Trinity out of FA Trophy after penalty shoot-out heartbreak

After three postponements because of freezing weather, Trinity’s fourth attempt to play the match last Thursday was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

That led to chairman Richard Kane unsuccessfully asking the FA to switch the venue to Gainsborough on Tuesday — although it would have been held at the Northolme on Thursday if Tuesday’s match had also been called off.

But when it finally went ahead, Trinity’s depleted team — players signed after the original date for the match in December were not eligible — matched their high-flying National League North rivals in a pulsating 4-4 draw.

A missed penalty by Nathan Stainfield in the following penalty shoot-out proved crucial, however, as the visitors went out 5-3.

It was rough on Trinity, for whom Liam King and Craig King both converted their penalties before Stainfield’s miss. Jordan Richards also scored in the shoot-out.

Manager Dave Frecklington would have been proud, though, with the way his side competed over the 120 minutes of pulsating Trophy action.

Spennymoor took a 14th minute lead through David Foley, but four minutes later Ashley Worsfold converted a fine cross from the returning Bradley Wells.

In the 28th minute the home side restored their lead, only for Curtis Bateson to find a second leveller within three minutes with a low shot at the near post.

Stainfield and Worsfold were denied further goals before half-time by good saves.

Spennymoor hit the post at the start of the second period and were also thwarted by fine stops from Trinity keeper Henrich Ravas — who later repeated his heroics in extra-time.

Those first stops looked vital when Worsfold struck again in the 66th minute, capitalising on a poor clearance to give the visitors the lead for the first time.

They defended well, but four minutes from time Ryan Hall’s 25-yard cracker forced extra-time — and within 120 seconds Glen Taylor made it 4-3 to Spennymoor.

Never-say-die Trinity hung on, however, and in the 95th minute a Wells cross was headed down by Craig King for Alex Simmons to level at 4-4.