The Mariners fell to a narrow defeat in their first away game of the season as a first-half Gainsborough goal saw the hosts.

It was a first competitive start for Danielle Richardson in between the sticks as Ben Challen named a few other changes from the team that took to the Blundell Park turf last Sunday.

Gainsborough Trinity took control of the game and created chances early on, but Richardson did well to respond to both threats in quick succession.

Town’s first chance of the game came with 18 minutes on the clock, but Beth Wharton’s effort was saved comfortably by the host keeper.

Another opportunity fell for Lily Jacklin on a rebound following a Wharton effort, but a Trinity defender was there to beat her to the ball.

Gainsborough took the lead on the half an hour mark after Town lost the ball in midfield, allowing the Trinity striker to turn with the ball and beat the keeper.

The Mariners were able to create plenty of chances in the second-half, having plenty of the ball and progressing it into the final third, but that final ball lacked.

A rushed clearance from a Trinity defender saw the ball fall to the feet of Pariss Welsh. Unfortunately, Welsh’s effort went over the bar from close-range.

Olivia Kershaw put in a free-kick from 40 yards out, but it frustratingly headed wide.

Despite plenty of the ball, the Mariners couldn’t quite carve out the chances to create opportunities to find the back of the net.

The Women’s First Team are next in action this Sunday where they face Ossett United Ladies at home in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup

Town: Richardson, Dalton, Gray, Thorpe, Wray, Kershaw, Brighton, Swallow, Emslie, Jacklin, Wharton

Subs: Flecknor, Dejonge, Welsh, Fawcett, Clapham