Match Preview | Tranmere Rovers (H)

23 October 2023

Tranmere Rovers are Tuesday night’s visitors to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in Sky Bet League Two.

The Shrimps made it three away wins on the bounce while extending our unbeaten run to six in all competitions following Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 away win against Sutton United.

Nigel Adkins’ men were in action on Friday night where they fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Doncaster Rovers. Harrison Biggins and Modou Faal netted either side of the break with Connor Jennings pulling one back in what proved to be a second half consolation.

Since our promotion to the EFL in 2007, the two teams have faced off 10 times, with the Shrimps winning three, drawing two and losing five.

The last encounter between the sides was a memorable one for the Club; a 2-1 away win followed by a 1-1 home draw was enough for Derek Adams’ men to progress to the Sky Bet League Two play-off final in May 2021.

The Opposition

It’s been a tough start to League Two for the Birkenhead club with three wins, one draw and 10 defeats after 14 games. Former manager Ian Dawes, who only arrived at the club in May, was relieved of his duties in September.

Adkins was then appointed interim manager, and has since taken charge of eight games, winning two, drawing one and losing five. At the time of writing, Rovers sit 21^st in the League Two table.

Born in Birkenhead, the 58-year-old boasts a wealth of managerial experience following spells with Scunthorpe United, Southampton, Reading, Sheffield United, Hull City and Charlton.

At the time of his temporary appointment, Adkins was technical director at Prenton Park.

Key Players

A proven offensive threat this season, Connor Jennings is joint-top scorer as well as the leading provider to date with four goals and two assists. The 31-year-old, who is in his second spell with the club, scored the all-important winner for Rovers in their 2019 League Two play-off final victory against Newport County at Wembley. Jennings was capped once for England C in 2014, making his international debut in a 4-2 win over Estonia U23.

Last year’s Supporters’ Player of the Season, Josh Hawkes, netted double figures during the 2022/23 campaign with 11 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions. The midfielder tops the scoring tally so far this campaign alongside Jennings. Having arrived on Merseyside in September 2021, the 24-year-old has gone on to make more than 100 appearances, scoring 21 goals so far.

Club captain Tom Davies brings plenty of experience to the Rovers squad. Having represented a variety of clubs, including Portsmouth, Coventry City, Bristol Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town, he has played just shy of 200 games across League’s One and Two respectively. The 31-year-old has also played a part in two League Two play-off campaigns; once for Accrington Stanley which ended in semi-final defeat and again for Coventry City, who won promotion in a 3-1 winning final against Exeter City in 2018.

Donald Love's Pre-Match Thoughts

Speaking following the Shrimps' 3-2 victory against Sutton United, skipper Donald Love says Tuesday's game against Rovers will be a different challenge.

"It's going to be a completely different game to Sutton, that was a completely different game to a lot of teams in this league," he said.

"We've watched clips on Tranmere so we have an idea on how they're going to play.

"It's our job to go out there, perform the way the manager wants us to and get the win."

Team News

After picking up an injury during the first half on Saturday, goalkeeper Stuart Moore joins Jake Taylor on the sideline.

Farrend Rawson will be assessed following a cut eye he received against the U's on Saturday.

Meet The Officials

Paul Howard takes charge on Tuesday night as referee and will be joined by assistants Paul Newhouse and Lewis Raper as well as fourth official Graeme Fyvie.

Howard, who has issued 31 yellow cards and one red card across nine games in League’s One, Two and the EFL Trophy, last took charge of the Shrimps in last season’s 1-1 draw away to Cambridge United back in March.

Watch Live!

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Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 1 Tranmere Rovers 0

24 October 2023

The Shrimps secure another three points after a 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers to extend our unbeaten run to seven.

Despite a number of huge opportunities for Derek Adams' men, it was Jordan Turnbull who proved to be the difference with a 72nd minute own goal.

The opening chance of the game fell to the visitors as Harvey Saunders met a corner with his head on seven minutes, though he failed to find the target.

A fierce delivery from the right courtesy of Tom Bloxham found Jordan Slew at the back post, the resulting header was wide of Luke McGee’s goal.

The Shrimps came close to an opening on 20 minutes with a lovely spell of one-two play between McKiernan and Bloxham which saw the latter find space down the right, his resulting cross was eventually dealt with by Rovers.

Eight minutes later, a gilt-edged chance came the way of the Shrimps as Bloxham, who looked a threat down the right, once more delivered a dangerous ball into the mix, this time McKiernan met it with a shot on target, but it lacked the power to truly test McGee.

In an opening half of few clear-cut chances for Rovers, Brad Walker tried his luck from the edge of the area on 33 minutes, which Adam Mayor was equal to with an important block.

With the first half drawing on, Jordan Slew looked to find the back of the net from distance, but Lee O’Connor’s pressure did enough to see the shot sail wide.

McGee was called into action on 42 minutes to deny McKiernan from close range. The Northern Irish U21 international produced a powerful strike on goal on the turn, forcing a strong arm from the Rovers number one to keep the scores level.

Half-time: Morecambe 0 Tranmere Rovers 0

Four minutes into the second half, Michael Mellon had an opportunity with a free kick following a foul on David Tutonda. It was well struck, but straight at McGee.

Just before the hour mark, Slew pulled the trigger from distance, his shot was deflected behind for a corner which was ultimately cleared by the opposition.

A Rovers cross was then sent into the middle for Saunders, whose header was tame and easily collected by Adam Smith.

Another chance for the visitors came through Rob Apter after the substitute cut inside onto his left and looked to curl one, Smith once more equal to the strike.

Our pressure paid off as the deadlock was broken on 72 minutes. A cross sent deep from Chris Stokes was met by the head of Jordan Turnbull who sent the ball into the back of his own net.

It was nearly a second just three minutes later as Bloxham was released down the right, he advanced before striking the ball over the crossbar.

A point blank save from McGee kept Morecambe’s lead to one on 80 minutes as Bloxham again fired at goal from eight yards out, the visiting goalkeeper managed to scoop the ball off the line and away to safety.

Searching for a leveller, Rovers’ captain Tom Davies rose highest to meet a cross inside the Shrimps’ box, but he failed to keep his attempt down.

Mcgee came to Tranmere’s rescue on 86 minutes; Jacob Bedeau picked out Mellon down the right with an emphatic through ball before the Burnley loanee’s strike was saved by the goalkeeper’s leg.

Two huge chances for the opposition came seconds apart at the end of the second half. First, Apter’s ball was a dangerous one and was begging for a touch at the back post which never came. Then, Jennings reacted quickest to Smith’s save but failed to find the target.

Full-time: Morecambe 1 Tranmere Rovers 0

Morecambe: A Smith, Love © (Stokes, 10’), Tutonda (Melbourne, 64’), Bedeau, Songo’o, Bloxham, Mellon, McKiernan, Mayor, Senior, Slew (Davenport, 74’).

Subs not used: Pedley, C Smith, Walker, Brown.

Goals: Turnbull OG (72’).

Bookings: Bedeau, Mayor.

Red cards: None.

Tranmere Rovers: McGee, O’Connor, Walker (Lewis, 58’), Davies ©, Turnbull, Morris (Apter, 58’), Hendry, Dennis (Jolley, 83’), Jennings, Saunders (Hawkes, 78’) Wood (Pike, HT).

Subs not used: Murphy, Yarney.

Goals: None.

Bookings: Hendry, Jennings.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 3,678 (526 away).