Match Reports 2007/08 - first team

League

Trinity 5 FC Headingley 4

Tom Marston scored two as Trinity ended the season with a 5-4 victory over FC Headingley. 

FC Headingley took an early lead on a hot afternoon at Temple Newsam Park .  Forward Matt Raw cut inside and scored the opener of the game after robbing Dave Kilsby of possession near the touch line.  1-0 to FC Headingley.  Trinity's equaliser came courtesy of Tom Marston.  His low right foot shot from just inside the area following a cross field ball from Robbie Pearson made it 1-1.  Kilsby made up for his earlier error when he scored Trinity's second, firing home from close range as the away side struggled to clear the ball following a corner.  2-1 to Trinity at half-time.

In the second half Trinity continued to create a number of chances as they had done in the first forty-five minutes.  However it was FC Headingley who equalised with a shot from just inside the penalty area after Trinity only partially cleared a corner.  2-2.  Trinity then took control of the game, scoring three goals in a productive fifteen minute spell.  Marston scored his second of the game when the opposition goalkeeper dropped his free-kick into the net.  3-2 to Trinity.  Then Leroy McIntosh scored from close range following good work on the left from Pearson to make it 4-2.  Stevie Travers, who had been guilty of missing a number of chances, finally grabbed a goal.  He met McIntosh's low cross to steer the ball home, making it 5-2.  Trinity then seemed to relax resulting in them conceding two late goals, as FC Headingley made the last ten minutes a more competitive affair.  However Trinity hung on to record a 5-4 victory.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, McIntyre, McIntosh, Marston, Mullowney, Mughal, Pearson, Travers

Subs: Curran (for Mughal)

League

Trinity 1 Collegians 0

Stevie Travers scored the only goal of the game as Trinity cruised to a 1-0 victory over recently relegated Collegians.

Huddersfield based Collegians arrived at the game with only ten men and as Trinity had recently beaten them 7-0 it was expected there'd be an avalanche of goals.  However this didn't prove to be the case.  Trinity took the lead early in the first half when good work involving Robbie Pearson and Matt Jordan presented  Travers with the chance of fishing from the edge of the six yard box.  He made no mistake, scoring his twenty-eighth goal of the season and putting Trinity 1-0 up.  After that Trinity couldn't add to their lead despite having the large majority of possession and creating a number of chances.  In fact the hard working Collegians could have scored themselves which may have been just reward for their effort.  Final score 1-0 to Trinity. 

Team:  Field; McIntyre, Priestley, Cameron-Riggon, McIntosh, Ryan, Mullowney, Mughal, Pearson, Jordan, Travers

Subs: Marston (for Mullowney), Curran (for Pearson), Kilsby (for Mughal)

League

Leeds University 3 Trinity 4

Stevie Travers came off the bench to score a late winner as Trinity beat Leeds University 4-3.

Leroy McIntosh opened the scoring for Trinity, passing into an unguarded goal after good work from Robbie Pearson to make it 1-0 to Trinity.  Jimmy Lindley levelled from the penalty spot for Leeds University to make it 1-1.

In the second half Ian Plant gave the University a 2-1 lead, with a well struck shot from outside of penalty area.  Matt Jordan equalised for Trinity when he turned the centre back in the penalty area before scoring from a tight angle to make it 2-2.  Trinity then took the lead.  After a some good build up play Jordan's low cross found Mark Ryan who tapped home from close range to make it 3-2.  Unfortunately for Trinity Rayon Maynard had to leave the field injured with twenty minutes left.  As Trinity had used both of their substitutes they were down to ten men for the rest of the game.  University midfielder Steve Sullivan equalised to make it 3-3.  Then with a few minutes left Travers scored the winner for Trinity, shooting into the roof of the net after following up a shot that had been saved.  Final score 4-3 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Jordan, Priestley, Maynard,  Curran, Ryan, Marston, Mughal, Pearson, McIntosh

Subs: McIntyre (for Marston), Travers (for Curran),

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield (Final)

Trinity  0 Bramley Juniors 2

Bramley Juniors beat Trinity 2-0 n the final of the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield at the home of Liversedge FC.  A headed goal in each half meant the recently crowned Senior B champions clinched the Shield, resulting in heartache for Trinity who lost their second final of the season.

Both defences appeared to be on top in a first half with limited goal scoring chances for both teams.  Stevie Travers shot wide after good approach work from Leroy McIntosh.  Rayon Maynard raced through the Bramley defence before firing over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.  However as the half progressed Bramley began to dominate possession and they came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.  Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates made an excellent save, diving to his right to prevent a close range shot from finding the net.  Just before half-time Bramley took the lead.  Forward Nathan Floyd headed the ball into the corner of the net after Trinity struggled to clear following a corner.

In the second half Bramley doubled their lead.  While challenging a Bramley forward after a cross from the left Trinity's Mark Ryan unfortunately saw his header drop into the bottom corner of his own net.  2-0 to Bramley. Trinity attempted to push players on in a bid to get back into the game but never seriously threatened the Bramley goalkeeper.  In the end Bramley finished as comfortable 2-0 winners.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Jordan, Priestley, Maynard, McIntosh, Ryan, Marston, Mughal, Pearson, Travers

Subs: Katoro (for Travers)

League

Collegians 0 Trinity 7

Stevie Travers bagged his second hat-trick in a week as Trinity thrashed Huddesfield side Collegians 7-0, to practically ensure they'll be playing Senior A football next season.  With such a superior goal difference to Collegians it would take an incredible sequence of results to relegate Trinity.

In a match billed as a tense relegation decider it proved anything but for Trinity as they took control of the game from the kick off.  Tom Marston timed his run to side foot the ball past the Collegians' keeper from just inside the penalty area, after a lay off from Robbie Pearson.  1-0 to Trinity.  Then Mark Ryan was brought down in the penalty area.  Travers tucked away the penalty to make it 2-0.  Travers tapped home Trinity's third goal after some good work down the left to make it 3-0.  Then Robbie Pearson got amongst the goals, expertly lobbing the keeper from twenty-five yards to make it 4-0.  Before half time Mark Ryan scored with a header following a Leroy McIntosh cross to make it 5-0.

Imran Mughal scored with a close range header midway through the second half, following a corner to make it 6-0.  Then Travers completed his hat-trick with another goal from close range after being teed up by Pearson.  This concluded the scoring in an emphatic 7-0 victory.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Jordan, Priestley, Maynard, McIntosh, Ryan, Marston, Mughal, Pearson, Travers

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

Terry Marflitt Trophy (Final)

Trinity 4 Gildersome Spurs 6

Stevie Travers scored a hat-trick but finished on the losing side, as Trinity lost a high scoring Terry Marflitt Trophy final 6-4 to Senior B side Gildersome Spurs.  In a final played at the home of Ealandians, Trinity managed to come back from being two goals behind in the first half but couldn't manage to repeat the same feat later in the game.

Though they started brightly Trinity conceded a goal within the first five minutes.  Leroy McIntosh lost possession in the penalty area and Gildersome midfielder Johnny Kitchen cracked a low shot into the net from eighteen yards out to give Gildersome a 1-0 lead.  Ten minutes later Gildersome doubled their lead.  Forward Matty Jackson was at the far post to fire home following a corner.  2-0 to Gildersome.  Travers scored his first of the evening from the penalty spot to make it 2-1, after a Gildersome defender had handled in the box.  However not long after Gildersome increased their lead when Jackson nipped in between Trinity defender Paul McIntyre and keeper Jimmy Yates to poke the ball home.  3-1.  On the half hour mark Travers scored his second of the game, heading home from close range to make it 3-2.  Then just before half-time he completed his hat-trick, hitting a fantastic volley into the net from close range to make it 3-3. 

Within five minutes of the second half Gildersome had regained their lead.  Kitchen struck an excellent shot into the top corner of the net from twenty yards to give Gildersome a 4-3 lead.  Shortly afterwards the lead was increased when forward Ben Keedy fired home from close range following a cross from the left.  5-3.  On the hour mark Trinity defender Tom Priestley smashed a low left foot shot past the Gildersome keeper to make it 5-4.   But Gildersome soon regained their two goal cushion.  Jackson scored his third goal of the evening with an excellent shot from twenty-five yards that found the top corner of the net.  6-4 to Gildersome.  Despite creating a few more chances Trinity couldn't find a way back as Gildersome claimed the Trophy, after losing the previous two finals. 

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, McIntyre, McIntosh, Mullowney, Ryan, Cameron-Riggon, Marston, Mughal, Travers

Subs: Maynard (for McIntyre), Katoro (for Mullowney), Pearson (for Jordan)

League

Trinity 3 Heckmondwike 1

Stevie Travers twentieth goal of the season secured victory for Trinity over championship challengers Heckmondwike.  Leroy McIntosh was also on target as Trinity warmed up for Wednesday's Terry Marflitt Trophy final with a 3-1 win.

Trinity took the lead early in the first half.  Tom Marston's throw in was flicked into McIntosh's path by a Heckmondwike defender.  From close range the unmarked McIntosh made no mistake, tapping the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to Trinity.  Marcus Cameron-Riggon nearly doubled Trinity's lead with a flying diving header following a Marston free-kick.  However his effort went narrowly wide.  Heckmondwike then went close when their forward struck the underside of he bar with a shot from ten yards.  Fortunately for Trinity it bounced into the arms of Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates.  Half-time score 1-0 to Trinity.

In the second half Trinity doubled their lead.  A long punt from Yates was diverted over the advancing Heckmondwike keeper and into the net by the head of his team mate. 2-0.  Heckmondwike then came close to scoring when a header hit the inside of the post and again dropped kindly into the arms of Trinity keeper Yates.  However they did mange to cut the deficit shortly afterwards.  Heckmondwike forward Adam Clayton advanced in the penalty area and his low shot, while pressured by a couple of Trinity defenders, found the bottom corner of the net.  2-1.   Trinity's defence then proved to be resolute as championship chasing Heckmondwike pushed on in search of an equaliser.  Then Travers calmed Trinity's nerves with a goal five minutes from the end.  Racing onto a Marston through ball his inch perfect lob from twenty-five yards beat the advancing keeper and found the back of the net.  3-1 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, McIntyre, McIntosh, Mullowney, Ryan, Cameron-Riggon, Marston, Mughal, Travers

Subs: Maynard (for Mughal)

League

Trinity 3 Stanningley 2

Tom Marston's superb second half strike proved to be the winner as Trinity narrowly beat bottom of the table Stanningley 3-2.  The victory meant they moved out of the bottom two on goal difference.

Stanningley took an early lead in the first half, when one of their players ran through midfield before setting up his team mate who shot high into the net from just inside the penalty area.  Trinity equalised shortly afterwards when Robbie Pearson ran on a ball on the left and coolly stroked the ball past the opposition keeper.  1-1.  Stevie Travers had a golden chance to give Trinity the lead when Stanningley's goalkeeper presented him with the ball ten yards from goal.  However with too much time on his hands his shot went wide.  Then Stanningley took the lead with a header from eight yards out.  2-1 to Stanningley.  Trinity were given a lifeline before half-time when they were awarded a penalty when a Stanningley defender accidently handled the ball in his penalty area.  Travers atoned for his earlier miss expertly putting his penalty into the back of the net.  2-2 the half-time score.

Marston's winner came in the second half.  His well driven right foot shot from twenty-five yards found the top corner of the net to give Trinity a 3-2 lead.  Stanningley had a defender sent off for a second bookable offence after he fouled Travers from behind.  Trinity had a couple of other chances to extend their lead but they couldn't take them.  However they did mange to hold on to gain an important three points in their battle to beat the drop.  Final score 3-2 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Mughal, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Katoro, Travers

Subs: Marston (for Gardiner), Lambert (for Cameron-Riggon), Curran (for Pearson)

League

Old Rovers 2 Trinity 1

Mark Ryan was on target for the second successive game but Trinity lost 2-1 in their relegation battle with Old Rovers.

Trinity were largely on top in the first half without creating many chances.  They took the lead when a low shot from Ryan from the edge of the area beat Rovers keeper Sabberton, making it 1-0.

Old Rovers were on top for the early stages of the second half.  Their half-time substitution proved to be inspired as the replacement left-back's long-throwing ability proved to pose Trinity a big threat.  One such throw resulted in the equalising goal.  Mark Ryan's goal line clearance struck the head of Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates and went back into the net.  1-1.  Trinity pressed forward and created a number of chances but it was Old Rovers who took the lead with ten minutes left.  Jamel Mankouri's miscued shot struck the head of team mate Paul Dodd and diverted into the net to make it 2-1.  Trinity created a few clear openings but failed to convert them.  Leroy McIntosh twice blazed wide when confronted with just the keeper.  Marcus Cameron-Riggon poked the ball just wide of the post when clear on the edge of the area and Robbie Pearson had a close range shot well saved.  2-1 to Old Rovers the final score.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Jordan, Mughal, McIntosh, Mullowney, Gardiner, Ryan, Marston, Katoro, Williams

Subs: Pearson (for Katoro)

League

Yorkshire Bank 0 Trinity 2

Lutel Williams and Mark Ryan were on target as Trinity beat last season's Senior A champions Yorkshire Bank 2-0, the first time they've beaten Yorkshire Bank since being promoted to Senior A in 2004/05.  In doing so they also ended a run of eleven games without a league win, a run stretching back to October when they beat Stanningley 4-2 in their third league game of the season. 

Trinity opened the scoring in the first minute when Williams scored his first goal for the club, crashing the ball low past Bank keeper Gareth Huxhall after a good move involving Leroy McIntosh and Stevie Travers. 1-0 to Trinity.  For the rest of the half both keepers were barely tested as both defences were on top in  well fought out battle.

The second half continued in much the same way as the first half with chances at a premium.  Williams had a glorious chance to double his tally and Trinity's lead.  However his first time shot from five yards following a McIntosh cross went wide.  With eighteen to go Williams was sent off after he was involved in a tangle with the Bank left back, who went down theatrically after being caught in the head by Williams' hand as he was chasing the ball.  Thankfully the left-back soon recovered, within seconds in fact, to play a full part in the remainder of the game.  Trinity were now on the back foot with only ten men.  However the Bank failed to create any clear cut chances and it was Trinity who looked more dangerous on the break.  Following one such break they doubled their lead.  Chris Gardiner found Mark Ryan in the penalty area who turned and shot past Huxhall with his right foot to make it 2-0.  Five minutes later the final whistle was blown with Trinity earning a valable three points in their battle against relegation.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Mughal, McIntyre, McIntosh, Mullowney, Marston, Ryan, Pearson, Travers, Williams

Subs: Gardiner (for Travers)

League

Trinity 1 Leeds University 1

Tom Marston equalised for Trinity with a free-kick as Trinity earned another point in their battle for Senior A survival with a 1-1 draw against Leeds University.  After a goalless first half Leeds University took the lead.  Danny Royston's first time shot from the edge of the area flew into the bottom corner of the net to make it1-0 to the away side.  Marston's equalising free-kick took a slight deflection before beating the keeper, to make it 1-1.  Both teams had chances to add to the score.  Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates was forced to make a couple of fantastic saves.  Marston had a low shot from the edge of the area saved and a late free kick that went narrowly wide.

Team:  Yates; Mullowney, Mughal, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Ryan, Gardiner, Marston, Travers, Katoro

Subs: McIntyre (for Maynard)

League

Trinity 0 Heckmondwike 3

Adam Clayton scored two and set up another as Heckmondwike kept up their challenge for the Senior A title with a 3-0 victory over Trinity.

After a bright start the young Heckmondwike side took the lead early in the first half.  Clayton scored his first of the game heading home from close range, following a free-kick.  1-0 to Heckmondwike

Early in the second half Heckmondwike doubled their lead when Clayton scored a penalty, after Tom Marston had made a rash challenge in the penalty area.  Despite playing good football at times Trinity rarely threatened the Heckmondwike goalkeeper and it was Heckmondwike who scored again in the closing stages.  Clayton beat a couple of Trinity players  before driving a low shot at goal.  Yates could only divert the shot into the path of the oncoming forward Michael Padgett who tapped the ball home from close range.  3-0 to Heckmondwike, a result which means Trinity have now gone ten games without a league win and are still firmly in the relegation zone.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Jordan, Mughal, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Ryan, Gardiner, Pearson, Travers

Subs: Marston (for McIntyre), Mullowney (for Maynard)

League

Trinity 3 Yorkshire Bank 3

Stevie Travers scored two goals as Trinity fought back to earn a 3-3 draw with last season's Senior A champions Yorkshire Bank.  Leroy McIntosh was also on target as Trinity earned a valuable point in their fight against relegation.

In a competitive first half there were few goal scoring chances for both teams.  Robbie Pearson shot straight at the keeper after running onto a though ball.  Travers headed wide from three yards out after a cross from the left.  He then got brought down as he raced through down the middle resulting in a booking for the Yorkshire Bank left back.  As half-time approached Yorkshire Bank took the lead.  The ball was flicked to the back post where forward Andy Hartley rose to head over Lee Field in the Trinity goal.  1-0 to Yorkshire Bank.

The away side extended their led early in the second half.  Despite having opportunities Trinity failed to clear the ball from their penalty area.  Midfielder Richard McGough fired low into the net from six yards after the ball had been cut back to him.  2-0.  Trinity fought back.  Travers scored his first of the game to make it 2-1,  tuning and volleying home from ten yards after teeing himself up with a good first touch.  However straight from the restart the Bank scored again.  A long ball forward found the Trinity defence napping.  Hartley raced through and hit a low left foot shot past the despairing dive of Field to make it 3-1.  With twenty minutes to go Trinity cut the deficit again.  The Bank's goalkeeper fumbled a well driven shot from McIntosh.  Travers was following up to ram the loose ball into the net.  3-2.  Trinity kept up their momentum and were rewarded with an equaliser with six minutes to go.  Pearson, who'd been a constant threat throughout the game, beat the right back before sending a low cross across the face of the goal.  McIntosh slid in a the far post to turn the ball into the net.  3-3, the final score.  With both teams desperately needing three points the draw wasn't a good result for either team.  However the point earned could prove to be vital for both sides come the end of the season.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Williams, Mughal, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Ryan, Gardiner, Pearson, Travers

Subs: Mullowney (for Williams)

League

Trinity 1 Ealandians 4

Ealandians extended their lead at the top of Senior A to six points as they defeated Trinity 4-1.  With Collegians beating bottom side Stanningley it means Trinity are four points adrift of the third from bottom spot. 

Trinity started the game brightly but found themselves 2-0 down when they conceded two goals from two set pieces midway through the first half.  The first goal was headed home by Ealandians midfielder Sanjin Bajgoric following a free kick on the left.  Then a few minutes later a corner from the right was headed into the goal by James Parkinson.  Trinity continued to play good football but on the stroke of half-time they conceded a third.  Ealandians' forward Ryan Klemp raced on to a through ball and delicately lobbed Jimmy Yates to make it 3-0.

In the second half the away side extended their lead further when left back Ben Whiteley scored direct from a free-kick to make it 4-0.  The game then opened up with Trinity trying to force their way back and Ealandians creating chances on the break.  With a few minutes remaining Trinity grabbed a consolation.  Following a corner Imran Mughal poked the ball home from close range after his header was blocked.  4-1.  Despite playing well for large periods of the game Trinity ended the game disappointed by a result which leaves them firmly in the bottom two of Senior A. 

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Mullowney, Mughal, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Ryan, Gardiner, Pearson, Cameron-Riggon

Subs: Curran (for McIntyre)

League

Trinity 1 Huddersfield Amateurs 1

Stevie Travers scored a late equaliser to earn Trinity the share of the points against Huddersfield Amateurs.  However with Collegians surprisingly defeating Heckmondwike Trinity slipped to second from bottom in the table.

Trinity struggled to make the most of the wind advantage in the first half as the visitors looked the better side in the first half.  Rayon Maynard nearly scored for Trinity when he went past the keeper with the ball but his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.  Travers headed wide from close range as the first half finished goalless.

Better football was played by Trinity at the start of the second half but they went behind to an Abdul Asghar goal.  His ambitious overhead kick looped overhead Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal to give the away side a 1-0 lead.  Trinity pushed on in a bid to grab an equaliser.  The industrious Mark Ryan crashed a shot over the bar after making room for himself inside the area.  Chris Binks nearly scored a second for the Huddersfield side when he volleyed over the bar from close range following an Asghar cross.  Trinity did force an equlaiser late in the game following a good move down the right.  Chris Gardiner's squeezed a pass to Marcus Cameron-Riggon whose low cross found Travers two yards from goal.  He made no mistake in finishing to make it 1-1.  The final whistle went shortly afterwards to signal a draw.  Trinity, who will feel they should have won, have now gone seven league games without a win which is their worst run since the 2000/01 season.  That season they were relegated from Senior A.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Jordan, Priestley, Ryan, Pearson, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Mughal, Maynard, Travers 

Subs: Mullowney (for Jordan)

League

FC Headingley 2 Trinity 1

Marcus Cameron-Riggon scored a contender for goal of the season but despite taking the lead Trinity lost 2-1 at FC Headingley.  The defeat means Trinity are without a win in their last six league games, their worst run since the 2002/03 season, which is in stark contrast to their excellent form in the cups.

Trinity took the lead against the run of play in the first half.  Robbie Pearson hit a cross field diagonal ball which fell into the path of Cameron-Riggon, twenty yards from goal to the right of the penalty area.  He let the ball bounce once before cracking an excellent shot which dipped over the keeper and into the roof of the net.  1-0 to Trinity.  FC Headingley pushed forward but found Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal in top form as he pulled off a couple of excellent saves.  They even had two penalty claims turned down as they went in search of their equaliser.  Wide men Pearson and Leroy McIntosh were Trinity's biggest threats as they constantly got behind the FC Headingley defence.  However Trinity couldn't add to their tally.

In the second half FC Headingley took greater control of the game but Yates continued to be unbeatable in Trinity's goal.  On the hour mark FC Headingley grabbed an equaliser when Matt Raw found the corner of the net with a low shot from inside the area.  1-1.  They then scored a second when forward John Alsop crashed the ball into the net from close range in a goalmouth scramble following a corner.  Yates had again made an excellent stop prior to the goal.  2-1 to FC Headingley.  Trinity couldn't force any more attacks as FC Headingley comfortably held on to their lead to secure victory. 

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Ryan, Priestley, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Mughal, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Mullowney (for McIntosh)

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield (Semi Final)

Trinity 1 Wheelwright 0 (after extra time)

Robbie Pearson scored winner as Trinity progressed to their second final of the season with a 1-0 win over Wheelwright in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield. 

Playing at the home of Huddersfield Amateurs the game proved to be a tight affair with Division Two side Wheelwright proving to be tough opposition.  Trinity did have a five minute spell in the game where they created a few chances, but were unable to convert them.  Wheelwright also had the occasional chance to take the lead.  However the game remained goalless at the end of ninety minutes, meaning extra time.

Extra time looked to be going the same way as the preceding ninety minutes until Trinity broke away five minutes from the end.  A quick flowing move resulting in Leroy McIntosh skipping past a Wheelwright defender before playing the ball across the penalty area to the unmarked Pearson.  He coolly stroked the ball into the net to give Trinity a 1-0 lead, which they held to progress to their second final of the season.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Ryan, Kilsby, Maynard, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Marston, Mughal, McIntosh, Travers 

Subs: Pearson (for Kilsby)

Leeds & District Senior Cup (Quarter Final)

Leeds Medics 3 Trinity 1

Trinity went out of this season's Leeds & District Senior Cup at the quarter final stage, going down 3-1 at Senior A rivals Leeds Medics.

Darren Griffiths gave Medics the lead in the first half.  A mix up involving keeper Lee Field and Dave Kilsby left Griffiths with the simple task of slotting the ball into an unguarded net from close range.  1-0 to Medics which is how the first half ended.

Despite creating chances it was never going to be Trinity's day as Richard Robinson and Steve Ross added to the Medics goal tally, giving them a 3-0 lead.  Trinity had the consolation of scoring the best goal of the game.  Leroy McIntosh's left foot volley from the edge of the area made the score 3-1.  However it was Leeds Medics who progressed to the semi-final where they will play Farsley Celtic Reserves.

Team:  Field; Jordan, Ryan, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Marston, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Mughal (for Maynard)

League

Leeds Medics 2 Trinity 2

Stevie Travers and Chris Gardiner got a goal apiece as Trinity drew 2-2 with Leeds Medics in the league, in the second of three successive games against their Senior A rivals.

Leeds Medics made the early running and they took the lead midway through the first half. Midfielder James White struck a low twenty yard shot into the corner of the net after the ball fell to him following a free-kick.  1-0 to the Medics.   Trinity got back into the game and grabbed an equaliser before half-time.  A Gardiner through ball found Robbie Pearson on the left.  His cross found Travers who headed home from six yards to make it 1-1.

Trinity dominated the early stages of the second half and it was no surprise when they took the lead.  Pearson pulled the ball back to Gardiner on the edge of the area.  Gardiner's first time strike found the bottom corner of the net.  2-1 to Trinity.  Trinity continued to create chances but they couldn't increase their lead.  Mughal and Cameron-Riggon failed to convert two of the better chances.  With a minute to go the Medics punished Trinity for their finishing inadequacies by grabbing an equaliser.  James White scored his second of the game, heading in following a corner to make the final score 2-2.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Ryan, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Marston, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Jordan (for McIntyre), Mughal (for Travers)

Terry Marflitt Trophy (Semi Final)

Trinity 1 Leeds Medics 0

Tom Marston scored the winner as Trinity progressed to the final of the Terry Marflitt Trophy with a 1-0 victory over Senior A rivals Leeds Medics.

After the venue had been changed on the morning of the match to Fearnville, home of Leeds Medics reserve teams, both teams set out to win a place in the final of the Terry Marflitt Trophy.  The first half was very tight with both defences coming out on top and few chances being created.  0-0 was the half-time score.

The second half appeared to be equally as tight until Marston stepped up to take a free-kick twenty-five yards form goal, midway through the half.  His well-struck shot bent into the top left hand corner of the net to give Trinity a 1-0 lead.  With a couple of minutes to go Medics midfielder James White headed past Yates in the Trinity goal, only for defender Paul McIntyre to turn the ball to safety.  Trinity hung on to reach the final of a competition that they won in 1981, when Trinity legends such as Andy Lowe and Joe Collucio took home the Trophy that year.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Ryan, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Cameron-Riggon, Gardiner, Marston, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Jordan (for Cameron-Riggon)

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield (Quarter Final)

Roundhegians 1 Trinity 2

Imran Mughal scored two goals against his old club Roundhegians to put Trinity into their second cup semi-final of the season, with a 2-1 victory.

Though they were officially the away team Trinity gained home advantage af the game was switched to St Theresa's due to a waterlogged pitch in Roundhay.  Trinity opened the scoring in the first half.  Marcus Cameron-Riggon passed to the overlapping Paul McIntyre on the right.  While the Roundhegians' left back was momentarily distracted by another ball that was played onto the pitch from an adjacent game, McIntyre remained focussed and sent a low cross into the six yard box.  Mughal arrived to tap the ball past the keeper, giving Trinity a 1-0 lead.

In the second half Mughal increased Trinity's lead.  Rayon Maynard made an excellent run with the ball down the left before crossing low to Mughal, who finished again from close range to make it 2-0.  Trinity's other ex-Roundhegians' player Tom Marston then tried to get in on the action against his old club with an attempted bicycle kick from forty yards out.  However though his attempt looked dramatic the end product was a ball that flew around sixty foot in the air and nowhere near the opposition goal.  Roundhegians grabbed a late goal to make the last two minutes of the game interesting.  A corner found Mark Hutchinson at the far post who scored to make it 2-1.  Trinity hung on to reach the semi-final, where they will face Wheelwright from Division Two.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, Cameron-Riggon, Ryan, Gardiner, Marston, Pearson, Mughal Travers 

Subs: Jordan (for Priestley), Travers (for Maynard), Stapleton (for Marston)

League

Trinity 2 St Nicholas 3

Trinity came back from being two goals down only to concede a late penalty as they were beaten by St Nicholas 3-2.  Stevie Travers and Tom Marston got the goals for Trinity.

Within a minute St Nicholas had scored.  Imran Mughal was adjudged to have fouled a St Nicholas player in the penalty area.  A penalty was awarded and David Hames converted it to make it 1-0 to the visitors.  Then St Nicholas scored again.  Their right winger cut in from the right and sent a low shot past Yates to make it 2-0.  Before half-time Trinity had narrowed the deficit.  Marston's shot was saved by the keeper but Travers was following up to put away the rebound.  2-1.

In the second half Marston equalised for Trinity, robbing the right back on the edge of the area before lobbing the keeper to make it 2-2. Surely after coming back from two goals down there was only going to be one winner.  Unfortunately Trinity couldn't add to their tally and it was St Nicholas who went away with the three points after scoring a late winner.  A long ball caused confusion in the Trinity defence.  Keeper Jimmy Yates went down at the feet of the oncoming St Nicholas forward and appeared to divert the ball away for a corner as the forward tumbled over him.  However the referee felt a foul had been committed and pointed to the spot.  Second penalty of the game awarded and converted by Hames.  3-2 to St Nicholas.  Though Mark Ryan and Marcus Cameron-Riggon both had late chances to equalise 3-2 was how the game ended.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Ryan, Mughal, Gardiner, Marston, Travers 

Subs: 

League

Ealandians 6 Trinity 4

Despite scoring four goals away from home Trinity were still beaten by top of the table Ealandians, as Trinity's new year started with a 6-4 defeat. 

After Trinity had dominated the first fifteen minutes of the game Ealandians took the lead through James Parkinson, who calmly slotting home after chasing onto a through ball.  Trinity equalised shortly afterwards.  Stevie Travers poked the ball past the keeper following a Mark Ryan through ball to make it 1-1.  Glyn Haley put Ealandians 2-1 up finishing from close range after a low cross.  Then Tom Marston equalised for Trinity with a great strike from thirty yards to make it 2-2.  Trinity then had a goal controversially disallowed for offside before Ealandians regained the lead before half-time.  Haley scored his second to give the home side a 3-2 lead.

Trinity came out strongly in the second half but it was the home side who scored the next goal.  Ryan Klemp's long range shot took a deflection and finished in the bottom corner to make it 4-2. Trinity narrowed the deficit through Dave Kilsby, who turned in Marston's cross following a quick free-kick to make it 4-3.  Ealandians then added two more goals through Haley, who finished the game with four goals to his name, to make it 6-3.  Trinity then scored a late consolation through Imran Mughal, whose header deflected past the keeper to make the final score 6-4.  This was the first time conceded more than four goals in a game since being thrashed 7-0 by Batelians in November 2003 when they were in Senior B. 

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Ryan, Mughal, Gardiner, Marston, Travers 

Subs: McIntyre (for Maynard)

Terry Marflitt Trophy (Quarter Final)

Heckmondwike 2 Trinity 4

Stevie Travers led the way for Trinity, scoring in for the seventh consecutive game, as Trinity recorded an excellent 4-2 victory over Heckmondwike in the quarter final of the Terry Marflitt Trophy.

Matt Jordan set up Trinity's first goal, when his hooked clearance found it's way past the Heckmondwike's defence.  Travers ran onto it and scored to make it 1-0.  The lead was doubled after fifteen minutes.  Tom Marston made an excellent run, beating three players before laying the ball off to Leroy McIntosh on the left hand side of the penalty area.  He cut inside and shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.  The home side narrowed the deficit when Olly Fisher was first to a rebound after a shot from outside the area was saved by Jimmy Yates.  Fisher slotted home to make it 2-1.  Marston then made it 3-1 when he robbed the keeper of the ball before tapping the ball into the unguarded net.  However just before half-time Heckmondwike again narrowed the deficit.  This time the unmarked Lee Battye headed home at the far post following a free kick.

The second half saw Trinity defend resolutely in a bid to preserve their lead.  Jimmy Yates who had made an excellent one-on-one save in the first half was called on to do the same in the second half.  With only a couple of minutes remaining Marcus Cameron-Riggon turned a full-back near the corner flag and cut inside before beating the keeper at the near post with a low shot.  4-2 to Trinity with the prize being a place in the semi-final.

Team:  Yates; Jordan , Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, Cameron-Riggon, Marston, Mughal, Gardiner, McIntosh, Travers 

Subs: McIntyre (for Jordan)

League

Hudderfield Amateurs 2 Trinity 1

Two early goals for Huddersfield Amateurs helped the home side to victory.  Despite scoring early in the second half through Stevie Travers, Trinity went down 2-1.

Within twenty minutes of the kick-off Trinity found themselves two goals down.  Danny Logan scored the first for Huddersfield Amateurs chipping the ball over the advancing Trinity keeper Jimmy Yates, after running onto a through ball.   1-0.  Paul Cornthwaite made it 2-0 when he headed in at the far post following a free-kick.

Trinity's second half was much better and they created a number of chances in a bid to get back into the game.  Travers scored for Trinity early in the second half, curling the ball past the keeper from just inside the penalty area.  However no further goals were scored as Trinity left Huddersfield with nothing to show for their efforts.

Team:  Yates; Cameron-Riggon, Priestley, Mughal, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Kilsby (for Pearson)

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield (Second Round)

Trinity 2 Kinnersley 1 (after extra time)

Stevie Travers scored a late extra time winner as Trinity advanced to the quarter final stages of the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield.  Robbie Pearson had scored the opening goal in this 2-1 victory over Hull side Kinnersley.

Playing against the elements in the first half Trinity created a couple of early chances.  However their keeper Mickey Piggott made the save of the half when he turned a close range header over the bar.

Pearson opened the scoring for Trinity early in the second half.  Racing onto a Travers through ball he neatly placed the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 1-0.  Trinity had further chances to increase their lead.  Travers headed against the post from close range and Tom Marston's follow up shot went just wide of the post.  Pearson had an opportunity to score his second when he cut in from the left but he chipped the ball tamely into the hands of the keeper.  With five minutes to go and Kinnersley pressing for an equaliser it looked as though the Trinity defence would hold out.  However while trying to play the Kinnersley forwards offside a couple of the Trinity defenders played them on.  The result was a couple of Kinnersley players were left unmarked in front of goal.  One of them tucked the ball past Piggott to make it 1-1, forcing extra time.

Kinnersley appeared to be the stronger side in extra time and it looked as though Trinity's best hope would be penalties, as it was in the previous round.  Then with three minutes to go Leroy McIntosh broke through down the right.  His cross looked over hit but Pearson was first to collect it.  Showing quick feet he beat the full back before cutting the ball back to Travers.  From six yards out he made no mistake as he slotted the ball home, courtesy of a deflection.  2-1 to Trinity and the final whistle went shortly afterwards.

Team:  Piggott; Cameron-Riggon, Priestley, Mughal, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: McIntyre (for Marston)

Leeds & District Senior Cup (Second Round)

Trinity 6 St Nicholas 0 

Stevie Travers scored a hat-trick of penalties as Trinity cruised into the quarter finals of the Leeds & District Senior Cup with a convincing 6-0 victory over Senior A rivals St Nicholas.

Within the first ten minutes of the game Trinity took the lead.  Travers tucked away the first of his penalties after a St Nicholas defender handled the ball in the penalty area, to make it 1-0.  On the half hour Travers was brought down in the box while attempting to shoot.  He got up to score his second penalty of the game.  2-0.

Shortly into the second half Travers was pulled back in the opposition penalty area.  On this occasion he blasted the resulting penalty over the bar.  This reprieve for St Nicholas was only temporary as shortly afterwards Trinity scored their third goal.  In a similar fashion to the previous week Tom Marston's well struck free-kick forty yards from goal sailed over the keeper into the roof of the net, making it 3-0.  If that goal was fortunate the next was superb.  Collecting the ball thirty yards from goal Marston hit a spectacular shot into the roof of the net to score his second of the game, making it 4-0.  With St Nicholas crumbling Travers was brought down again in the penalty area.  The offending player was sent off for his abusive protests.  The delay didn't affect Travers who made no mistake this time, scoring his third penalty of the game and in the process making it 5-0.  Trinity sealed their victory when a low Marston cross was turned into the net by the unfortunate St Nicholas right back.  Final score 6-0.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Cameron-Riggon, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: McIntyre (for McIntosh)

Terry Marflitt Trophy (Third Round)

Trinity 3 Wortley 1 

Three second half goals saw Trinity through to the quarter finals of the Terry Marflitt Trophy, as they beat Senior B side Wortley 3-1.  In the next round they'll meet Heckmondwike.

Playing against a strong wind in the first half Trinity held out a young, vibrant Wortley side.  Though Wortley did have two goals disallowed by the referee, they both looked well offside.  

Stevie Travers opened the scoring early in the second half, scoring in his third consecutive game.  Latching onto a deflected through ball he beat the last defender before passing the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.  1-0.  Dave Thirlow equalised for Wortley.  With Trinity slow to close him down he had space to drill a low shot from the edge of the area past Yates, to make it 1-1.  Trinity regained the lead in fortuitous fashion.  Tom Marston's well driven free-kick from forty yards out flew over the keeper and into the nest, aided by the strong wind.  2-1.  Robbie Pearson wrapped up the game for Trinity, blasting the ball past the keeper after cutting in from the left.  3-1, a result which saw Trinity into the next round of the competition.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Cameron-Riggon (for McIntosh)

League

Trinity 1 Leeds Medics 3

Trinity's unbeaten start to the season came to an end, as Leeds Medics came back from behind to win 3-1.

After scoring two penalties in the previous game against Stanningley, Stevie Travers was called upon to take an early penalty after the referee spotted Dave Kilsby's shirt being pulled in the Medics' penalty area.  Travers duly stepped up and made no mistake to give Trinity an early 1-0 lead. Seemingly looking comfortable Trinity then conceded a sloppy goal.  Richard Robinson, a regular scorer against Trinity in the past, hit a weak low shot.  Yates in the Trinity goal appeared to be guiding the ball wide of the post but seemingly misjudged it as it crept into the corner of the net.  1-1.  Trinity whose best threat was from corners had opportunities to score before half-time.  Tom Priestly had a couple of close range chances following corners but failed to hit the target.  Tom Marston had a shot that flashed wide.

Medics took the lead early in the second half.  Forward Darren Griffiths made room for himself just outside the box, before hitting a left foot shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.  They increased their lead shortly afterwards.  Robinson scored his second of the game, finishing from just inside the penalty area after holding off a Matt Jordan challenge.  Trinity tried to step up a gear and managed to create a few half chances.  However Medics held firm to inflict Trinity's first defeat of the season.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, McIntyre, Marston, Mughal, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Maynard (for McIntyre), McIntosh (for Marston)

League

Stanningley 2 Trinity 3 

Stevie Travers scored two first half penalties as Trinity beat old rivals Stanningley 3-2, to sustain their unbeaten start to the season.

Stanningley scored the opening goal of the game.  A cross was headed in my an unmarked forward to put the home side 1-0 up.  Trinity's equaliser came courtesy of the penalty spot after a Stanningley defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in his penalty area.  Travers duly converted the penalty to make it 1-1.  Imran Mughal made it 2-1, finishing from close range after a well worked move involving Travers and Robbie Pearson.  The referee awarded the second penalty of the game before half-time, when a Stanningley defender appeared to jump at Tom Priestley.  Travers stepped up to score his second penalty to make it 3-1.

In the second half Trinity's defence held firm up until the last minute of the game.  Paul McIntyre brought down a Stanningley player in the penalty area to concede a penalty, which was converted to make the final score 3-2.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Mughal, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Marston (for Mughal), McIntyre (for Maynard

Leeds & District Senior Cup (First Round)

Yorkshire Amateurs Reserves 0 Trinity 1 

Dave Kilsby's first half goal proved enough for Trinity, as they progressed to the second round of the Leeds & District Senior Cup with a 1-0 victory over Yorkshire Amateurs Reserves.  

Due to their home pitch being unavailable Yorkshire Amateurs were forced to play their home tie at Trinity, giving Trinity the benefit of home advantage.  Kilsby dealt the 'killer' blow in the first half, finishing from a tight angle from close range after a goal mouth scramble.  1-0 to Trinity.

Defensive domination was the theme in the second half.  Trinity's back four comfortably coped with everything the Ammers threw at them, to the extent that Jimmy Yates in the Trinity goal was only required to take the odd goal kick.  Going forward Trinity managed to create three good second half chances.  Tom Marston hit the bar.  Leroy McIntosh missed a good headed chance from close range and Rayon Maynard ventured forward to have a shot well saved by the keeper.  By not scoring a second goal the last ten minutes proved to be tense but Trinity hung on to progress to the next round.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Mughal

Subs: Travers (for Marston)

Terry Marflitt Trophy (First Round)

Trinity 4 Agnes Stewart 2

Imran Mughal grabbed two goals as Trinity beat Division Two side Agnes Stewart to progress to the second round of the Terry Marflitt Trophy.

Stevie Travers opened the scoring for Trinity in the first half, with a good finish following a Chris Gardiner through ball to make it 1-0.  Mughal scored his first of the game, doubling Trinity's lead with a thundering near post header from a Tom Marston corner.  2-0.  Before half-time Trinity extended their lead even further.  After a goalmouth scramble an Agnes Stewart crashed the ball into his own net, much to the hilarity of his team mates.  3-0 to Trinity at half-time.  Seemingly game over.

However the Division two side launched a comeback in the second half.  After a long ball was headed on an Agnes Stewart winger was first to the ball, poking it past Trinity keeper Yates to make it 3-1.  Then Rayon Maynard directed a bullet header into the far corner of the net.  Unfortunately it was his own net much to Trinity's disbelief.  3-2.  Agnes Stewart felt they were on the verge of a surprise comeback but then Mughal scored his second of the game to clinch the game for Trinity.  He tapped the ball into the unguarded net following a mix up between the Agnes Stewart goalkeeper and his defending team mate.  4-2.  Not a vintage Trinity performance but enough to put them through to the next round.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Jordan, Kilsby, Maynard, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Mughal, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: McIntosh (for Marston), Ward (for Mughal)

League

Trinity 1 Old Rovers 1

Robbie Pearson scored his fifth goal of the season but Trinity were held to a 1-1 draw by Old Rovers.  Pearson opened the scoring for Trinity in the first half when he flicked a Chris Gardiner cross over the keeper with his head, to make it 1-0.  In the second half Trinity conceded a penalty when Danny Ward was adjudged to have pushed an Old Rovers player in the penalty area.  Jamel Mankouri coolly stroked the ball home to earn the visitors a share of the points.  1-1.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Ward, Pearson, Mughal 

Subs: McIntyre (for Ward)

Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield (First Round)

Gildersome Spurs 2 Trinity 2 (after extra time, 7-6 to Trinity on pens)

Rayon Maynard scored the winning penalty as Trinity won an epic cup tie on penalties to proceed to the second round of the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield.  The first half saw few chances though Senior B side Gildersome Spurs slightly dominated in terms of territory.

Robbie Pearson opened the scoring for Trinity early in the second half.  Running onto Tom Marston's through ball he rounded the keeper before slotting his fourth goal of the season, putting Trinity 1-0 up.  Shortly afterwards Tom Priestley rose high in the six yard box to head home following a corner.  2-0 to Trinity.  Gildersome have a reputation as a strong cup team and they proved it with their fight back.  Ben Keedy tapped the ball in on the goal line following good play from Matty Jackson to make it 2-1.  With a minute to go it looked like Trinity were going to hold onto their lead but then Jackson was brought down in the penalty area by Paul McIntyre.  Lee Thrush scored the resulting penalty to make it 2-2 and force extra time.

Extra time came and went without a goal meaning the game was to be decided on penalties.  After eight penalties each the score was six apiece.  Travers, Mughal, Jordan, Priestley, Pearson and McIntyre had all converted for Trinity.  Marston and Gardiner had unfortunately seen their penalties saved.  Gildersome's ninth penalty was then missed by their goalkeeper, who struck the bar, leaving Maynard with the task of winning the tie for Trinity.  He duly succeeded and Trinity went through to the next round of the competition.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Jordan, Priestley, Maynard, McIntosh, Ward, Gardiner, Mughal, Pearson, Marston 

Subs: Travers (for Ward), Mullowney (for McIntosh)

Terry Marflitt Trophy (Preliminary Round)

Trinity 4 Thornesians 2 (after extra time)

Chris Gardiner led the fight back as Trinity recovered from two goals down to beat Division One side Thornesians 4-2 after extra time.  Trinity who had thrashed Thornesians 9-1 in the Yorkshire Old Boys' Shield last season, fell behind to an early goal.  A corner was punched clear by Jimmy Yates only to be returned into the penalty area where Thornesians player Paul Warren was first to the ball to poke it home.  This put the visitors 1-0 up which was how the first half finished.

In the second half Thornesians doubled their lead when a corner was flicked in by Gareth Hill at the near post to make it 2-0.  Trinity had to step up several gears otherwise they'd be victims of a massive cup shock.  It appeared it wasn't going to be their day as despite having the majority of possession they seemingly couldn't convert any of their chances.  Then the break-through arrived.  A wayward shot from Dave Kilsby found the feet of Gardiner near the corner flag on the right hand side of the penalty area.  Gardiner's cross flew over the keeper and into the net to narrow the deficit to 2-1. Stevie Travers grabbed the equaliser for Trinity when he slotted past the keeper from close range, after Imran Mughal flicked on Tom Marston's long throw.  2-2 was the full-time score meaning extra-time.

Leroy McIntosh gave Trinity the lead in the second period of extra-time.  He coolly flicked the ball past the keeper, before passing the ball into the net to put Trinity 3-2 up.  Danny Ward wrapped up the game for Trinity, coming off the bench to score from close range to make the score 4-2.

Team:  Yates; Jordan, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Mughal, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: McIntyre (for Kilsby), Ward (for Travers)

League

St Nicholas 1 Trinity 5

Robbie Pearson scored a hat-trick as Trinity started the season in excellent style with a 5-1 victory over St Nicholas.  He scored his first in the opening minutes of the game, following up after a Stevie Travers shot hit the post to make it 1-0.  Then latching onto a Tom Marston through ball Pearson smashed the ball past the keeper from inside the box to double Trinity's lead.  Gary O'Driscoll replied for St Nicholas shortly before the interval to make the half-time score 2-1.

In the second half Trinity began to reassert themselves.  When Marston was brought down in the penalty area, with twenty minutes remaining, Chris Gardiner scored the resulting penalty to make it 3-1.  Shortly after Marston was brought down in the penalty area again.  This time Pearson was given the opportunity to clinch his hat-trick.  His penalty was saved but he followed up to score.  4-1.  Pearson's hat-trick meant that he'd equalled his goal-scoring tally for the whole of last season.  Danny Ward wrapped up the scoring on his league debut for Trinity with a close header.  5-1 to Trinity.

Team:  Yates; McIntyre, Priestley, Kilsby, Maynard, McIntosh, Marston, Gardiner, Ryan, Pearson, Travers 

Subs: Ward (for Travers)

Pre-season Friendly

Trinity 8 Trinity II 1  

Trinity warmed up for the new season with a convincing 8-1 victory over their second team.  With both teams playing with ten players each there was more space than normal, which was excellently exploited by Trinity.  Imran Mughal, Tom Marston and Stevie Travers all grabbed two goals each.  Tom Priestley and Robbie Pearson scored the other goals.  Ives, a rugby-playing pal of Neil Higgins, scored a consolation goal for Trinity II.

Pre-season Friendly

Trinity 1 St Nicholas 3

Trinity found themselves 3-0 down at half-time after a slow start.  An improved second half performance saw Robbie Pearson score from the edge of the area, as Trinity lost 3-1.