“We didn’t see it coming”

Gainsborough Trinity assistant manager Darryn Stamp pulled no punches following Monday’s frustrating 2-0 loss at Histon.
Gainsborough Trinity FC 2013/14.  Pictured is Darryn Stamp (w130813-1s)Gainsborough Trinity FC 2013/14.  Pictured is Darryn Stamp (w130813-1s)
Gainsborough Trinity FC 2013/14. Pictured is Darryn Stamp (w130813-1s)

Stamp was sent off after coming on as a substitute in the Skrill North clash, and after apologising for getting himself ejected, admitted the club’s poor start has affected everyone at the Northolme.

“We didn’t see this coming, even after all of the upheaval at the end of last season,” he said.

“The lads are an honest bunch, and they know that what they’ve shown in the last four games isn’t good enough.”

“I’m struggling to think of a time when we’ve been on top of a game for a prolonged period. We haven’t been completely played off the park by any means, but it’s a big worry.”

Monday’s defeat means that Trinity sit bottom of the Skrill North without a single point, and Stamp hopes the embarrassment of their position will help spur his side on.

“We have to look forward now and know that if there’s a time to improve, it’s now.”

“In the next few games, we play the teams that have come down from the (Conference) Premier.”

“Players know that they need to start performing.”

“Regardless of our budget, there’s ways and means of getting fresh blood in if needed.”

After losses in their first three games, the Trinity faithful were hoping to see some improvement after the long trip to Cambridgeshire, but were left disappointed as the Blues conceded early.

With just 12 minutes played, the effervescent Salim Relizani glided through Gainsborough’s back line before laying the ball off to Nathan Hicks, who drove it low past Phil Barnes in the Trinity net.

Mark Jones had a couple of chances to level the scoring - heading just wide after 34 minutes before forcing a good stop from Histon goalkeeper Calum Kitscha – but the home side looked comfortable and would have doubled their lead before the break were it not for a fine double save from Barnes.

Despite a better start to the second half, Trinity found themselves under the cosh as they looked for an equaliser, and went further behind on 72 minutes through Remy Clerima.

After Kaine Sheppard’s strike deflected wide, Clerima rose high above the Blues’ defence from the ensuing corner to nod the ball past Barnes.

Things went from bad to worse for Trinity, with substitute Stamp seeing a second yellow card for a clumsy foul late in the game, putting further strain on an already stretched squad.

In the face of one of their worst starts in living memory, the Blues welcome AFC Telford United to the Northolme on Saturday hoping to produce a result that will see them rise from the foot of the table.