21/07/15 Rovers took another team consisting of trialists and youth team players to Bangor tonight with the team slipping to a 1-0 defeat against a very useful Bangor team that regularly qualifies for Europe via the League of Wales. Gary Brabin's comments seem to point to the fact that he's satisfied with how preparations are going so far as the new season nears ever so closer although i fully envisage Friday's game at home to Blackburn Rovers will be far more competitive and will feature most of the first team players and possibly a few trialists that GB is really keen on possibly signing.
24/07/15 Rovers were beaten 0-2 tonight by a youthful Blackburn Rovers team at PP although SWA did hold their own for much of the game until about the 60 minute mark when things fell apart, Rovers started with a strong team featuring new signings who all impressed, GB put a few trialists towards the latter stages of the game.
29/07/15 Rovers played Everton U21's tonight and before the game Rovers announced the signing of Trialist H Jonathon Margretts, Margretts has been on trial at Rovers for few week after his release at the end of last season by Hull City. Rovers won the match 3-1 after an early set back when they found themselves caught on the counter from there own corner Everton Went 1up but goals from Cole Stockton & 2 from new boy Margretts saw Rovers win this tie going into the final Pre season fixture on Saturday at home to Micky Mellon's Shrewsbury which will probably be the sternest test so far for Brabin's new look side. On an other note my man of the match tonight was the very impressive Jay Harris who worked hard across midfield all night
24/07/15 Rovers were beaten 0-2 tonight by a youthful Blackburn Rovers team at PP although SWA did hold their own for much of the game until about the 60 minute mark when things fell apart, Rovers started with a strong team featuring new signings who all impressed, GB put a few trialists towards the latter stages of the game.
29/07/15 Rovers played Everton U21's tonight and before the game Rovers announced the signing of Trialist H Jonathon Margretts, Margretts has been on trial at Rovers for few week after his release at the end of last season by Hull City. Rovers won the match 3-1 after an early set back when they found themselves caught on the counter from there own corner Everton Went 1up but goals from Cole Stockton & 2 from new boy Margretts saw Rovers win this tie going into the final Pre season fixture on Saturday at home to Micky Mellon's Shrewsbury which will probably be the sternest test so far for Brabin's new look side. On an other note my man of the match tonight was the very impressive Jay Harris who worked hard across midfield all night
01/08/15 Goalkeeper Iain Turner was today added to Brabin's Squad, the former Everton keeper will provide cover for Scott Davies and this will also allow the club to loan out the younger keepers Sam Ramsbottom & Luke Pilling gain valuable first team experience. the signing was announced before the final home friendly against a very strong Shrewsbury team, Rovers featured two trialists one on either wing (Adam Mekki) & Courtney Cameron both featured against Everton U21 in midweek with the later impressing the most. The game was not the best final prep the season as Rovers where outclassed by Mellon's Shrewsbury who featured a few former rovers faces JLAA & Grandison.
03/08/15 Youngster Ben Jago has been sent out on loan to Hyde Utd again this will be to gain experience although with our current squad size I would be keeping these boys at the club incase of an emergency and these boys are needed as they have proved in pre season that they are no mugs 04/0815 Rovers added trialist Adam Mekki to the squad today who will provided the much needed width that we have been missing in pre season, Mekki is a bit of a risk as he's been slightly plagued by injury the last few season so really needs to put this behind himself if he's to make a career in football. |
Season
08/07/15 The campaign got off to the perfect start as we brushed aside a dogged well organised Woking team although the turning point was the unfortunate injury to the visitors star man Scott Rendell in the 38th min & shortly after the second half started Rovers took the lead when the very impressive Jay Harris was fed the ball 30 yards our from a well worked free kick routine saw Harris fire an unstoppable shot in the top corner, Rovers held on for the win although the performance wasn't great the result was the most important thing as Rovers now have two away ties in a week at Gateshead & Braintree.
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11/08/15 Rovers followed up there opening day victory with a superb 4-1 victory at Gateshead the most impressive part of the game was that all 4 goals came courtesy of the defence with Liam Ridehalgh, Richie Sutton, Michael Ihiekwe & Matt Hill, Rovers have struggled with goals in the previous few seasons so if this continues then rovers will be in a good place come the end of the season. Rovers start to the season has set up expectations amongst the fans although this is Tranmere and we have seen good starts go to crap in recent seasons so lets not get too carried away.
15/08/15 Rovers drew 0-0 at Braintree today not really the result i was expecting but the game panned out how i expect games to go next season with teams game plan is to stop Rovers from playing at any cost, It worked today with rovers only managing a handful of chances but the good thing is we now have two home games on the bounce to put things right starting with Halifax's visit to Prenton Park on Tuesday evening.
18/08/15 Rovers laboured to a hard fought 1-0 victory at home to Halifax tonight with the goal coming from Andy Mangan, Both strikers looked impressive forcing Matt Glennon in the Shayman's goal considerably busy. From the early games it's clear that we still need a natural right back and at least one more natural winger as thus far as the manager has been played Liam Ridehalgh and Lois Maynard on the wings and thus far Liam has taken to the role really well leading the assist charts for the club so far, if this continues for him we might be able to flog him to Real Madrid for £100m as a converted left back! Next up is Boreham Wood on sat at PP as Rovers look to build on their excellent unbeaten start.
22/08/15 Rovers where absolutely diabolical today as the fell to a 0 - 2 defeat to Boreham Wood, it wasn't that Wood played exceptionally well Rovers just never got going and resorted to playing Boreham's way and not sticking to there own game plan! New loan signing Nathan Blissett who joined earlier in the week came off the bench but Rovers just lumped the ball up to him with no avail, i have said all season we need wingers to supply the front men who will score goals if given the service in addition we need a natural right back if we are to get promotion out of the national league.
29/08/15 Rovers fell to a second consecutive defeat this time losing 1- 2 away to Altrincham Louis Maynard got his first goal for Tranmere after goals from Bowerman & Rankine for the hosts, Rovers are now struggling to break teams down especially as teams seem to be coming with the game plan of just stopping Tranmere playing there game and it's working as Rovers are looking increasingly frustrated.
31/08/15 Rovers threw away a 2 goal lead this afternoon against Kidderminster, Hogan And Mangan had given rovers a great start but they conceded two goals in 4 minutes to Give the visitors a share of the spoils, although new short term signing Marlon Jackson did hit the post in injury time but it wasn't to be as TRFC have now gone 3 games without a win and in fact only picked up 1 point out of a possible 9 #worrying. Rovers are on telly next week 5th sept against Welling so hopefully they can put in a good display in front of the camera's although we haven't done to well in recent televised games!
05/09/15 Rovers struggled to a 1-1 result today at Welling, Rovers took the lead shortly after the break when Maynard capitalized on a goalkeeper error to head into an empty net but the game was overshadowed by the dubious red card to Richie Sutton for an off the ball incident with Welling striker Sahr Kabba, Welling took the momentum from the red card and got a fantastic equaliser from midfielder Corne. After the Game The Manager has said the club intend to appeal the red card after looking at footage. Next up is the Local derby with Chester defeat could spell curtains for Gary Brabin as discontent creeps in from the SWA fans.
10/09/15 The F.A have overturned suttons red card and have Charged Kabba with trying to get an opponent sent off, this is the first punishment of its kind as the FA have introduced this new offence to stamp out the behaviour in the game.
12/09/15 Rovers hosted Chester for the the first time in 24 years today, the club put up a marquee to try and create a party atmosphere between fans of both clubs, Chester Brought 1500 fans which considering the fact that they only average 2200 at home this is a decent turnout. Rovers won the game thanks to goals from Hogan and Norwood in the 1st half Chester tried to get back in the game in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 74th min but John Rooney's spot kick was saved by Scott Davies. Rovers held on for a 2 nil win. Rovers now have 2 away games at Southport on tuesday then they are again on the telly on Friday away to free scoring Grimsby Town.
15/09/15 Rovers came from two goals behind tonight at Southport to register a 2-2 draw, Rovers fell two behind within the first 20mins against a team that is struggling so far in the National League this season which is rather worrying but second half goals from Jay Harris & James Norwood secured a point for the SWA although a sending off to a southport player never helped Rovers cause as they searched for all 3 points. Next up is Grimsby Town on Friday live on BT sport.
18/09/15 Rovers came back from an early setback against Grimsby on BT to earn a hard fought point, Rovers fell behind to John Paul-Pittmans early header but Brabin's introduction of on loan striker Nathan Blissett saw the powerful striker make an immediate impact after 30 seconds of coming on sliding the ball into the Grimsby net.
22/09/15 Rovers again came back from an early setback this time against an inform Aldershot side to register an excellent 3-1 victory, although never has a flukey gaol against the run of play changed a game so much as it did tonight, in the first half Rovers just never got going and in fact it was the visitors who look more like scoring but right on the stroke of half time in form james Norwood capitalized on Aldershots inability to clear their lines and fired into the corner. In the second half rovers came out with real intent and grabbed the game by its scruff and goals from Mekki & Mangan secured the win taking Rovers unbeaten run to 6 games.
26/09/15 Rovers recorded another excellent victory this time at the expense of Promotion rivals Cheltenham, Rovers had to wait till late into injury time to secure the points with the help of Andy Mangan's strike from the edge of the box. Rovers have found some much needed form especially at a time when the runaway leaders Forest Green have slipped to 3 straight defeats.
03/10/15 October has started off really well with a 4 -0 home win of high flying Bromley who had come to Prenton park in fine form but left the Fortress empty handed, 2 Goals a piece from Andy Mangan and Jonny Margaret's secured the victory and moved Rovers unbeaten run to 8 games, setting up Tuesday's game at Wrexham nicely.
06/10/15 Rovers came from a goal behind to go 2 - 1 up through Maynard & Mangan again but a late Wrexham equalizer ensured both teams shared the points, the main plus for Tranmere is that they are now 9 games unbeaten with 2 home games on the bounce starting on Saturday with Eastleigh then again on Tuesday to Dover.
10/10/15 Rovers slipped to another Home defeat this time at the hands of Eastleigh in a bad tempered game that saw too red cards and Tranmere loose 3 players through injury although its worth mentioning the injuries weren't due to tackles from the opposition, Rovers where 2 down and only a Jennings consolation goal made the score less embarrassing although substitute Jackson hit the bar in injury time.
13/10/15 Rovers lipped to back to back home defeats today when a stubborn Barrow team came away from PP with the points, Rovers missed a hat full of chances in a dull game to gift the away team all the points through a Andy Bishop Strike. Next up is the leagues leaders Forest Green away!
15/08/15 Rovers drew 0-0 at Braintree today not really the result i was expecting but the game panned out how i expect games to go next season with teams game plan is to stop Rovers from playing at any cost, It worked today with rovers only managing a handful of chances but the good thing is we now have two home games on the bounce to put things right starting with Halifax's visit to Prenton Park on Tuesday evening.
18/08/15 Rovers laboured to a hard fought 1-0 victory at home to Halifax tonight with the goal coming from Andy Mangan, Both strikers looked impressive forcing Matt Glennon in the Shayman's goal considerably busy. From the early games it's clear that we still need a natural right back and at least one more natural winger as thus far as the manager has been played Liam Ridehalgh and Lois Maynard on the wings and thus far Liam has taken to the role really well leading the assist charts for the club so far, if this continues for him we might be able to flog him to Real Madrid for £100m as a converted left back! Next up is Boreham Wood on sat at PP as Rovers look to build on their excellent unbeaten start.
22/08/15 Rovers where absolutely diabolical today as the fell to a 0 - 2 defeat to Boreham Wood, it wasn't that Wood played exceptionally well Rovers just never got going and resorted to playing Boreham's way and not sticking to there own game plan! New loan signing Nathan Blissett who joined earlier in the week came off the bench but Rovers just lumped the ball up to him with no avail, i have said all season we need wingers to supply the front men who will score goals if given the service in addition we need a natural right back if we are to get promotion out of the national league.
29/08/15 Rovers fell to a second consecutive defeat this time losing 1- 2 away to Altrincham Louis Maynard got his first goal for Tranmere after goals from Bowerman & Rankine for the hosts, Rovers are now struggling to break teams down especially as teams seem to be coming with the game plan of just stopping Tranmere playing there game and it's working as Rovers are looking increasingly frustrated.
31/08/15 Rovers threw away a 2 goal lead this afternoon against Kidderminster, Hogan And Mangan had given rovers a great start but they conceded two goals in 4 minutes to Give the visitors a share of the spoils, although new short term signing Marlon Jackson did hit the post in injury time but it wasn't to be as TRFC have now gone 3 games without a win and in fact only picked up 1 point out of a possible 9 #worrying. Rovers are on telly next week 5th sept against Welling so hopefully they can put in a good display in front of the camera's although we haven't done to well in recent televised games!
05/09/15 Rovers struggled to a 1-1 result today at Welling, Rovers took the lead shortly after the break when Maynard capitalized on a goalkeeper error to head into an empty net but the game was overshadowed by the dubious red card to Richie Sutton for an off the ball incident with Welling striker Sahr Kabba, Welling took the momentum from the red card and got a fantastic equaliser from midfielder Corne. After the Game The Manager has said the club intend to appeal the red card after looking at footage. Next up is the Local derby with Chester defeat could spell curtains for Gary Brabin as discontent creeps in from the SWA fans.
10/09/15 The F.A have overturned suttons red card and have Charged Kabba with trying to get an opponent sent off, this is the first punishment of its kind as the FA have introduced this new offence to stamp out the behaviour in the game.
12/09/15 Rovers hosted Chester for the the first time in 24 years today, the club put up a marquee to try and create a party atmosphere between fans of both clubs, Chester Brought 1500 fans which considering the fact that they only average 2200 at home this is a decent turnout. Rovers won the game thanks to goals from Hogan and Norwood in the 1st half Chester tried to get back in the game in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 74th min but John Rooney's spot kick was saved by Scott Davies. Rovers held on for a 2 nil win. Rovers now have 2 away games at Southport on tuesday then they are again on the telly on Friday away to free scoring Grimsby Town.
15/09/15 Rovers came from two goals behind tonight at Southport to register a 2-2 draw, Rovers fell two behind within the first 20mins against a team that is struggling so far in the National League this season which is rather worrying but second half goals from Jay Harris & James Norwood secured a point for the SWA although a sending off to a southport player never helped Rovers cause as they searched for all 3 points. Next up is Grimsby Town on Friday live on BT sport.
18/09/15 Rovers came back from an early setback against Grimsby on BT to earn a hard fought point, Rovers fell behind to John Paul-Pittmans early header but Brabin's introduction of on loan striker Nathan Blissett saw the powerful striker make an immediate impact after 30 seconds of coming on sliding the ball into the Grimsby net.
22/09/15 Rovers again came back from an early setback this time against an inform Aldershot side to register an excellent 3-1 victory, although never has a flukey gaol against the run of play changed a game so much as it did tonight, in the first half Rovers just never got going and in fact it was the visitors who look more like scoring but right on the stroke of half time in form james Norwood capitalized on Aldershots inability to clear their lines and fired into the corner. In the second half rovers came out with real intent and grabbed the game by its scruff and goals from Mekki & Mangan secured the win taking Rovers unbeaten run to 6 games.
26/09/15 Rovers recorded another excellent victory this time at the expense of Promotion rivals Cheltenham, Rovers had to wait till late into injury time to secure the points with the help of Andy Mangan's strike from the edge of the box. Rovers have found some much needed form especially at a time when the runaway leaders Forest Green have slipped to 3 straight defeats.
03/10/15 October has started off really well with a 4 -0 home win of high flying Bromley who had come to Prenton park in fine form but left the Fortress empty handed, 2 Goals a piece from Andy Mangan and Jonny Margaret's secured the victory and moved Rovers unbeaten run to 8 games, setting up Tuesday's game at Wrexham nicely.
06/10/15 Rovers came from a goal behind to go 2 - 1 up through Maynard & Mangan again but a late Wrexham equalizer ensured both teams shared the points, the main plus for Tranmere is that they are now 9 games unbeaten with 2 home games on the bounce starting on Saturday with Eastleigh then again on Tuesday to Dover.
10/10/15 Rovers slipped to another Home defeat this time at the hands of Eastleigh in a bad tempered game that saw too red cards and Tranmere loose 3 players through injury although its worth mentioning the injuries weren't due to tackles from the opposition, Rovers where 2 down and only a Jennings consolation goal made the score less embarrassing although substitute Jackson hit the bar in injury time.
13/10/15 Rovers lipped to back to back home defeats today when a stubborn Barrow team came away from PP with the points, Rovers missed a hat full of chances in a dull game to gift the away team all the points through a Andy Bishop Strike. Next up is the leagues leaders Forest Green away!
17/10/15 Brabin has pulled off a major coup signing Gary Taylor-Fletcher hours before the Forest Green game, the striker had been without a club since the summer after his Leicester contract was terminated and its a signal of intent by Brabin adding such a talented player to his already impressive squad.
Taylor- Fletcher took 4 mins of his debut to open his account in Rovers excellent 0-2 victory at the league's leaders slotting home from a Norwood cross, Rovers extended there lead with a Norwood header against his old club from a deep Lois Maynard cross in the first 20 mins. no further goals went in but Rovers certainly proved that they have the squad to challenge for the title this season providing they can stop loosing awkward teams like Barrow, Alltringham and Boreham Wood.
24/10/15 A week off from league action today as its the F.A cup 4th qualifying round and we are at home to Lincoln, the game finished with a drab 0 - 0 draw with both team failing to break each other down resulting in both teams now having to replay.
26/10/15 F.A cup draw today saw the winners of our game travel to Whitehawk so that's certainly an incentive to progress in the cup.
27/10/15 F.A cup replay away at Lincoln which hasn't gone to plan resulting in rovers early exit from the Cup, Scott Davies was sent off early in the 1st half for a handball outside the box which is something he;'s done before but got away with it so the law of averages said he was due to get caught sooner rather than later, any way this gave rovers an uphill task but when sub keeper Iain Turner saved Matt Rhead's first half peno it seemed like it might not be a disaster but as the second half went on rovers succumbed to Lincoln pressure and eventually lost the game 2 - 0. Felling amongst some fans is its not a bad thing but i disagree winning any game breeds confidence and loosing dents confidence so that whole rather focus on the league is bollocks IMO.
31/10/15 Rovers look to put the cup disappointment behind them today when they entertain high flying Dover but rovers again slipped to a defeat losing 0 - 1 in a game that rovers never really looked like winning in fact they where dire for most of the game so a defeat is a fair result IMO. There are reports coming out that there was a racist incident on the paddock side involving home fans but until a formal announcement this is just a social media rumour.
14/11/15 Rovers where back in action today after a two week break when they faced Lincoln for the third time in 4 games this time in the league but Rovers where beaten by a well organised Lincoln side and it was a Rovers old boy Luke waterfall that inflicted the damage heading home from a corner, This is a worrying trend for rovers this season not being able to defend set pieces.
21/11/15 Rovers returned to winning ways today with a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Yorkshire side Guiseley James Norwood scored twice for Rovers after being 1 nil down to see use pick our first 3 point up since the away win at Forest Green.
24/11/15 Rovers where back in action this time away to Woking who rovers beat on the opening day of the season 1 nil thanks to Jay Harris's strike but this time it was Woking who well and truly beaten 1-4 by a rampant Woking with Rovers consolation goal coming from Norwood again who is the only likely source of goals for rovers currently.
28/11/15 Rovers played out a boring 0-0 away at Boreham wood which has seen Rovers start to loose touch again with the leaders unfortunately.
05/12/15 Rovers again slipped to another defeat at home to Braintree 1 - 2 after Adam Mekki fired Rovers ahead rovers defensive frailties surfaced once again worryingly as Rovers crash to defeat and at full time the player and manager became the target of boo's from the stands. Patience is wearing thin on social media with Brabin as he clearly looks clueless both tactically and motivationally imo.
12/12/15 Rovers had a chance to forget about the league for a week when they faced local rivals Wrexham in the FA Trophy but as usual lately Rovers where well beaten by Wrexham 2 - 4 which is a bitter pill for all Rovers fans loosing to the Welsh side, I also managed to upset Ben Tomlinson myself which has made the news as he apologised for swearing at a fan (me) in the press, although I just wish he'd show that sort of passion playing as he did with his on the pitch outburst, I am also disappointed in the club after I emailed then after the issue just to say his apology wasn't need as these things happen but as of yet not had a response from the club. The full time whistle again saw boo's from the crowd but Brabin has totally lost the majority of the fans now so it is only a matter of time THANKFULLY.
19/12/15 Rovers picked up a point at struggling Halifax after being 1 up Rovers again let the hosts in for a share of the point although the Halifax goal was a well taken long range strike from former Shrewsbury man Nicky Wroe. At least it wasn't a defeat I suppose.
26/12/16 Rovers faced Macclesfield in the first game in a busy festive fixture list and it was Rovers who left with full points after goals from central defenders Steve McNulty And Michael Ihiekwe from Adam Mekki corners, in between the away sides goal was a header from the league's top scorer Kristian Denis who is only at Macclesfield as his parent club Stockport can't pay his wages! Any sure there won't be a shortage of offers come the January transfer window.
28/12/15 Rovers final league game of 2015 saw Rovers recorded a hard fought victory against Altrincham at Prenton Park with the goal coming in first half Curtsey of James Norwood's 11 goal of the season. Norwood had a chance at the death to make it a far more convincing victory but he but his effort was saved by Deasly in the visitors goal.
30/12/15 Rovers have announced that the Steve McNulty signing has now been made permanent until the end of 2016/17 season, hopefully Steve can now push on an show his worth to an already fragile defence
MID SEASON VERDICT = Must try harder if we are to achieve Promotion
Rovers 02/01/16 Rovers started 2016 with a defeat against Macclesfield who avenged our victory on Boxing day with a strike from Jack Simpson in the first half, Rovers boosted new signing Jeff Hughes on the wing who has signed from Cambridge on loan until the end of the season but in a tricky game he had little chance to show ability. Today Rover's also announced the Defender Matt Hill has signed a new deal until the end of this season, Hill has been one of the most consistent performers this season IMO. 04/01/16 Brabin has extended the contract of winger Adam Mekki now until the end of the season with the option of a further year again this is good signing for us as Mekki is a natural winger and something that the current squad is very short on this season. 07/01/16 Brabin has sold Andy Mangan back to his old club Shrewsbury for a fee, this has angered a number of Rovers fans who believe Mangan was never given a real chance at Tranmere and it's now the 3rd time Micky Mellon has signed the striker so he's obviously a player he admires. Lets hope Rovers don't rue the decision come the end of April. On a Plus note Brabin has signed defender Lee Vaughan on a permanent deal until the end of the season after his club Cheltenham terminated his current contract paving the way for the deal. 09/01/16 Rovers made the trip to Barrow in what turned out to be a real humdinger of a game with Rovers leading 1 nil from an Adam Mekki Peno they proceeded to concede 3 goals but in the finals few minutes Rovers scored 3 times through Maynard, Hughes and Kirby to run out 4-3 victors. All the 3 rovers goals where timed inside the 90th min so it actually proves time wasting can cost you the match. the victory also eased pressure on Brabin as another defeat would certainly have made his position even more perilous. 23/01/16 Another victory for Rovers on the Road this time away at Bromley who going into the game where 6 points behind Rovers with 2 games in hand so this is a massive win for the whites, it also outs us 2 points outside the play offs, the victory come curiosity of a Lee Vaughan strike meaning back to back wins for Rovers going into 2 home games on the spin. 26/01/16 Brabin has sent forgotten defender Marcus Holness out on loan to league rivals Altrincham, this will give the defender some much needed games but I suspect its more about helping him get some valuable shop window exposure as his Rover's contract nears the end and is unlikely to be retained by Brabin. 30/01/16 Rovers made it 3 wins on the spin with a 2-1 victory at home to Torquay, The team sheet included former Rovers player Jack Mackreth who has signed until the end of the season. Rovers where never tested by the visitors in difficult blustery conditions. Rovers 1st goal can from veteran Gary Taylor-Fletcher when his looping volley from 25+ yards sailed over Lavercombe in the visitors goal in to the top corner. Rovers second came just a the visitors where enjoying a spell of possession through top scorer James Norwood when he fired past Lavercombe into the bottom corner, Joy was short lived though as Rovers allowed Torquay a rare opportunity that Harrod headed in to make the final quarter nervous for Rovers fans. The result saw Rovers end the day in the play off's in 5th place. 06/02/16 Rovers secured there 2nd league home victory in 2 weeks with a hard faught Derby victory in fact it's the first time the two sides have met at Prenton Patk since 1976. The tie was settled by James Norwoods second half penalty to move rovers up to 4th in the National league. 13/02/16 Rovers winning streak came to an end with a draw at Aldershot never side was able to break each other's resolve and both managers agreeing that the draw was a fair result. Rovers still lie in 4th place although other teams around us have games in hand so by the time we kick off against Cheltenham next sat we could be back out the playoffs. 20/02/16 Leaders Cheltenham came to Prenton Park in what should of been a cracking tie but never lived up to the billing, Danny Wright gave the visitors a 4th minute lead that they never really looked in danger of relinquishing and Rovers just could find a way through the organised Cheltenham back four. Harris picked up a late booking for pulling a Cheltenham player off the field who appeared to feigning injury and as a result will now miss the next 2 games for picking up 10 bookings and will now miss Chester (A) and Gateshead (H) although rover will now have Jennings back after serving the same offence previously. 28/02/16 Rovers went into Sundays lunch time kick off with local rivals Chester just outside the play offs but knowing a win would take them back up to 4th place the pressure was on Brabin's men especially as Chester would want to avenge Rovers 2-0 win earlier in the season. in truth this was a game Rovers never looked like loosing, McNulty and Steve Jennings where particularly impressive throughout the match. Rovers where backed by 1100 fans who out sung there rivals all day. Rovers had to wait until 68th min for the break through when Adam Mekki picked up the ball deep in the midfield and drove at the Chester team but as he was about to shoot he was brought down by Chester sub Johnny Hunt and the ref pointed to the spot which James Norwood calmly converted sending the keeper the wrong way for his 14th of the season. Rovers should have had at least 3 pens in the game but in the end they hung on for the vital 3 points. 31
05/03/16 Rovers gained another 3 points today against an inform Gateshead team who are one of the pack of teams still pushing for that final play off spot currently occupied by Rovers. The game proved an easy one for Rovers in the end as the cantered to 3 goal lead 2 x pens for Norwood, 1 x Michael Higdon Header before allowing former Rovers Loanee Danny Johnson a simple tap in to reduce the deficit to 3-1. 08/03/16 Rovers twice threw away a lead at Yorkshire side Guiseley was as they dropped 2 vital points in play off spot race, Rovers goals came from a Rob Atkinson own goal and a Jake Kirby strike. Next up for Rovers is a tough away trip to Dover on Saturday followed by Forest Green at home a week later. 12/03/16 Rovers picked a point up away at high flying Dover today although it feel almost like Rovers have dropped 2 more point s in the race for one of the two possible play off slots especially as they play Forest Green next Saturday and the other teams still have games in hand. 18/03/16 Rover played host to title challenging Forest Green at Prenton park today with FGR looking to avenge our 0-2 victory earlier in the season but it was TRFC that looked most likely to get all 3 points today after an uninspiring performance by he visitors who failed to show any real class IMO. The visitors did take an early lead through Darren Carter but Rovers responded early in the second half through Jay Harris. FGR had Carter sent off for 2 booking and if we are honest they could of easily ended the game with 9 men in a game that had a few tasty challenges. On refection this game proved to be another 2 points dropped and now its looking like making the play offs will take a huge amount of luck for us now. 25/03/16 Rovers played Lincoln today in front of the BT camera's and the game certainly didn't disappoint the neutrals although for us Rovers fans we had to endure a dfficault 90mins as Rovers struggled to overcome a dogged IMPS team desperate for the win themselves. Rovers took the lead through a James Norwood penalty as the Lincoln full back was adjudged to of handles a goal bound effort also resulting in a red card for the defender but Lincoln hit back straight away through a back post header much to Rovers faithfuls frustration. Tranmere took the lead again in first half stoppage time when Kirby fired into the net from a scramble. Lincoln came at Rovers in the second half and got there rewards in the 70th min again through a free header but with 5mins to go sub Adam Mekki's defected shot found the back of the net to get Rovers the much needed win. 28/03/16 Rovers travelled to lowly Kiddiminster Harriers on bank holiday Monday knowing they needed to win to keep up the play off dream and Rovers never disappointed as two James Norwood strikes in either half earned Rovers another massive 3 points moving them up to 4th. 31/03/16 Some very sad news out of the club the morning with the announcement that former manager and my all time favourite manager Johhnny King passed away yesterday after a brief battle with illness. KINGY will be remembered as the manager who took Rovers from the forth division to the brink of the premier league. He also took Rovers to Wembley 6 times. The club has already honoured him when The Borough Road stand at Prenton Park was named after him in 2002 and King attended the unveiling of a statue of him at the ground in November 2014. A minutes applause will be undertaken at Saturday's home game with Welling. Johnny King will always be remembered for his witty comments like "Aldridge is like a pair of shoes in a shop. You look at them over and over again and then you find you have enough money to buy them" or "I can't promise anyone success, but I can promise them a trip to the moon" my personal favourite though was "Tranmere will never be able to compete with Liverpool and Everton. They're like big liners like the Queen Mary, but I see Tranmere as a Deadly Submarine" 02/04/16 In typical Rover's fashion we managed to put in a performance not befitting the occasion in fact if Johnny King had been laid to rest he'd already be turning in his grave! Rover's managed to pretty much blow any chance of making the play off's by going down down 1-2 to second from bottom Welling after being 1 up Rover's again conceded straight after scoring, this is something that has blighted our performances for a while and if that is not bad enough we then conceded another to loose the game. The optimists out there will still believe we have a chance but considering our rivals stills have games in hand and the fact we haven't managed to pull clear we are in danger of missing out completely now.
09/04/16 A good weekend for Rovers in the end as things stand they still hold that final play off berth after a hard fought 0-1 away win at Torquay. A second half header from Michael Higdon was enough to earn all 3 points for Rovers although it did take a fine second half injury time save fro Scott Davies to ensure all 3 points. Dover won so its looking like a race for the final berth is now between Rovers, Braintree And Eastleigh & possibly Wrexham who Rovers face on Saturday at PP then we travel to Eastleigh so these games will have a massive bearing on the race. 16/04/16 Rovers slipped up in the race for a play off place loosing to local rivals Wrexham 1-2. Rovers defender McNulty gifted the 1st goal when he massively under hit a back pass to Scott Davies with was capitalised on by a Wrexham striker. Rovers got back in the game in the second half through a James Norwood peno but the visitors gained the points when full back Newton headed in from a corner resigning Rovers to a 9th home league defeat of the season and almost certainly meaning it will be another frustrating season in this shitty league. 23/04/16 Rover's live to fight the final day after a superb victory away at Eastleigh almost certainly meaning that unless both Rovers and Braintree loose and Eastleigh win albeit with a good goal swing then Eastleigh will be in the conference another season. Tranmere still need to win at home to Grimsby who have already secured a Play off place and hope that Braintree loose to Altrincham who need the win themselves to stay up. 30/04/16 Heartbreak for Rovers as they failed to secure that final play off berth on the final day of the season meaning we will just be casual observers of the whole play off lottery this season. Rover won the final game against Grimsby 1-0 thanks to Steve Jennings early goal but its worth mentioning that it was a weakened Grimsby side as there manager decided to rest 8 players as they had already secured a play off spot. Rovers where resigned to another season in the National league as Braintree won there game 3-0 meaning that Rovers missed out by 2 points. 04/05/16 My final comment is that season ticket prices have been released for the new season much too my delight prices haven't gone up much too my surprise if supports take advantage of June 20th early bird deadline dates. I will be renewing for me and my son for next season , how many more do only time will tell. NOT SURE IF I Will REPEAT THIS NEXT SEASON JUST DEPENDS ON HOW I FEEL AS NOT SURE IF ANY ONE ACTUALLY READS IT? If you do feel free to get in touch using the icons at the top of the page. SEASON VERDICT = Not good enough, Lost too Many Home League Games, Brabin's Lack Of A Plan A let Alone A Plan B, Too Many Players Not Good Enough To Wear The shirt. |