Match Reports 2004/05

League

Trinity 5 Stanningley 2 

Denis Katoro ended his season in style by scoring four goals, as Trinity ended their campaign with a 5-2 victory over Stanningley.

Needing to win by fourteen goals was Trinity's task if they were to have any chance of winning the championship.  This was an extremely difficult one especially as they were facing old rivals Stanningley, a side fighting to stay in Senior A.  Playing against a strong wind in the first half proved to be a hindrance to Trinity's goal scoring aspirations.  In fact Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal was called upon to make some fantastic saves in the opening forty-five minutes.  Trinity did go into the break 1-0 up courtesy of Denis Katoro.  Robbie Pearson, an early substitute for the injured Stevie Travers, beat the Stanningley offside trap as he ran onto a through ball.  His low pass was easily finished by the unmarked Katoro.

Robbie Pearson put Trinity two up early in the second half.  Yates' long punt evaded the Stanningley defence. Pearson latched onto it in the Stanningley penalty area, crashing the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0.  A right wing cross from Pearson was finished off by Katoro to make it 3-0.  Then Katoro completed his hat-trick, bravely beating the keeper to the ball to volley home a Mick Toney cross to make the score 4-0.  Stanningley didn't give in and started to dominate the play.  They pulled two goals back to make the score 4-2, as Trinity took their foot off the pedal.  However Katoro scored his fourth goal near the end of the match to wrap up the game for Trinity. Heading the ball over the centre back, Katoro then smashed a low left foot volley past the keeper to make it 5-2.  A brilliant way to end the season.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, McIntyre; Curran, Jordan, Higgins, Gardiner, Toney; Katoro, Travers

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

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Trinity 2 Leeds University 0 

Mick Toney scored with a spectacular volley to set Trinity on their way to a 2-0 victory over third placed Leeds University.  Leroy McIntosh scored the second as Trinity completed the double over the University and in doing so kept themselves in the race for the title.

Both sides played good football from the opening whistle, with the University side having slightly more of the territory.  Bobby Stephenson and Jonny Green both looked sharp without looking too threatening.  Trinity gradually gained control of the midfield area and took the lead midway through the first half.  Receiving the ball from Gareth Curran on the right hand side, Leroy McIntosh floated a deep cross past the far post.  From a tight angle Mick Toney connected it with his left foot and sent it flying into the net.  Paul Laverty, son of ex-Trinity legend Finbar Laverty, had no chance of saving it in the University goal.  A magnificent volley which made it 1-0 to Trinity.  Curran nearly increased the lead shortly afterwards but his left foot shot from the edge of the area was brilliantly saved by Laverty.  Stephenson nearly equalised for the University before half-time.  His lob beat the onrushing Jimmy Yates, but Martin Clubbs made an excellent recovery run and managed to turn the ball away before it entered the goal.

The second half  again saw some excellent football played by both sides.  The University gave Trinity some scary moments nearly equalising on a couple of occasions.  Yates was called upon to make a brave save at the feet of Stephenson on one occasion.  Towards the end of the second half Trinity began to get on top.  Large headed midfielder Chris Gardiner had a shot that sailed over the bar and Curran missed a good chance at the far post.  With ten minutes to go Trinity grabbed their second goal.  Leroy McIntosh fired home from close range after a goalmouth scramble, to make the score 2-0 to Trinity which is how the game finished.  An excellent result for Trinity which still leaves them with an outside chance of winning the Senior A title.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, McIntyre; Curran, Jordan, Higgins, Gardiner, Toney; McIntosh, Travers

Subs:  Pearson (for Curran)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Abbey Grange 4 Trinity 4 

Trinity staged a dramatic comeback to recover from 3-0 down to lead 4-3, but then conceded a late penalty as Abbey Grange gained a 4-4 draw.  A result leaves league leaders Leeds Medics requiring one win from their last two games to win the title.

On a hot, sunny day Abbey Grange were first to settle and they took an early lead.  Midfield playmaker Stuart Whittle played a quick free-kick through to his forward team mate, who steered the ball past Jimmy Yates to make it 1-0. Not long afterwards it was 2-0.  A cross from the right was headed in at the far post by Abbey Grange's left midfielder.  Whittle put Abbey Grange further in front in the first half, rising in the penalty area to head past Yates following a corner.  With the score at 3-0 Trinity were in serious trouble.  Ten minutes before half-time midfielder Neil Higgins reduced the arrears for Trinity, firing a left-foot shot home from the edge of the area.  

Trinity started the second half brightly but it was the introduction of Leroy McIntosh that really kick-started their revival.  He made an immediate impact with his speed, with and without the ball, which the tiring Abbey Grange defence found difficult to cope with.  Stevie Travers scored Trinity's second.  His close range shot struck an Abbey Grange defender before rebounding off his own head and spinning into the goal, to make the score 3-2.  Leroy McIntosh equalised firing in from close range to score his first goal for Trinity, to make the score 3-3.  Then Mick Toney finished from close range after a low cross from McIntosh, to make the score 4-3 fifteen minutes from time.  McIntosh came close to scoring his second and Trinity's fifth when he raced clear but unfortunately lifted his shot over the bar.   Then disaster struck.  Abbey Grange broke clear following a Trinity corner.  Gareth Curran dived in with a challenge on an Abbey Grange forward, tripping him up in the penalty area.  Penalty awarded and coolly converted by Whittle to make the score 4-4.  Trinity had eight minutes left to try and force the winner.  Travers came close with a close range shot but the score remained at 4-4. 

Team:  Yates; A.Brown, Priestley, McIntyre; Curran, Jordan, Higgins, Gardiner, Toney; Katoro, Travers

Subs:  McIntosh (for Katoro), Pearson (for McIntyre)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Modernians 0 Trinity 3 

Denis Katoro, Stevie Travers and big Tom Priestley all found the target as Trinity opened up a sixth point gap at the top of the table after beating Modernians 3-0.  

Playing with the wind in the first half the young Modernians side started brightly.  However it didn't take Trinity too long to settle down and their midfield started to get the ball down and play the brand of football that they've been used to playing all season.  Stevie Travers had the first real chance of the first half.  Unfortunately his tame header was easily gathered by the keeper.  Then Chris Gardiner had an opportunity to score midway through the first half.  Katoro's pass set him up ten yards from goal.  However his weak right foot shot was well saved by the keeper.  Shortly afterwards Katoro raced onto a high through ball before lobbing the keeper, but his effort went just past the post.  An angry Mick Toney tried to smash the ball into the back of the net from well within his own half, which raised a few bemused looks from his team mates.  However shortly afterwards he made up for it when he set up the first goal.  Katoro ran onto Toney's excellent slide rule through ball and from twenty yards out drove an unstoppable low first time shot past the keeper.  1-0 to Trinity.  Modernians pushed on for the rest of the half but Trinity held out.  Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal did well to hold onto a well driven shot from outside the area.

In the second half Trinity picked up the tempo again and increased their lead. A Toney corner was flicked on by Katoro and from the ensuing goalmouth scramble Stevie Travers was at hand to drive the ball home, making it 2-0 to Trinity.  Modernians nearly reduced the deficit when they created a one-on-one chance for one of their forwards against the Trinity keeper.  Yates in the Trinity goal was up for the challenge as he made a tremendous stop.  Not long afterwards Trinity scored a third.  An excellent Toney corner found the head of big Tom Priestley in the six yard box, who made no mistake as he powered it home to make it 3-0.  Trinity had chances to further extend their lead.  Robbie Pearson, returning after injury, raced onto a long Paul McIntyre pass.  However his shot went just wide.  Leroy McIntosh nearly scored his first goal for Trinity but his header failed to find the target.  Toney had a couple of attempts at goal but tightness of angle was always against him.  3-0 was the final result.  With three games left Trinity realise that maximum points is required if they are to seriously pressure Medics, who have four games in hand.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Priestley, Kilsby; Curran, Jordan, Higgins, Gardiner, Toney; Katoro, Travers

Subs:  McIntosh (for Katoro), Pearson (for Travers)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Centralians 1 Trinity 2 

Gareth Curran and big Tom Priestley scored the goals as Trinity went to the top of the table after beating Centralians 2-1.

Despite being an away fixture the game was played at St Theresa's, home of Trinity, due to Centralians' home pitch not being available for use.  The game also took place at the earlier kick off time of 12 pm.   The first half was quiet with no real chances being created by either side.  Both teams had penalty claims ignored by the referee.  Denis Katoro tumbled in the box after being challenged by the Centralians keeper Ian Taylor but the referee saw no infringement.  

In the second half Trinity started to get on top and they eventually took the lead on the hour.  Gareth Curran took on the full back before beating Taylor in the Centralians goal with a cross shot from a tight angle, to score his first goal of the season and make it 1-0 to Trinity.  A minute later Centralians equalised from their first chance of the second half.  A corner was met by Centralians' defender Chris Sowden and his header beat Jimmy Yates to make the score 1-1.   Almost immediately Trinity regained their lead.  Mick Toney crossed in a free kick from the left and Tom Priestley, who had missed an earlier chance, was at the far post to head it over Taylor to make the score 2-1.  Taylor's pleas that he was unsighted by the referee, standing in his line of vision when the cross was made, were ignored by the official and the goal stood.  Trinity held solid for the rest of the game but missed chances to extend their lead.  Stevie Travers was unable to convert a couple of chances that fell in his direction.   One negative point for Trinity was the knee injury sustained by midfielder Mark Ryan in the second half.  Hopefully this will heal in time for Trinity's next game in two weeks time. 

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; Curran, Jordan, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Katoro, Travers

Subs:  McIntyre (for Ryan)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Adel 2 Trinity 3 

Despite going one down in the second half Trinity fought back to earn a 3-2 victory over bottom of the table Adel.

An excellent playing surface and a warm, sunny day greeted both sides at the Adel Memorial Ground.  After an opening ten minutes where Adel dominated proceedings, Trinity gradually took charge.  Taking advantage of the excellent playing conditions they played  some superb passing football.  However though they created many chances in the first half they failed to turn them into goals.  Mick Toney  fired a shot from the edge of the area just wide.  Mark Ryan was a millimetres from connecting to a low, driven cross from Toney.  Following a corner Dave 'Killer' Kilsby headed over form close range.  The lively Leroy McIntosh, making his first start for Trinity, came close to scoring to his goal on a couple of occasions.  Racing through on goal his first touch let him down and he ended up karate kicking the keeper instead.  Then he headed over after big Tom Priestley headed a cross back across the face of goal.  Adel weren't there to make up the numbers and they nearly took the lead themselves when their centre forward was allowed to turn in the penalty area.  His shot hit the post.

Adel started the second half stronger and took the lead.  A cross was headed back to the far post where a midfielder was first to the ball, forcing it over the line to make it 1-0 to Adel.  That goal gave Adel confidence and they played with a passion which didn't reflect their position in the league table.  Trinity gradually regained their composure and started to create more chances.  McIntosh was thwarted by the Adel keeper as he attempted to take it round him. But shortly afterwards Trinity forced an equaliser.  Toney won back the ball in the penalty area before firing a low left foot shot past the keeper to make it 1-1.  Denis Katoro scored for the second week running after coming off the bench, to put Trinity in the lead.  Racing onto a Chris Gardiner through ball he guided the ball past the onrushing keeper to make it 2-1.  Then came the goal of the game.  A long Paul McIntyre pass found the feet of Mick Toney.  His low cross was met by Stevie Travers, who coolly placed his finish past the keeper to make it 3-1.  Toney wasted a chance to put Trinity further in front, chipping into the arms of the keeper when he had time and space in the penalty area.  Trinity were looking comfortable but they needlessly gave Adel a lifeline ten minutes from time.  After conceding a free-kick inside his own half McIntyre then diverted it past his own keeper and into the net, to make the score 3-2.  Trinity managed to hold on to record another victory.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; Curran, Jordan, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; McIntosh, Travers

Subs:  Katoro (for McIntosh), McIntyre (for Curran)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Trinity 3 Abbey Grange 1 

Trinity's persistence finally paid off as they converted two chances in the last ten minutes in their 3-1 victory over Abbey Grange.

Playing against the wind in the first half Trinity took an early lead, scoring in the third minute.  A Tom Priestley through-ball found Matt Jordan on the right hand side.  His inch perfect cross found Stevie Travers who made no mistake, placing the ball past the keeper from six yards out to make it 1-0.  For the rest of the half there were few scoring opportunities as Trinity battled to keep Abbey Grange at bay.  Resolute defending was called for as Trinity were restricted to breakaway attacks.  On one such breakaway Mick Toney opted to shoot from a tight, angle with Travers and Jordan waiting unmarked in the area for a cross.

Going out for the second half with the wind in their favour, Trinity appeared to have the attitude that the game was as good as won.  However Abbey Grange didn't have that attitude and they dominated the first twenty minutes of the half.  Midfielder Stuart Whittle, a regular for the YOBL representative team, netted an equaliser for Abbey Grange.  Finding time and space outside the area his long range shot found the corner of the net to make it 1-1.  A triple substitution was made in a bid to inject fresh energy into Trinity.  It certainly raised the offside count, as the fresh forwards were repeatedly found guilty of being closer to the opposition goal than the Abbey Grange defenders on a number of occasions.  On an occasion when Trinity found themselves onside Mark Ryan found himself twenty yards out with only the keeper to beat, after running onto a through ball.  Unfortunately he fluffed his right foot shot agonisingly past the post.  The game looked destined to end in a draw but Trinity's persistence eventually paid off, after they forced a corner with ten minutes to go.  Tom Priestley rose above the defence to head home Toney's corner and despite the keeper's efforts it found its way into the net, to make it 2-1 to Trinity.  Shortly afterwards Denis Katoro brushed off the challenge of a defender before passing the ball past the onrushing keeper from the edge of the area, to make it 3-1.  That goal secured a well-earned victory against a strong Abbey Grange side.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, McIntyre; Curran, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs:  McIntosh (for Travers), Katoro (for Higgins), Kilsby (for McIntyre)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Collegians 4 Trinity 6 

A ten goal feast was served up by Collegians and Trinity, with the main dish being clinical finishing and sloppy defending from both sides.  Trinity provided the majority of the goals as they ended the game as 6-4 victors.

A windy day and a skiddy surface was always going to cause problems for both defences and this proved to be the case in the first half.  Trinity took the lead in the first few minutes of the game.  A long Tom Priestley free kick found the head of midfielder Neil Higgins, who guided it beyond the reach of the keeper to make it 1-0.  Stevie Travers made it 2-0 with a well placed header which beat the keeper.  Collegians reduced the deficit shortly afterwards.  The unmarked Ricky Lodge side-footed home from six yards to make it 2-1.  Trinity skipper Matt Jordan restored the two goal lead, expertly lobbing the Collegians' keeper who'd strayed off his line, to make it 3-1.  Then Mark Ryan made it 4-1, arriving at the far post to finish from a low Mick Toney cross.  Trinity then took their foot off the pedal and allowed Collegians back into the game.  A cross wasn't properly cleared and Trinity allowed Collegians' midfielder Shaun Dawson time and space to shoot from the edge of the area.  Ian Lodge flicked the shot passed Yates in the Trinity goal to make it 4-2.  Dawson then made it 4-3, finishing from close range as the Trinity defence struggled to clear the ball.  Just before half-time Trinity re-opened a two goal gap.  Travers made an excellent challenge on the Collegians centre back to send Toney racing through on goal.  His well driven left foot shot found the corner of the net to make it 5-3.

With the wind behind them in the second half Collegians again reduced the deficit, midway through the half.  A long ball beat the Trinity defence and Ricky Lodge headed it over Yates to score his second of the the game making the score 5-4.  Trinity restored their two goal advantage again.  A Leroy McIntosh cross was met by Mark Ryan at the near post, who scored his second of the game to make it 6-4.  From then on Trinity took control of the game, playing some good possession football as they preserved their lead.  The final score finished 6-4.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, McIntyre; Curran, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs:  McIntosh (for Travers)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Roundhegians 0 Trinity 2 

Dave ' Killer' Kilsby and Mark Ryan scored the goals as Trinity got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Roundhegians, to complete a league double over last season's league champions.

A cold, brisk day at Roundhay Park nearly hosted a first minute opening goal.  Robbie Pearson's cross was diverted just wide by the onrushing Paul 'Macca' McIntyre.  Roundhegians, struggling this season but showing better form of late, showed greater conviction in the first half than their higher placed opponents.  Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal was forced to demonstrate his handling skills on a number of occasions as the Roundhay side pushed forward.  However it was Trinity that created the two best chances of the half.  Centre forward Denis Katoro made an excellent run on the right before crashing the ball in the direction of the goal but he was thwarted by the Roundhegians keeper.  Mark Ryan was presented with a one-on-one opportunity in the penalty area but the keeper did well to close down the shot.

In the second half Trinity upped the tempo of their game and pushed forward more. Their pressure paid off midway through the half when they took the lead.  A Chris Gardiner corner fell to the feet of Kilsby ten yards out.  His left foot shot took a slight deflection before hitting the inside of the post and resting resting in the goal.  1-0 to Trinity.  Following this opener Trinity pushed forward in search of a second but it was Roundhegians who nearly gained an equaliser from an unlikely source.  An innocuous looking cross was played into the penalty area and Martin 'Clubby' Clubbs lobbed his own keeper Yates in the Trinity goal.  Fortunately Kilsby retreated hastily and cleared the ball off the line.  Then Jimmy Yates was forced to make a fantastic close range save as Trinity faced some late pressure. In the last minute of the game Trinity wrapped up the points.  A mis-hit clearance by the Roundhegians keeper found the feet of Mark Ryan.  His first shot was saved but he made no mistake with the rebound, to complete a 2-0 victory to Trinity.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Pearson; Jordan, Katoro

Subs:  Connolly (for Pearson)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Trinity 3 Leeds Medics 4 

Leeds Medics extended their lead at the top of the table as they defeated Trinity 4-3.  

Playing against a strong wind in the first half Trinity found themselves under pressure from a strong Medics side.  The Trinity defence were equal to everything the Medics threw at them, with Tom Priestley particularly commanding in the centre of defence.  Finally the Medics pressure paid off when they took the lead.  A speculative overhead kick from Richard Robinson looped over Jimmy Yates and into the top of the net, to make it 1-0 to the Medics.  Trinity occasionally broke forward and from one such break they equalised.  Denis Katoro played a slide rule ball behind the Medics defence into the path of Matt Jordan, who side-footed past the keeper to make it 1-1.  To keep it at this score until half-time would have been an excellent achievement for Trinity, but it wasn't to be.  A cross from the left was met by the left foot of Steve Slater, who drilled it past Yates to make it 2-1 to the Medics.  Then before half-time a Dave Kilsby pack pass found the feet of Medics forward Richard Robinson.   Despite Martin Clubbs desperate lunge on the line Robinson's shot found it's way into the back of the net to make it 3-1. 

With the wind behind them in the second half Trinity were looking to get back into the game.  However within five minutes Medics had extended their lead.  A low cross from the right was met at the far post by Andrew Cruikshanks, who drove it into the net to make it 4-1.  One quality about Trinity is that they never give in and they continued to push forward, forcing a number of corners.  Jordan, Priestley and Clubbs all went close to reducing the deficit as a result from these corners.  In fact a Clubbs header struck the outside of the post.  Robbie Person reduced the deficit diverting a long through ball past the keeper to make it 4-2.  Throughout this time the Medics continued to attack, in an open second half.  Yates, in the Trinity goal, was called upon to make a couple of excellent saves.  In the last minute of the game Kilsby fired in a left foot shot from the edge of the area to make the score 4-3.  With no time to push for another goal this proved to be the final score.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Katoro

Subs:  Pearson (for McIntyre), Travers (for Higgins), Mullowney (for Clubbs)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Trinity 0 Yorkshire Bank 0 

Defences ruled the day as Trinity fought out a 0-0 draw with fourth placed Yorkshire Bank.  In a game of few chances Trinity failed to breach the opposition defence as they recorded their first draw of the season and their first goalless draw for a few years. 

In a first half, played in a good competitive spirit by both sides, Trinity came closest to taking the lead.  Martin Clubbs headed over from close range following a corner.  Paul McIntyre blasted over after being played through by the lively Mick Toney.  Chris Gardiner fired over from the edge of the area.  Denis Katoro broke through on the left after winning possession from a Bank defender.  Unfortunately his attempted shot with the outside of his foot failed to trouble the keeper.

It was a similar story in the second half with both defences being on top again.  The Bank nearly scored when forward Andy Clarke headed over from a yard out, when it looked simpler to score.  Then Matt Jordan set Katoro up for a chance but the Bank keeper went down well to save his shot.  Trinity came closest to winning near the end when a Toney cross-come-shot flashed past the far post, after a good team build up initiated by Gareth Curran.  Despite stating he was adding on time for stoppages every time play stopped the referee blew the final whistle after fifteen seconds of injury time, to signal a 0-0 final score.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Katoro

Subs:  Curran (for McIntyre), Travers (for Katoro), McIntosh (for Clubbs)

Formation: 3-5-2

Yorkshire Old Boy's Shield (Quarter final)

Trinity 0 Old Rovers 2 

A goal in each half was enough for Old Rovers as Trinity were defeated 2-0 in the quarter finals of the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield.  Despite creating several chances they didn't manage to get onto the score sheet as their cup dreams ended for another year. 

Old Rovers started the game the stronger keeping Trinity penned back in their own half.  However it was Trinity who created the better chances early on.  Denis Katoro cut in from the left after robbing a defender, only to be stopped by the Old Rovers keeper.  Shortly after Katoro had a header which narrowly  flew over the bar.  Trinity began to settle down and impose themselves on the game.  Dave 'Killer' Kilsby came close to scoring after connecting with a Mick Toney corner at the near post.  Then with ten minutes to go to half-time Old Rovers took the lead.  The impressive Jamel Mankouri skillfully set up a flowing move from the halfway line.   He was then at hand to finish it, placing the ball from the edge of the area past Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal to make it 1-0 to Rovers.  Mark Ryan came close to equalising shortly afterwards but his shot from inside the Rovers penalty area flew over the bar.

The second half saw Trinity step up their game in a bid to equalise.  Matt Jordan raced through the Rovers defence but the keeper made an excellent save to prevent him from scoring.  Katoro had a shot deflected for a corner as Trinity piled on the pressure.  Big Tom Priestley was pushed up front near the end in a desperate bid to force an equaliser.  Straight away he had a shot that went narrowly over.  In the dying seconds a Trinity corner found the head of Stevie Travers but his header went agonisingly over the bar.   Then Rovers broke away and scored.  Marc Broadbent lobbed the advancing Jimmy Yates, who'd made a fantastic save with his feet  a few minutes earlier, to make it 2-0.  The referee blew for time and Old Rovers advanced to the semi-finals.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Katoro

Subs:  Curran (for McIntyre), Pearson (for Toney), Travers (for Higgins)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Trinity 1 Collegians 0

Matt Jordan's first-half free-kick was enough to grab the points as Trinity beat mid-table Collegians 1-0 in a tight, scrappy encounter. 

Whether or not they were unsettled by the boisterous behaviour of Collegians in the changing rooms, Trinity started the game slowly.  Collegians dominated the early exchanges though they never really troubled Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal, due to a mixture of poor decision making and finishing in the last third of the pitch.  However it was Trinity who took the lead midway through the first half.  Matt Jordan's low, driven free-kick was fumbled by the unsighted Collegian's keeper and found its way into  the net, to make it 1-0 to Trinity.

In the second half Collegians continued to press forward but were constantly thwarted by the excellent Trinity rearguard of Priestley, Clubbs and Kilsby.  Yates in the Trinity was a safe pair of hands if ever the ball came his way.  Collegians posed their biggest threat from corners and the long throw-ins of their veteran midfielder Simaon Jones, who added a touch of composure to proceedings.  Trinity were lucky not to have conceded a penalty after Mark Ryan appeared to have brought down a Collegians' player from behind, but the referee adjudged it a fair challenge.  Denis Katoro came closest to adding to Trinity's lead when his close range shot crept passed the post.  Near the end a Collegians shot hit the outside of the post with Yates seemingly beaten.  Luckily a Trinity player was first to the rebound to clear the ball to safety.  Trinity held onto win and gain another three points.  Though they went back to Huddersfield empty handed, Collegians will feel satisfied at putting in such a good performance.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Mullowney, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs:  Katoro (for Travers), Curran (for McIntyre), Pearson (for Clubbs)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Leeds University 0 Trinity 2

Martin 'Clubby' Clubbs scored his first ever goal for Trinity in open play, as Trinity beat previously unbeaten Leeds University 2-0.

On an excellent Weetwood pitch, ideal for playing football, Leeds University had the better of the early play as Trinity took their time to get into the game.  However once they settled Trinity started to play some good football.  Stevie Travers had a couple of chances to open the scoring, shooting narrowly wide after being played in by the busy Matt Jordan.  With five minutes to go to half-time Trinity took the lead.  Travers headed a Mick Toney corner onto the bar and Martin 'clubby' Clubbs was first to the rebound, to poke the ball over the line making it 1-0 to Trinity.

Within five minutes of the second half Trinity had doubled their lead.  A Toney corner was headed into the net by a University defender at the near post, to make it 2-0 to Trinity.  University raised their efforts to get back into the game, with their captain Phil Mason becoming more influential in midfield.  Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates was called on a few occasions to prevent University narrowing their lead.  Trinity also had chances to extend their lead.  Denis Katoro came close with a shot from outside the area.  Towards the end of the game Trinity showed great maturity and skill in keeping possession to run down the clock.  The game finished 2-0, a memorable victory against strong opposition.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs:  Katoro (for Travers), Curran (for McIntyre), Pearson (for Toney)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Trinity 3 Old Rovers 2

Stevie Travers was back to his goal-poaching best as ten-man Trinity fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the comeback of the season, against second in the table Old Rovers.

Playing against a very strong wind in the first half Trinity started the game brightly, competing well and playing good football against their higher placed opponents.  A Mick Toney shot from the edge of the area nearly found the back of the net but for an excellent save from the Rovers keeper.  Old Rovers came close with a couple of chances.  Jimmy Yates made a fantastic diving save to stop a long-range effort, and skipper Matt Jordan made an excellent headed goal line clearance to prevent Rovers from scoring.  With five minutes to go before half-time it looked as though Trinity were going to see out the first-half level, but then disaster struck.  Firstly Old Rovers took the lead.  The unmarked Tom Fay fired home after a cross from the left wasn't cleared effectively, to make the score 1-0 to Rovers.  Then Gareth Curran, on the field for  ten minutes after coming on for the injured Paul McIntyre, horribly mis-timed a tackle on a Rovers midfielder.  The referee had no option but to send him off.

Down to ten men and 1-0 down against the team that was second in the table Trinity knew they were up against it in the second half, despite having the strong wind behind them.  When Paul Dodd headed Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates to make it 2-0 to Rovers, they knew they were up against it even more.  Twenty minutes from the end co-manager Jim 'Mullers' Mullowney put himself on for the heavily bandaged Mark Ryan.  Ryan had suffered a deep facial cut in the first half and the Trinity medical team's efforts to bandage him resulted in his mouth being taped similar to that of a victim being held hostage, which seemingly restricted his breathing.  Five minutes later a Mullowney cross wasn't properly cleared and the ball was played back into the area where it found the feet of Stevie Travers, who coolly steered the ball past the keeper to make the score 2-1.  Shortly afterwards Trinity equalised.  Jordan raced onto a Chris Gardiner through ball and guided the ball past the keeper to make it 2-2.  With the wind getting stronger and Trinity playing with great confidence their was only going to be one winner.  After forcing a succession of corners Trinity finally took the lead.  Toney's corner was headed back across goal by big Tom Priestley and up jumped Travers to guide the ball home with his head to make it 3-2.  Trinity held onto the lead for the rest of the game to gain a memorable victory.

Team:  Yates; Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; McIntyre, Higgins, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Travers

Subs:  Curran (for McIntyre), Mullowney (for Ryan)

Formation: 3-5-2

League

Yorkshire Bank 3 Trinity 2

Despite fighting back from 2-0 down, Trinity went down 3-2 at Senior A rivals Yorkshire Bank, to end their 2004 campaign in defeat.

On a surprisingly heavy Yorkshire pitch, Trinity showed glimpses of quality football early on though they were well marshalled by the Bank defence.  The Bank took the lead in the first half when a cross from the left was nodded into the path of Mark Reid, whose volley from the edge of the area found the corner of the net to make it 1-0.  They increased their lead ten minutes later.  After breaking on the right, after Trinity lost the ball in midfield, the ball was cut back for Dave Bergen to fire the ball home and make the score 2-0.  Trinity aren't known for lying down and they stepped up a gear.  Their efforts were rewarded when they pulled a goal back before half-time.  Mick Toney crashed the ball in from the edge of the area after Stevie Travers played him in.

The second half saw Trinity out of the blocks fast in their attempt to get an equaliser.  It finally arrived after from Dave 'Killer' Kilsby.  The Bank struggled to clear a Toney corner and the ball dropped invitingly for Kilsby to smash the ball into the net from eight yards out.  At that point Trinity looked the more likely winners.  However the Bank quickly regained their lead.  Reid scored his second of the game,  diverting a team mate's shot with his head after a tricky cross from the right was only partially cleared.  With the score at 3-2 Trinity had to try to equalise again.  However from that point on the Bank took control of the game and Trinity never really had a chance to equalise.  In the last ten minutes Trinity barely touched the ball such was the Bank's dominance, though they didn't actually create any chances of note themselves.  The game finished 3-2 in the Bank's favour, to end Trinity's year in disappointing fashion.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Clubbs, McIntyre; Curran, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Katoro, Travers

Subs:  Kilsby (for McIntyre), Pearson (for Katoro)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 5 Modernians 2

Denis Katoro grabbed another two goals, to take his season’s tally to nine as Trinity beat Modernians 5-2 in the league.  Trinity’s victory means that they have remained unbeaten at home in the league for the whole of 2004.

Trinity started well and Stevie Travers nearly opened the scoring after the keeper saved his close range header, following a Katoro cross.  However it wasn’t long before Trinity took the lead.  After venturing up for a corner big Tom Priestley headed in from close range following a Mick Toney corner, to make it 1-0.  Shortly after Katoro scored his first of the game.  He calmly controlled the ball and fired it past the keeper following a deep free-kick from the lively Toney.  Trinity then found themselves 3-0 up after their central defender lobbed his own keeper to put the ball in his own net.  Trinity then appeared to take their foot off the pedal as Modernians started to creep back into the game.  Modernians centre forward James Hochstrasse lobbed Jimmy Yates from twenty yards out to make the score 3-1, after some indecision in the Trinity defence.  Normal service was resumed shortly afterwards when Trinity regained their three goal advantage.  Breaking forward in numbers Chris Gardiner cut the ball back for fellow midfielder Mark Ryan to tap the ball into the net, to make it 4-1.

In the second half Modernians got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty, following a Yates foul on the forward.  Stef Papa placed the ball under the dive of Yates to make the score 4-2.  But Trinity restored their three-goal advantage within a minute.  Katoro’s thirty-yard shot evaded the keeper before crashing into the roof of the net to make it 5-2.  After that Trinity were never under any serious threat from Modernians and relaxed, playing some good football.  Dave Kilsby came closest to adding to the lead firing over from five yards out.  But the score remained the same, finished 5-2 to Trinity. 

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Clubbs, McIntyre; Curran, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Katoro, Travers

Subs:  Kilsby (for Katoro), Martin (for Curran), Pearson (for Jordan)

Formation: 4-4-2

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield

Calverley 2 Trinity 4

Trinity made it to the last eight of the Yorkshire Old Boys’ Shield after a tense victory over Division One side Calverley.  Skipper Matt Jordan scored in the last minute of the game to clinch a close 4-2 win, to set up a mouth watering quarter-final tie with Senior A rivals Old Rovers.

On a muddy, bobbly Calverley pitch Trinity started the game brightly.  Denis Katoro raced through the Calverley defence as early as the first minute, but was thwarted by the outstretched leg of the Calverley defender.  However it was Calverley who took the lead in the first half.  A free-kick from the right was headed in at the far post by Paul Jones to make the score 1-0 to Calverley.  In their bid to get an equaliser Trinity lost some of their early composure and their play seemed a bit frantic.  In fact they had keeper Jimmy Yates to thank after he made a tremendous save, when the Calverley forward found himself through on goal.  But just before half-time Trinity got a penalty.  A Jim Mullowney cross was handled in the area by a Calverley midfielder.  Chris Gardiner coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1.

Calverley regained their lead early in the second half, with a goal similar to their first.  Another free-kick from the right was headed in at the far post by Nick Sutcliffe, to make the score 2-1 to Calverley.  Trinity equalised again.  Mullowney headed a deep Mick Toney cross back into the goalmouth and Mark Ryan was at hand to fire the ball past the keeper to make it 2-2.  The game was opening up for both sides and it was Trinity who took advantage of this openness to score again.  After dribbling in from the right, Toney cut back onto his right foot and dinked the ball over the keeper to make it 3-2.  Calverley had chances to equalise but the Trinity defence managed to hold them out.  Then in the last minute Jordan broke forward on the left and laid the ball back to Neil Higgins.  His shot was stopped but Jordan was there to score from the rebound, to make the final score 4-2.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Priestley, Clubbs, Kilsby; Mullowney, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Katoro

Subs:  O’Keeffe (for Kilsby), Higgins (for McIntyre)

Formation: 4-4-2

Leeds & District Senior Cup

Trinity 2 Yorkshire Amateurs Reserves 3

North East Counties League side Yorkshire Amateurs Reserves ended Trinity’s Leeds & District Senior Cup dreams.  Despite putting in a fine performance Trinity were beaten 3-2.

From the first whistle Trinity took the game to their highly ranked opponents.  Equal to the Ammers in the tackle and more of a match for them in terms of quality, Trinity were giving their opponents plenty of things to worry about.  The Ammers were strong and organised and they too were up for the occasion.  However despite the quality of play, both defences proved resilient and goal-scoring chances were at a premium.  The Ammers took the lead before half-time.  Their left midfielder made space for himself on the edge of the box before driving the ball past Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal, to make the score 1-0.

Trinity came out for the second half with the same resolve as they had at the start of the game, determined to get an equaliser.  Large headed midfielder Chris Gardiner came close with a shot from the edge of the area, Denis Katoro came close from a Mick Toney corner and Tom Priestley had a shot from twelve yards blocked.  Against the run of play the Ammers extended their lead.  A corner from the right was headed in to make the score 2-0.  Trinity increased their momentum in a bid to get back into the game.  Fifteen minutes from time Priestley headed in from close range from a Toney cross, to make it 2-1.  Trinity pressed on.  A claim for a penalty was turned down when Stevie Travers tumbled over in the box after a challenge.  Shortly afterwards the Ammers broke through to score a third, to make it 3-1.   Still the game wasn’t over.  Denis Katoro reduced the deficit again, heading past the keeper after some excellent play by Robbie Pearson.  This set up a frantic finish.  But the Ammers defence held firm to secure a 3-2 victory.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Clubbs, McIntyre; Mullowney, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Travers, Katoro

Subs: Pearson (for Mullowney), O’Keeffe (for McIntyre), Curran (for Travers)

Formation: 4-4-2

Terry Marflitt Trophy

Leeds University 3 Trinity 2

Despite goals from Mark Ryan and Matt Jordan, Trinity disappointedly lost 3-2 to fellow Senior A side Leeds University in the Terry Marflitt Trophy.

Trinity took the lead early in the first half.  A Mick Toney free kick was badly handled by University keeper Paul Laverty, and Mark Ryan was at hand to take advantage kneeing the ball in from close range.  Trinity were playing good football but  failed to impose themselves in the University half so further chances didn’t arise, though their defence seemed comfortable keeping the University forwards at bay.  However the University managed to equalise.  Forward Bobby Stephenson’s excellent free-kick gave Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal no chance, as it flew into the top corner of the net to make the score 1-1.  Trinity nearly regained their lead immediately.  Tom Priestley headed just wide after a corner from the left.  Before half-time Trinity did regain their lead.  A Mick Toney corner was headed in at the far post by skipper Matt Jordan, to make the score 2-1.

The second half was similar to the first, with few clear cut chances created.  Bobby Stephenson scored his second goal to equalise for the University.  His shot from the edge of the area crept past Yates to make the score 2-2.  Disaster then struck for Trinity.  Dave Kilsby, who was lucky not to have conceded a penalty in the first half after seemingly chopping down a University forward, attempted a simple pass to Priestley near his own goal.  Unfortunately it was mis-hit and Stephenson nipped in to intercept, before steering the ball past Yates to make the score 3-2 to the University.  Trinity rallied themselves in an attempt to get an equaliser.  Toney had a goal disallowed after the referee spotted an infringement in the area.  Denis Katoro was seemingly tripped in the penalty area but this time the referee didn’t spot an offence.  Laverty in the University goal, who’d had a poor first half, made a couple of excellent stops to prevent Trinity getting a goal.  It wasn’t to be for Trinity and the game ended 3-2 in favour of Leeds University.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby; Curran, Ryan, Gardiner, Toney; Travers, Katoro

Subs: Pearson (for Curran), Higgins (for Travers)

Formation: 4-4-2

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield

Trinity 3 Kinloss 1

Mick Toney, Denis Katoro and Chris Gardiner found the target for Trinity as they marched into the next round of the Yorkshire Old Boys’ Shield.  Opponents Kinloss returned to Hull after being defeated 3-1 in a game of many chances.

Trinity started the game brightly and took the lead when Mick Toney headed home from a Chris Gardiner cross to make it 1-0.  Denis Katoro, who was a constant danger, added a second shortly after.  A Dave Kilsby long ball was mis-headed by the Kinloss centre defender into the path of Katoro, who placed it past the keeper to make it 2-0 to Trinity.  A third goal was added to the tally when a Kinloss defender deflected a cross from Gardiner over the keeper and into the net.  Whether Gardiner should have been awarded the goal is open to question but there was no debating that it was 3-0 to Trinity.  Skipper Matt Jordan and Katoro had chances to extend the lead further in the half.  Kinloss, who’d proven their class in the last round by leading Senior A side Yorkshire Bank, also had their fair share of chances.  However a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping by JimmyYates, no doubt riled by pre-match criticism, kept them at bay.

The second half saw Kinloss come out of the blocks the fastest and they dominated proceedings early in the half.  They got a goal their dominance deserved when a shot from the edge of the area crept past Yates after a fortunate deflection, to make it 3-1.  Kinloss created more chances but again the combination of poor finishing and last ditch Trinity defending kept them at bay.  Trinity themselves created a number of chances to extend their lead.  Jordan headed over from close range.  Stevie Travers and Mark Ryan were also close to scoring.  However no further goals were scored and the match finished 3-1 in Trinity’s favour.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; Curran, Mullowney, Gardiner, Toney; Jordan, Katoro

Subs: Travers (for Priestley), Ryan (for Curran), Higgins (for Mullowney)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Leeds Medics 2 Trinity 0

Trinity lost in the battle of the top two as Leeds Medics deservedly won 2-0, a result which means Trinity drop to third place in the table.

On an excellent Weetwood pitch Trinity found it difficult to come to terms with a Leeds Medics side, who are deservedly one of the favourites for the Senior A title.  Tough in defence, fast all over the park and playing a fast flowing style of football Medics always looked difficult opposition.  However Trinity rose to the challenge and offered glimpses of the quality that has brought them to the top of the table.  Denis Katoro and Mick Toney both had long range efforts, though they barely tested the Medics keeper. Medics took the lead on the half hour mark.  Jimmy Yates, who'd played well in the Trinity goal, spilled a shot and Steve Slater was at hand to score from the rebound to make it 1-0 to the Medics.

The second half was similar to the first with Medics largely on top and playing the better football.  Anthony Morris made it 2-0, firing in from twelve yards after Trinity failed to clear a corner.  Trinity looked a threat from corners though they never really created any clear cut chances.  Though Trinity didn't play badly they'll have to improve an awful lot if they are to beat sides with the quality of Leeds Medics.

Team: Yates; McIntyre, Clubbs, Priestley, Kilsby; Curran, Jordan, Gardiner, Toney; Travers, Katoro

Subs: Turner (for Curran), Mullowney (for McIntyre), Connolly (for Travers)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Stanningley 4 Trinity 2

Anthony McKeown scored two wonder goals for Stanningley as Trinity lost for the first time this season, going down 4-2 to last season's Senior B champions.

Trinity started the game brightly but it was Stanningley who took the lead.  Danger man Eamonn O'Hanlon appeared to have scuffed his shot from the edge of the area.  However it crept past the unsighted Jimmy Yates to give Stanningley a 1-0 lead.  Shortly afterwards Trinity equalised from Stevie Travers.  Latching onto a long goal kick he rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net to make it 1-1.  Trinity were playing the better football with Travers and Denis Katoro both having chances to put Trinity in the lead. Against the run of play Stanningley took the lead.  After an O'Hanlon flick McKeown hit a first time volley over the head of Jimmy Yates from thirty yards out, to give Stanningley a 2-1 lead.  McKeown increased Stanningley's lead with an equally stunning goal later in the half.  After Matt Jordan lost the ball in midfield, Stanningley broke and McKeown blasted another shot from outside the area past the despairing reach of Yates.  3-1 to Stanningley. 

The second half saw Trinity go further behind.  Dean Staveley's well struck free kick beat Yates to give Stanningley a 4-1 lead.  Trinity pushed forward with Travers uncharacteristically blasting over from inside the area.  Katoro got a late consolation for Trinity, heading in from close range from a Tom Priestley cross to make it 4-2.

Team: Yates; McIntyre, Clubbs, Jordan, Kilsby; Curran, Rogers, Gardiner, Mullowney; Travers, Katoro

Subs: O'Keeffe (for Mullowney), Priestley (for Rogers), Connolly (for McIntyre)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 3 Adel 1

Denis Katoro scored two goals as Trinity fought back to beat Adel 3-1 and preserve their 100% record this season.

A windy first half saw bottom of the table Adel start stronger as they won the early exchanges.  Bigger physically, Adel dominated in both ground and aerial challenges.  They took the lead early in the first half when Alex Koi, a dominating presence in midfield, cracked an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from twenty five yards out to make it 1-0 to Adel.  Trinity were stirred into action and Stevie Travers had opportunities to equalise that he failed to convert.  However Adel continued to be the stronger team for the rest of the half.

Half time allowed calm to be restored to the Trinity ranks and they started to improve after the break.  Katoro finished off a good Trinity move, heading in from close range after a Gareth Curran cross to make the score 1-1.  The same two players were involved when Trinity took the lead.  Katoro controlled Curran’s long ball into the box before, guiding it past the keeper to make it 2-1.  Trinity were very much in the driving seat at this point.  Five minutes from the end they clinched victory.  Matt Jordan headed in at the far post following a Mick Toney free-kick to make it 3-1.  Not a vintage Trinity performance but sufficient to claim three points and hold onto top spot.

Team: Yates; McIntyre, Clubbs, Jordan, Kilsby; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Ryan; Travers, Katoro

Subs: Toney (for McIntyre), Connolly (for Travers), Mullowney (for Higgins)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 6 Roundhegians 1

Stevie Travers announced his return to the side after recovering from injury with a first half hat-trick as Trinity thrashed last season’s champions Roundhegians 6-1.  Denis Katoro, making his league debut for Trinity, scored two goals and Chris Gardiner scored from the penalty spot to complete the destruction.

Whether they were inspired by the pre-match sales pitch from a local insurance salesman is open to question.  However Trinity were revved up from the start and went in front in the first minute.  Denis Katoro placed the ball past the keeper to give Trinity the lead.  Roundhegians, showing their fighting qualities which have won them the Senior A championship twice in the last three years, fought back and forced an equaliser.  A Steve Wales cross was headed in by Imran Mughal to make it 1-1.  Within a minute Trinity had regained the lead.  Travers finished off an excellent move involving Katoro and Mark Ryan, firing into the roof of the net past the keeper.  The same three players were involved again when Trinity extended their lead.  Travers again provided the finish to make it 3-1.  Travers completed his hat-trick before half time, finishing off a move from close range to make it 4-1.

Roundhegians changed to a 3-5-2 formation for the second half in a bid to try to force their way back into the game.  But Trinity killed the game off soon after the restart with a fifth goal.  Katoro latched onto a through ball and fired the ball past the keeper to score his second and make the score 5-1.  From that point Trinity were never in danger of losing control against a Roundhegians side that began to lose their discipline.  Near the end of the match Chris Gardiner, who had been taunted by the Roundhegians supporters about the size of his head, had the last laugh when he converted a penalty following a foul on Mark Ryan.  Despite Roundhegians protests concerning the manner in which the kick was taken, the goal stood and the match finished 6-1 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Clubbs, Jordan, Kilsby; Curran, Higgins, Gardiner, Ryan; Travers, Katoro

Subs: Martin (for Curran), Connolly (for Travers), Mullowney (for Katoro)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Old Rovers 0 Trinity 2

Neil Higgins and Mick Toney scored the goals as Trinity went to top of the league with a 2-0 victory over Old Rovers.  After only two league games Trinity are the only team in Senior A with a 100% record.

After winning their first game of the season Trinity were up against it early in the match, when Tom Priestly suffered a reoccurrence of a long-standing knee injury and had to leave the field of play.  The first half was largely all Old Rovers as Trinity struggled against the pace and numbers in midfield and found it hard to get out of their own half.  Trinity were relieved to go into the half time break with the score still level at 0-0.

Tactical changes were made at half time in a bid to make Trinity take greater control of the game and almost immediately they worked.  A Mick Toney free kick was met by the head of Neil Higgins, who had just come on as a half time substitute, and flew past the Old Rovers keeper to make the score 1-0 to Trinity.  A second goal was scored after a Trinity break on the right.  Greg Turner’s cross was diverted into the path of Mick Toney.  His low drive from just inside the area gave the keeper no chance and made the score 2-0.  Old Rovers attacked in numbers creating a number of chances but luck wasn’t on their side and they failed to convert any of them.  Mick Toney and Greg Turner had chances to put Trinity further ahead, but the score remained at 2-0 and Trinity claimed their second win of the season.

Team:  Yates, McIntyre, Kilsby, Priestley, Ryan; Curran, Gardiner, J.Brown, Toney; Jordan, Pearson

Subs: Turner (for Priestley), Higgins (for J. Brown), Connolly (for Pearson)

Formation: 4-4-2

League

Trinity 4 Centralians 2

Trinity started off their Senior A campaign with a 4-2 victory over the 2002/03 champions Centralians.

After a promising pre-season campaign Trinity started the game well and took the lead from Robbie Pearson, who tucked the ball neatly away past Ian Taylor in the Centralians' goal after being played in by Gareth Curran.  After that goal Trinity lost the initiative and Centralians started to dominate the play. The Trinity defence held firm until they conceded a free kick when Paul 'Macca' McIntyre handballed just outside the box.  Centralians struck a quick free-kick before Trinity could form a solid wall, and it went past the despairing dive of Trinity keeper Simon Hollings to make the score 1-1.

Playing against the wind in the second half Trinity began to regain their composure.  A cross from Mick Toney on the right set up a goal mouth scramble.  Mark Ryan, who had ventured forward from left back, was at hand to rifle the ball home from close range to make the score 2-1 to Trinity. Greg Turner added a third, placing the ball past Centralians keeper Taylor after Curran had played him through.  Mick Toney made the score 4-1 to Trinity nudging the ball past Taylor after Lee Walton had passed the ball through to him.  Centralians scored from the penalty spot in the last minute of the game after John Rogers was adjudged to have pushed one of their forwards.

Team:  Hollings, McIntyre, Kilsby, Jordan, Ryan; Curran, Walton, J.Brown, Toney; Turner, Pearson

Subs: Martin (for J. Brown), Rogers (for Pearson), Connolly (for Turner)

Formation: 4-4-2

Pre-season Friendlies

Centralians 4 Trinity 2
Headingley Fusion 3 Trinity 3
Griffordians 1 Trinity 3
Colton 1 Trinity 4

Trinity started off their pre-season campaign against the 2002/03 league champions Centralians in a game consisting of three periods of 30 minutes.  After going behind Trinity scored two goals in the second period of the game, Stevie Travers and Dave Kilsby being the scorers.  However Trinity conceded three goals in the last period to lose 4-2.

Headingley Fusion, from the Work.com league, were Trinity's next opposition.  In an exciting encounter Trinity went into a three goal lead.  Stevie Travers, Angus Martin and Mick Toney were the scorers.  However Trinity conceded three goals in the last third of the game, like the previous match, and the honours were shared.

Senior B side Griffordians were Trinity's next opponents. Last season they gave Trinity three very good games and they didn't disappoint on this occasion either. But Trinity were a class above their rivals on this occasion and they raced into a three goal lead before half-time.  New signing Denis Katoro scored two goals and Mick Toney scored one.  Griffordians managed a consolation goal in the second half.  Though Trinity should have scored more the game finished 3-1.

Another Senior B side Colton were Trinity's last pre-season opposition.  As always Colton provided tough uncompromising opposition and they took the lead in the first minute of the game.  Trinity weren't rattled and they quickly equalised through Matt Jordan.  Denis Katoro and Jamie Connolly added goals before half-time.  In the second half Robbie Pearson added a fourth goal to make the final score 4-1.