grangefield offside trap.  However on receiving the ball his early tame shot was easily gathered by the keeper.  Grangefield then equalised again when their midfield thundered in a shot from the edge of the area after a cross from the right was only cleared to the edge of the area.  2-2.  Trinity, whose approach had been a touch complacent, then stepped up a gear.  They received a breakthrough when Stevie Travers was needlessly tripped inside the area.  Travers got himself off the floor to calmly tuck away the resulting penalty, to make it 3-2.   Travers then claimed his hat-trick, and Trinity’s fourth, when he beat the keeper to a cross from the right to head into the net.  4-2 to Trinity.  Crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney had a chance to increase the lead but snatched at his chance, blazing the ball over the bar from ten yards out.  Then Robbie Pearson’s acrobatic shot from the edge of the area cleared the bar by a distance.  With a minute to go Grangefield got their third.  A mix up between skipper Matt Jordan and keeper Simon Hollings allowed the Grangefield winger an opportunity to capitalise.  After using his arm to move the ball forwards, which the referee failed to spot, the winger rounded Hollings before scoring.  The match finished shortly afterwards with the final score being 4-3 to Trinity. 

A better team than Grangefield would have punished Trinity and converted more of their chances.  However Trinity were not playing a better team and progressed to the next round of the Leeds & District Cup.

Team:  Hollings, O’Keeffe, Jordan, McIntyre, Rogers; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Bentley; Palmer, Travers

Subs: Pearson (for Bentley), Pat (for Palmer)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 4  Sandal 2

Stevie Travers scored another hat-trick, as Trinity gained revenge for their Yorkshire Old Boy’s Shield defeat to beat Sandal 4-2 in the League. 

Despite starting the game on top, playing some excellent passing football, Trinity fell behind to an early Sandal goal.  Trinity failed to clear a hopeful Sandal cross and the ball finally fell to a Sandal midfielder who sent the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 to Sandal.  Trinity replied through when Mick Toney’s cross was headed in by Stevie Travers to make it 1-1.  Martin O’Keeffe made it 2-1 to Trinity before half-time when he ventured upfield to head past the Sandal keeper from a cross.

In the second half Trinity’s attempts to get an early third goal were thwarted by their inability to retain possession.  Sandal took advantage of this to gain an equaliser.  A deep cross somehow evaded the Trinity defence to be crashed home at the far post by Sandal’s right sided midfielder, to make it 2-2.  Trinity stepped up a gear and started to apply more pressure on the Sandal goal.  They finally got their third goal when Dave ‘Killer’ Kilsby reached the by-line from the right to cut the ball back to leave Stevie Travers with the easy job of passing the ball into the net, to make it 3-2.  Then Travers got his hat-trick, heading the ball into an empty net after skipper Matt Jordan chipped the keeper.  The game finished 4-2 to Trinity, as the revival continued.

Team: Hollings; Kilsby, McIntyre, Richardson, O’Keeffe; Jordan, Mullowney, Gardiner, Toney; Travers, Pearson

Subs: none

Formation: 4-4-2

Terry Marflitt Trophy

Ealandians 1 Trinity 6

Stevie Travers scored a hat-trick, as Trinity produced a performance full of pure six appeal thrashing Ealandians 6-1 to march through to the second round of the Terry Marflitt Trophy.

On a fantastic surface Trinity started the game brightly playing quality football from the kick off.  Stevie Travers headed an early close range chance over the bar and Mick Toney fired just wide from close range.  However a goal wasn’t long coming and Stevie Travers scored it, heading in from close range to make it 1-0.  Then Chris Gardiner finished off a brisk Trinity break away, placing in his shot from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 before half time.

Despite playing slightly uphill in the second half Trinity carried on where they left off when Stevie Travers volleyed in from close range to finish off another quality Trinity move to make it 3-0.  Robbie Pearson rounded the Ealandians keeper before scoring to make it 4-0.  Then Stevie Travers completed his hat-trick in wonderful style, when he chested down a cross on the edge of the area before driving past the keeper’s right to make it 5-0.  Ealandians got a consolation goal when their centre half headed in from a corner.  However Trinity still managed to score the final goal of the game.  Mick Toney expertly lobbed the keeper, after a weak clearance, to make it 6-1.  An excellent performance by Trinity, and without their influential skipper Matt Jordan.  Let’s hope this kick starts their season!

Team: Hollings; Kilsby, McIntyre, Richardson, O’Keeffe; Higgins, Mullowney, Gardiner, Toney; Travers, Barrett

Subs: Pearson (for Barrett), Rogers (for O’Keeffe)

Formation: 4-4-2

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield

Sandal 1 Trinity 0

Despite creating a hatful of chances Trinity failed to score and went out of the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield 1-0 at Sandal.

Trinity started the game brightly and were quick to stamp their authority on the game, by being quicker to the ball and through playing good football through midfield.  Their tempo was only broken up by the pedantic actions of the referee who saw fit to penalise both sides for daring to take their throw-ins a few centimetres from the designated spot, actions which frustrated both teams.  Chris Gardiner tested the Sandal keeper with a couple of shots before they had their first real break through, when Stevie Travers was fouled in the penalty area to earn a penalty.  However skipper Matt Jordan’s tame spot kick was easily gathered by the keeper.  Last season he also missed a penalty at this ground.  Sandal's only real first half chance came when their 'nimble' footed fifty year old forward beat the Trinity offside trap, only to be thwarted by Simon Hollings in the Trinity goal.

The second half continued much in the same way as the first with Trinity having the lion’s share of possession and playing the better football.  A goal would surely follow.  It did but it was Sandal who scored it.  On a rare Sandal excursion upfield an attempted cross from the left took a deflection off Martin O’Keeffe, and the ball ended up spinning above the head of Trinity keeper Simon Hollings and into the net.  1-0 to Sandal.  With plenty of time to get an equaliser Trinity managed to create plenty of chances.  Mick Toney and Stevie Travers had a couple apiece.  However the equaliser didn’t happen and the final score finished 1-0 to Sandal. 

Team: Hollings; O’Keeffe, McIntyre, Jordan, Yates; Higgins, Mullowney, Gardiner, Kilsby; Travers, Barrett

Subs: Toney (for Kilsby), Pearson (for Barrett)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Leeds Medics II 1 Trinity 0

Matt Jordan came back from his honeymoon but failed to inspire Trinity, as they lost their second game of the season 1-0 at Leeds Medics II.

On a sweltering Saturday afternoon chances were few and far between for both sides in a frantic first half.  Both defences were largely on top, with Trinity’s free-scoring centre forward Stevie Travers not getting the faintest sniff of a chance at goal. Medics got the only goal of the match in the first half.  A momentary Trinity hesitation when they thought the ball had gone out of play allowed the Medics winger enough time to cross the ball into the area.  The cross was met by a header which deflected off Paul ‘Macca’ McIntyre before reaching the goal.  1-0 to Medics.  Other than that the other main incident in the first half was Martin O’Keeffe’s attempted long pass that resulted in him nearly breaking his toe by kicking the hard ground instead. Fortunately he managed to recover. 

After an energy sapping first half played in increasing heat, the dehydrated Trinity players left the field at the break looking forward to their half-time refreshments.  However it was a case of ‘Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink’ as they found that the water supply, which had been extremely limited to begin with, had nearly all been drunk.  The amount that was left had to be carefully rationed amongst the tired, thirsty players.

Trinity switched to a 4-4-2 for the second half in a bid to get their wide players forward more.  A Chris Gardiner header from a Gareth Curran cross was their best chance from open play.  Trinity’s best chances to score came from corners.  Jordan coming close with a header, and Jimmy Yates shooting from the edge of the area after the ball was partially clear.  Even keeper Simon Hollings joined in the push for an equaliser, when he went up for a corner near the end.  However the equaliser did not arrive and the game ended 1-0 to the Medics.

Team: Hollings; McIntyre, Richardson, O’Keeffe; Curran, Higgins, Mullowney, Gardiner, Yates; Travers, Jordan

Subs: Barrett (for O’Keeffe), J.Brown (for Higgins), Martin (for Jordan)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Colton 3 Trinity 2

Trinity stepped out for the new league campaign with a brand new white kit and with new hope after a successful unbeaten series of pre-season friendlies.  Unfortunately it was a case of same old story as several players pulled out of the game for one reason or another at a late stage.   And despite Stevie Travers scoring two goals Trinity couldn’t prevent an opening day defeat, as Colton won 3-2.

After a frantic start to the game Trinity managed to settle down and play some good football.  But it was Colton who took the lead in the first half.  A shot-come-cross from the left back sailed above Trinity stand-in keeper Jimmy Yates into the top of the net to make it 1-0 to Colton.   Trinity equalised when a Gareth Curran through ball was met by Stevie Travers, whose low shot beat the keeper to make it 1-1.  Colton regained the lead when Martin O’Keeffe was tackled in the Trinity penalty area by the Colton centre forward, who shot past Yates to make it 2-1 to Colton.

In the second half Trinity equalised again.  Travers beat the Colton centre back to a through ball before placing the ball past the keeper to score his second and make it 2-2.   Travers nearly completed his hat-trick after finding himself with just the keeper to beat, but on this occasion the keeper thwarted him.  With the game seemingly heading for a draw Trinity conceded a late penalty.  After some momentary indecision in the Trinity half by the Trinity players the Colton centre forward headed towards goal on a jinky run.  A challenge from behind by Trinity crowd favourite Jim ‘Mullers’ Mullowney was adjudged unfair by the referee.  Penalty awarded.  Penalty converted.  3-2 to Colton.  Trinity went in search of an equaliser and could have been awarded a penalty when the ball struck the arm of a Colton defender after an attempted cross.  But the referee saw no infringement.  Trinity couldn’t equalise again and the score finished 3-2 to Colton.

Team: Yates; McIntyre, O’Keeffe, Connolly; Curran, Higgins, Mullowney, Gardiner, J.Brown; Travers, Barrett

Subs: Kilsby (for Barrett)

Formation: 3-5-2

Pre-season Friendlies

Headingley Fusion 3 Trinity 3
Pack Horse 0 Trinity 11
Adel 0 Trinity 4

Trinity started off their pre-season campaign on a hot Sunday morning against newly founded Headingley Fusion, from the Work.com league.  Stevie Travers scored two and Matt Jordan scored one but Fusion equalised three times as honours were shared.

The Pack Horse Sunday team were Trinity's next opponents a few days later.  Trinity were in rampant form, attacking from both flanks in a 4-4-2 formation, and ended up destroying the opposition 11-0.  Scorers were Stevie Travers with four and Matt Jordan three.  Angus Martin, Chris Gardiner, Gareth Curran and Jamie Connolly all got one a piece.

Senior A side Adel were Trinity's last pre-season opposition, on Wednesday 3 September.  On a small tight pitch Adel's defence were surprisingly generous in the chances they offered the Trinity forward line.  Trinity took full advantage of the gifts that were offered to score four first half goals, and finish the game as 4-0 winners.  Martin O'Keeffe, Stevie Travers, and Martin Barrett with two goals were the scorers.

Overall it was trinity's best pre-season for years, which bodes well for the season ahead.