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Tranmere Rovers v Gillingham - Sat Sept 24th
By Deadly Submarine
September 24 2005
Rovers take on Gillingham at Prenton Park this Saturday as they look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat at Southend United last weekend. Total Tranmere brings you all the latest team news, statistics and information in preparation for the game as Rovers look to get back to winning ways.

TRANMERE ROVERS Vs GILLINGHAM

Saturday 24th September 2005 – Kick Off 3.00pm

 

If ever it was important for Rovers to win a home league game, then this Saturday must surely be it!  Following a run of three games without a win that included a 2-2 draw at home to Bradford, Saturday’s visit of Gillingham will require nothing less than three points if the side are to live up to the expectations of us the fans.

 

Gillingham’s recent form, particularly away from home is not particularly strong but they do go into the game on a high following a 3-2 win that put Portsmouth out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday Night.

 

Away from home, the Gills have not won in their last six games stretching back to last season but they have recorded four draws in that time.  Unlike Rovers, Gillingham did win their last game in the league last weekend but prior to that had only managed one draw and four defeats.

 

The last time these two sides met was in the 2000-01 which Rovers fans will remember all too well as the season that Rovers were relegated from the then Division 1.  The first meeting of that season was at Prenton Park early on in the season and it was something of a goalfest!!

 

After just nine minutes of the game, Rovers were 2-0 up through Wayne Gill and Sean Flynn but just a minute after Flynn’s goal, Gillingham pulled a goal back through Carl Asaba to complete a remarkable opening ten minutes.  The first-half drama didn’t end there as Clint Hill put Rovers 3-1 up just on half-time.

 

A second half penalty from Nicky Southall, gave Rovers an uncomfortable last half-hour but they held on to win 3-2.  The return game at the Priestfield Stadium in March saw Rovers go 1-0 up after just ten minutes through Jason Koumas but a penalty from Marlon King just before half-time and a goal from Iffy Onuora (who later played briefly for Rovers of course) just after the break, sealed a 2-1 win for the home side.

 

The Gill’s manager is Neale Cooper who parted company with Hartlepool towards the end of last season, shortly after he had guided them to the League One play-offs where they of course went on to beat Tranmere over two legs.

 

DEADLY’S MATCH PREDICTION:  TRANMERE  3 - 1  GILLINGHAM

 

Gillingham’s One to Watch

 

Darren Byfield – Signed on a free transfer in the summer, the former Preston, Walsall, Rotherham and Sunderland player has already weighed in with three goals this season, including the opener in the Gill’s 3-2 Carling Cup win over Premiership Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

 

 

 

Team News

 

 

Tranmere Rovers – Rovers will again be without the services of defender Ian Sharps (knee) and striker Calvin Zola (foot) but young striker Steve Davies has returned to first team contention after scoring for the Reserves on Wednesday night.

 

Captain Jason McAteer has missed training at the start of the week but is expected to be available on Saturday.

 

Gillingham – The Gills will be missing defenders Chris Hope and Ian Cox through injury but Brent Sancho is back in contention after injury.

 

Probable Rovers Team: Achterberg, Bruce, Goodison, Jackson, Summerbee, Roberts, McAteer, Rankine, Aiston, Facey, Greenacre.

 

Referee – Matt Messias (Yorkshire)

 

 

Current Form

 

 

Tranmere Rovers:

           

Last Six Games Home – WWDWWD

 

Last Six Games – LWWDDL

 

 

Gillingham:

                                               

Last Six Games Away – LDDDDL                      

 

Last Six Games - LDLLLW         

 

 

Hotshots

 

 

Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre – 5 Goals

 

Gillingham: Darren Byfield – 3 Goals

 

 

Last Meetings (2000-01 Season)

 

 

19th August 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park

 

Tranmere Rovers  3 – 2 Gillingham

Gill 4                                           Asaba 10

Flynn 9                                       Southall (pen) 66

Hill 45                                              

                                                   Ashby Sent Off 90

                         

Attendance: 8,355

 

Referee: Alan Kaye (West Yorkshire)

 

_____________________________________________________

 

20th March 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Priestfield Stadium

 

Gillingham  2 – 1 Tranmere Rovers 

King (pen) 42                 Koumas 10

Onuora 47

                 

                             

Attendance: 7,810

 

Referee: D.R Crick (Worcester Park)

 

 

Head to Head

 

                                     Summary of Past Meetings

 

All Matches:

Matches Played = 24

Tranmere Wins = 9

Gillingham Wins = 3

Matches Drawn = 12

 

Tranmere Goals = 31

Gillingham Goals = 24

 

At Prenton Park:

Matches Played = 12

Tranmere Wins = 7

Gillingham Wins = 0

Matches Drawn = 5

 

Tranmere Goals = 19

Gillingham Goals = 9

 

 

 

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