Ethan Hoijord

In a game described as a ‘smash and grab’, Micky Mellon’s men defeat promotion chasing Coventry City at Birmingham City’s St Andrews stadium. 

Due to absences with suspensions, injury or international call ups the ‘Super Whites’  replaced Connor Jennings (suspended) with Corey Blackett-Taylor, Neill Danns (international call up) with George Ray meaning Liam Ridehalgh took his natural position of left back and Ollie Banks (injured) with Harvey Gilmour.

The opening ten minutes were relatively close, as both sides attempted to open the scoring. Coventry man Hiwula managing to get behind the Rovers defence but failed to keep his volley below the bar. At the other end, Stefan Payne nodded down for Paul Mullin inside the box but he couldn’t manage to keep the ball in play. 

After that, it seemed to be all Coventry. Monthe covering well to clear the danger after Godden, for Coventry, expertly controlled the ball on the edge of the box. Ridehalgh also managed to see an attack out as he saw the ball out from a back post cross.

George Ray proved his worth to the team with a good piece of defensive play, doing brilliantly to track Godden and block the attackers shot with a sliding tackle from ten yards out.

The first substitution was made on the 35th minute, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy replacing the injured striker Paul Mullin. This extended Micky Mellon’s long injury list problem.

This was soon followed by the first yellow card of the game, Stefan Payne booked for a late un-needed tackle. 

The half, dominated by Mark Robins’ ‘Sky Blues’ finished level much to the relief of Mellon and his side.

The first piece of good individual play came on the 51st minute, when young attacking midfielder Gilmour won the ball back in the centre of the ‘park’ and picked out Hepburn-Murphy. The attacker then ran at his marker and won a throw-in deep in the Coventry half.

The second ‘booking’ of the game came when Hepburn-Murphy caught Dabo late.

To the great relief of Emanuel Monthe, Godden hit the ball onto the right hand sided post after Monthe gave the ball away in a very dangerous position.

On the stroke of the 63rd minute, Hiwula again managed to get in behind the Rovers defence. Again to the relief of Micky Mellon’s side, the shot was struck wide. 

The ‘Super whites’ then counter attacked through Hepburn-Murphy. However, the substitutes goal-bound effort was cleared away.

‘GOALLLL!!!’ A scene of pandemonium was sent across the travelling ‘Super Whites’ when Tranmere attacker Corey Blackett-Taylor beat his man with a pacey attack and slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Micky Mellon’s men opened the scoring whilst Mark Robins’ side were reasonably frustrated considering they hadn’t managed to put one of their 17 shots past Scott Davies.

Although Coventry managed to level the scoring in a game they had dominated, the closest they got to doing so was when George Ray blocked a O’Hare shot.

The game finished 1-0 in favour of the visitors, Tranmere’s first league one away victory and clean sheet since the relegation season of 2013/14. This sent the travelling ‘Super Whites’ home happily after a game they would like to dedicate to the passed Luke Brown.

Tranmere are next in action at home to Southend United, this Friday night.

Micky Mellon’s men progress to the second round of the ‘Leasing.com’ trophy after a dominant performance against Aston Villa Under 21s.

In a much rested starting eleven, with the focus on resting certain players due to a long injury/suspension list and gaining some players fitness who will need to step in for the injured/suspended players; only Caprice, Monthe, Morris, Potter and Jennings were placed on the team line-up that started against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday. 

Aston Villa started off with a goal advantage from the second minute. This was due to Borthwick-Jackson’s misplaced throw-in not being defended well against, which invited Archer to shoot and score from just further than the defensive 18 yard box. 

However, Tranmere weren’t willing to drop their heads as their resilience shown in the constant surge of attacks that followed. Morris drove forwards to play the ball to Jennings, who’s shot was dragged wide. Blackett-Taylor proved himself to be an attacking threat whilst getting through the Villa defence to achieve a corner, yet nothing positive happened from it. Blackett-Taylor again beat his man, decided to shoot and was agonisingly close to levelling the scoreline but the Villa goalkeeper tipped the shot wide of the post. 

Defender, George Ray was the one to level the scoreline on the stroke of the 14th minute; Volleying low into the corner of the net after a beautifully timed cross-field pass by Potter found the feet of Blackett-Taylor who provided a perfect cross from the side of the main stand.

Aston Villa attacker, Archer was through on goal for a one-on-one with Pilling. However, Monthe stopped any chance of a shot with a needed last-ditch block.

Blackett-Taylor remained his mindset of attack as he, once again, beat his marking defender and cut the ball back to Ponticelli but the Villa defender put his foot in to stop any chance of a shot.

The last chance of a late first-half goal came in the 40th minute, Villa counter-attacking through Tai but Caprice followed and blocked the attackers shot.

The scoreline was level at half time, yet Tranmere were evidently the dominant side.

Blackett-Taylor started the first attack of the second half, the attacker crossing to the back post which met the head of Ray who’s header could only meet the hands of the Villa goalkeeper.

Further consecutive attacks followed, Morris set up a corner after a powerful shot was blocked for a corner with a ‘fake shot’ to beat the marking defender. The corner met Ray at the back post who’s downward header bounced over the bar.

On the stroke of the 63rd minute, Villa attacker Wright was injured after Pilling bravely dived to his feet to shut any goal opportunities out, from a through ball.

After the injury, all momentum for a goal was stopped. In fact, the next true attack was a quarter of an hour later. Jennings getting in behind, inside the box and firing a cross which eventually falls to Gilmour on the edge of the box but the defender throws his body in the way of his shot to force a corner. 

A second-half goal was found when Jennings met the ball in the air, with his back, as the goalkeeper was late to come off his line and put the ball into the empty net. 

The first set of substitutions cane five minutes later, when Ray and Ridehalgh came off the pitch for Blackett-Taylor and Mullin. Tranmere’s new objective was to shut out any Villa attacks and keep the scoreline in their favour.

Although there was seven minutes added time due to the injury, the only goal attempt that followed Jennings’ goal was Gilmours lowly drilled free kick that the Villa goalkeeper managed to keep out.

Full time : Tranmere 2 Aston Villa 1.

Lineups :

Tranmere – Pilling, Caprice, Ray, Monthe, Borthwick-Jackson, Morris, Potter, Gilmour, Blackett-Taylor, Ponticelli, Jennings. 

Aston Villa – Searle, Rowe, Revan, Suliman, Walker, Brunt, Birch, Tait, Clarke, Wright, Archer. 

My man of the match : Blackett-Taylor.

Attendance : 978 (59 away fans).

On a weekend that marked Micky Mellon’s three year stay at the club, he failed to beat his former side Shrewsbury. There was only one change from the previous defeat at Portman Road, this provided a slight tactical change. Connor Jennings replaced the injured Sid Nelson meaning Liam Ridehalgh played on the left hand side of the centre back pairing.

Similar to many previous performances, Tranmere started on the ‘front foot’. Payne heading down to Jennings who’s volley was blocked. Also, Bank’s corner found the head of Ridehalgh who’s header was deflected wide. 

However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Callum Lang, a season long loanee, ‘tapping in’ from a yard out.

Neill Danns was awarded with the first card of the game, dragging opposing midfielder Ollie Norburn to the floor inside Tranmere’s half.

Soon after, Stefan Payne nearly levelled the scoreline when an excellent turn placed the attacker in a position to shoot from the edge of the box. However, the Shrewsbury goalkeeper forced the shot around the post. 

On the 23rd minute, the entire crowd rose to beautifully applaud Tranmere supporter Luke Brown who passed away in the week. Nicola Palios, Tranmere chairwoman, took to Twitter to thank everyone who had respectfully applauded.

The second yellow card of the game was awarded to Shrewsbury man Laurent, for an ill-timed high tackle on Tranmere attacker Paul Mullin.

On the stroke of the 45th minute, Connor Jennings was sent off for his second yellow card of the game. However, this offence looked like a tackle from the Shrewsbury man. Thus, an officials mistake.

After the break, converted centre back Liam Ridehalgh provided a tremendous last ditch tackle to deny a shot from Udoh.

The first substitution came on the 60th minute, Harvey Gilmour replacing Darren Potter as Tranmere looked to attack.

Soon after, Callum Lang came close to doubling the visitors lead. A half volley from 25 yards whistling a yard past the left hand post.

Another substitution came when Winger Blackett-Taylor replaced Ollie Banks.

Quickly after, former Tranmere player Ollie Norburn smashed a shot off the post from inside the box.

Tranmere’s final substitution came when striker Hepburn-Murphy replaced converted full back Kieron Morris. This meant a tactical change as Tranmere converted a defensive four to a defensive three.

The last attack of the game came in the last minute of additional time, an attempt close to a Tranmere equaliser. Neill Danns controlling in the box for a shot which was comfortably saved by the Shrewsbury goalkeeper.

During the post match press meetings, Tranmere manager Micky Mellon claimed he wasn’t happy with the performance of his side. The main quote to represent the performance being ‘We lacked quality on the ball’.

Team lineups:

Tranmere – Davies, Morris, Ridehalgh, Monthe, Caprice, Banks, Potter, Danns, Jennings, Payne, Mullin. 

Shrewsbury –  O’Leary, Giles, Beckles, Pierre, Williams, Love, Goss, Norburn, Laurent, Udoh, Lang.

Micky Mellon’s men travelled to East Anglia with the hope of extending their unbeaten run, against a top of the league Ipswich side containing Tranmere legend James Norwood. The Tranmere lineup featured two changes from the previous fixture against Burton Albion, the returning Jake Caprice replaced the injured George Ray and new signing Neill Danns replaced the injured David Perkins. 

Similar to previous fixtures, Micky Mellon’s side looked to pose an attacking threat from the starting whistle. Jake Caprice and Neill Danns linking up well but a cross could only result in a goal kick. 

At the other end, James Norwood posed a threat to his former club through shooting on the edge of the box but his attempt was blocked by opposing defender Sid Nelson.

On the stroke of the twentieth minute, Tranmere looked to have opened the scoring but it was ruled out through the linesman’s flag as Stefan Payne appeared to use his hand in the build up.

Micky Mellon’s men continued to pose an attacking threat as Ollie Banks took an attempt from distance which unlike previous week couldn’t find the net. 

Tranmere Midfielder, Neill Danns, looked to pose an attacking threat as he carried the ball from midfield and drove forwards before shooting agonisingly wide of the post.

The first booking of the game was awarded late into the first half, Darren Potter on the receiving end of a yellow card for a tackle on Judge on the half way line. His actions also meant that a free kick was awarded which Garbutt was beautifully placed into the top corner of Scott Davies net from a roughly estimated thirty yards.

Tranmere’s bounce-back-ability appeared to come into use again when Stefan Payne brought the scoreline level with a ‘tap in’ after a low cross from Jake Caprice, just before half time.

After the halftime break, Stefan Payne was booked for a late tackle on Vincent-Young. Scott Davies could only parry a powerful free kick into the path of Jackson  who rifled his attempt into the net from a short distance.

On the stroke of the sixty-first minute, Ipswich believed that they had scored their third goal of the game. However, Downes’ attempt was ruled out for offside.

The goals continued to come for Ipswich, their third goal being scored halfway through the second half. Jackson broke through one-on-one but a Scott Davies save landed on the head of Nolan who was a short distance from the goal line.

The third booking of the game came for Tranmere legend James Norwood, who prevented Danns from counter-attacking from midfield.

Micky Mellon made his first two substitutions of the game : Kieron Morris and Paul Mullin being replaced by Connor Jennings and Corey Blackett-Taylor.

Ipswich’s fourth goal of the game came shortly after Norwood’s booking, Vincent-Young carrying the ball from right back into the box to slot perfectly into the bottom corner.

Another attempt on goal came for Ipswich when James Norwood managed to break the offside trap to go one-on-one with Scott Davies. However, his ‘chipped’ attempt failed to get past Scott Davies.

Micky Mellon made his final substitution of the game : Hepburn-Murphy replacing Darren Potter as the side looked to close the result gap.

As the fixture fizzled out, it looked impossible for Tranmere to bounce-back, meaning their unbeaten run was stopped in a defeat in East Anglia. However, the 621 travelling Tranmere faithful continued to support their team as ‘Tequilla’ rang across the away end.