Total Tranmere - Hartlepool v Tranmere Rovers Preview

Hartlepool v Tranmere Rovers Preview

By Deadly Submarine January 31 2006
As Tranmere travel to Hartlepool this weekend in Coca-Cola League One, Total Tranmere brings you all the statistics and team news to keep you in the know prior to the game. Rovers will be looking to continue their recent good form, particularly away from home.

Hartlepool United are without six first team players through injury. Thomas Butler (hamstring), Hugh Robertson (knee), Mark Tinkler (calf), Joel Porter (knee), James Brown (knee) and Adam Boyd (knee) are all set to miss out but Matty Robson (groin) and Antony Sweeney (ankle) should be fit for the game after injuries.

Tranmere Rovers Manager Brian Little has a full squad to choose from with goalkeeper John Achterberg returning to training this week after stomach and shoulder muscle injuries. The Dutchman is not likely to appear in this game unless an injury crisis ensues.

Match Referee – To Be Confirmed

Hartlepool United:

Last Six At Home - LLLWLD

Last Six Games - LDLLDL

Tranmere Rovers:

Last Six Away - LWLDDW

Last Six Games - DDWWWD

Hartlepool go into this game without a win in their last six matches home and away and with four defeats out of their last six at home.

In stark contrast, Rovers have not lost for six games which included a run of three straight wins over the holiday period that was only ended with a 0-0 draw at home to Bournemouth.

Away from home, Rovers have not lost since the unlucky 2-1 defeat at Oakwell at the start of December and will be hopeful of getting a positive result this weekend.

Hartlepool United: Sweeney, Proctor and Eifion Williams – All with 5 Goals

Tranmere Rovers: Chris Greenacre – 14 Goals

10^th August 2004 – Coca-Cola League One – Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers 2 - 1 Hartlepool United

Taylor (pen) 27 Robertson 23

Dagnall 68

Dagnall sent off 68

Attendance: 8,128

Referee: Mr Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)

12^th March 2005 – Coca-Cola League One – Victoria Park

Hartlepool United 0 – 1 Tranmere Rovers

Dagnall 53

Attendance: 4,887

Referee: Mr Andy Penn (West Midlands)

In last season’s two league encounters, Rovers gained maximum points off their opponents with Chris Dagnall the hero on both occasions although he was also a villain.

In the first meeting at Prenton Park in August 2004, Rovers went behind to a Robertson goal before Ryan Taylor levelled from the penalty spot just eight minutes before half-time. In the second half, Chris Dagnall won the game for Rovers but his celebration with the Rovers faithful in the Kop saw him receive a second yellow card and leave the field.

In the following March, Dagnall was the hero again for Rovers scoring the only goal of the game at Victoria Park just after half-time to keep Rovers promotion push on track.

13^th May 2005 – Coca-Cola League One Play-Offs Semi- Final First Leg– Victoria Park

Hartlepool United 2 – 0 Tranmere Rovers

Boyd 32

Boyd 68

Attendance: 6,604

Referee: Mr Brian Curson (Leicestershire)

17^th May 2005 – Coca-Cola League One Play-Offs Semi- Final First Leg– Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers 2 – 0 Hartlepool United

Taylor 70

Beresford 82

Hartlepool Won 6-5 on Penalties

Attendance: 13,356

Referee: Mr Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)

The two sides met twice more in the League One play-offs in May but Rovers got off to a terrible start in the first leg at Victoria Park as they were defeated 2-0 thanks to a brace from Adam Boyd.

The return game at Prenton Park was a cracker as Rovers pressed and pressed for the goals they needed and eventually got one through Ryan Taylor with twenty minutes remaining. With eight minutes left and time seemingly running out, David Beresford was the unlikely hero, heading in Rovers second of the night to even the tie 2-2 on aggregate.

No further goals in extra-time saw the tie go to penalties where misses from Ryan Taylor and Ian Sharps saw Rovers lose 6-5.