Former Lincoln City academy striker Connor Brown scored against his old club as Gainsborough Trinity began this season’s Lincolnshire Senior Cup with a 4-0 victory over Lincoln United.
Brown, who spent six years in the Imps’ academy before later returning to Sincil Bank for a trial, struck Trinity’s third goal and created the fourth during a convincing preliminary-round win at Ashby Avenue.
The 20-year-old was back at the ground where he enjoyed an impressive first season in senior football, scoring 17 goals in all competitions for Lincoln United during the 2025/26 campaign.
He joined Gainsborough during the summer and was handed a start alongside Theo Williams as Russ Wilcox named a strong side for the cup tie.
However, Trinity’s evening began with an early setback. Goalkeeper Callum Hawkins was injured while clearing the ball inside the opening three minutes and, with no replacement goalkeeper on the bench, defender Ashley Jackson was forced to take the gloves.
Brown was heavily involved as Gainsborough took the lead. He chased down a bouncing ball and reached it before Flitton, directing a brave header towards goal, only for Lewis Marsh to clear from close to the line. The reprieve was brief. Jack Leckie met Preston’s resulting corner and guided the ball beyond Flitton to put Trinity ahead.
Trinity doubled their advantage ten minutes before the interval. They won possession high up the pitch and Williams showed good movement inside the penalty area before turning and finishing smartly.
Gainsborough continued to control possession after the break, although Jackson was required to make a save with his feet to deny Lincoln substitute Henry Millard.
Brown was then involved in a flashpoint after appearing to be caught by a high challenge, but the former Imps trainee responded by scoring Trinity’s third goal six minutes later.
Preston and Javelle Clarke exchanged passes on the edge of the penalty area before finding Brown in space on the left. The striker worked the ball onto his shooting foot and fired past Flitton to open his Gainsborough account against the club he left earlier in the summer.
Brown then turned provider as Trinity added a fourth shortly afterwards. He combined with Preston on the left before sliding a low ball across the face of the goal, allowing Clarke to convert with a first-time finish.
The result sends Gainsborough through to the first round of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup, where they will travel to Grimsby Borough.
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