Trinity come up short at play-off chasers Brackley

Gainsborough Trinity boss Steve Housham lamented his side’s defensive frailties as they came up short at play-off chasing Brackley Town.

But Saints boss Jon Brady could not have asked for more - Stefan Moore that is - as his side maintained their unbeaten home record in Saturday’s Skrill North clash at St James Park.

Moore proved an instant hit, the former Leamington striker bagging a brace on his debut little more than a week after scoring twice to sink stuttering Saints in the New Year’s Day derby.

He picked up from where he left off against Trinity and forged an partnership with strike partner Ben Mills and could have added to his tally.

Trinity, on the other hand, were not the same free-scoring side which put five past Altrincham in midweek.

Defensively they were too slow to deal with Moore’s pace and could not find a way through the Saints’ defence other than Darren Stamp’s 67th minute header from from Jonathan Williams’ looping free-kick after the two substitutes combined well.

The goal gave Trinity a lifeline after they had gone in at the break trailing 2-0 to Moore’s eighth minute opener from a well-worked counter attack and a 27th minute penalty from Mills after Glenn Walker was brought down in the area.

But Trinity lacked the fire power to get back on level terms and Moore’s second goal in the 74th minute ended their hopes of getting anything out of the game.

Trinity failed to create few clear cut chances, Saints’ mean defence limiting them to long range shots and corners, which never posed Billy Turley too many problems. Saints, on the other hand, managed to fashion some excellent chances throughout, Mills should have scored early on and a curling free kick from Izak Reid hit the side-netting in the second half.

Both teams can take positives from the performances of their respective debutants, man-of-the-match Moore for Saints and Trinity new boys Ashley Burbeary and Cain Winfarah both providing bright moments for the visitors on the flanks.

Both managers were happy with their new signings.

Saints boss Brady said Moore was “very good and led the line well” while Housham commended Burbeary and Winfarah’s performances and was encouraged about their qualities.

However that’s where the similarities ended as Housham lamented his sides’ defensive frailties and their lack of recognised central defenders while Brady added that “he could name 11 players” who were excellent after a masterclass in counter-attacking football.

Brackley Town: Turley, Reid, Nisevic, Towers, Sharpe, Austin (C), Story (Bridges 85), Solkhorn, Moore (Diggin 89), Mills (Mulligan 75), Walker. Not used: Cartwright, Griffin.

Goals: Moore 8, 74, Mills 27 (pen).

Cautions: Austin 66.

Gainsborough Trinity: Barnes, Roma, Wilde, Burbeary (Winfarah 54), Howe, Leary (C), Russell, Toner (Williams 46), Wootton, Barraclough (Stamp 62), Davis. Not used: Lacey, Karach.

Goals: Stamp 67.

Cautions: Roma 72.

Ref: Rob Ellis.

Att: 269.