Second half goals from Harry Salt and James Simms ensured that our first trip to Lincolnshire since that special day back in April 2023 ended with an equally satisfying outcome.
With a number of players injured or unavailable, Grant Shenton had to shuffle his pack, which meant a first start of the season for Chiekh Thiam. James Dwyer and Jack Atkinson also returned to the starting eleven, and within ten minutes Shenton had to make another change, as Benito Lowe succumbed to an injury.
There was little by way of goalmouth action in the opening 45 minutes on a blustery afternoon. Fraser Preston probably had the best opportunity for the home side, but with just Vilar Robinson to beat, he blazed his shot over the bar. Salt provided the chief threat to the Gainsborough defence, but the half ended with neither keeper having been tested.
That soon changed early in the second half, as the visitors edged in front with a stunning goal. After good work by Thiam on the right flank, Salt converted his cross with an acrobatic finish. The young striker might have had a second soon afterwards, but his thunderous effort was tipped onto the bar and over by home debutant Archie Howard.
Trinity enjoyed more possession as the game drew to a close, but they were still unable to create a goalscoring opportunity of note. Their best chance came and went when Connor Brown volleyed over from close range, and moments later the three points were secured. A long clearance by Vilar Robinson was brilliantly found its way to James Simms via Jacob Holland-Wilkinson and Salt, and he coolly slotted the ball in the corner to seal another three points on the road for the Ro.
Avro: Vilar Robinson, Thiam, Owen, Dwyer, Fitzpatrick (c), Harrop (Hickman 70), Dyson, Atkinson (Davidson 72), Lowe (Holland-Wilkinson 10) Salt, Smith (Simms 75).
