Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town Match Preview
By Matthew Jones
August 10 2009
As Rovers prepare to face Grimsby Town in the first round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday evening, Matthew Jones brings us his pre-match look at the teams ahead of the clash which is a repeat of last years first round clash which Grimsby won 2-0 at home despite Rovers dominating the game for the majority of it.
Carling Cup First Round - Tuesday 11th August
Tranmere R Vs Grimsby T
Kick-Off 7.45pm at Prenton Park
After Saturday's dismal opening to the season at Yeovil Town, Tranmere Rovers take to the field at Prenton Park this Tuesday night in the first round of this season's Carling Cup competition.
Rovers take on League Two side Grimsby Town, managed by scouser Mike Newell for the second year running in the competition, and they will be looking to progress to the second round for the first time in five seasons.
A win for Tranmere could bring in some vital revenue, as they look to pick up a big second round tie against the likes of West Ham or Manchester City, whilst it would also see John Barnes pick up his first competitive win in what will be his first competitive match at Prenton Park.
It is key that Barnes gets off on the right foot for Tranmere and he will be desperately keen to see his side pick up a crucial win in this Tuesday night fixture.
Grimsby Town Team Profile:
Formed: 1878
Ground: Blundell Park
Manager: Mike Newell
Nickname: The Mariners
Season Finish 2006/07: 22nd (Coca-Cola League Two)
Previous Meetings:
These two sides met in the same stage of the competition last season, although the game was played at Blundell Park, home of Grimsby, instead of on the Wirral.
Ronnie Moore took his Rovers side across country on a bizarre day, as thunder storms and black clouds lined one side of the ground, whilst the other side was illuminated with brilliant early evening sunshine.
However, with hopes high that Tranmere could win this fixture, Ronnie Moore saw his side slip to their second successive defeat, as despite dominating long periods of the game, Tranmere lost 2-0.
Grimsby took the lead 20 minutes into the match, when striker Butler crossed for Hunt at the far post, who headed past stand in ‘keeper Achterberg from point blank range.
Tranmere had their chances to get back in the game, with Taylor and Kay hitting the post, whilst Sonko also had a few shots on goal.
However, it was Grimsby that scored next, doubling their lead after half-time, when they broke down the right through former Wrexham player Chris Llewellyn, who crossed into the box, where Ben Chorley put the ball into his own net.
‘Keeper Barnes had an outstanding second half for Grimsby, ‘keeping out Curran and Sonko, as Tranmere were condemned to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in a game which they could easily have won had they taken their chances.
Vital Stats:
In 31 previous home matches against Grimsby Town, Tranmere have picked up fifteen wins and six draws, losing just ten times
Tranmere have won four of their last five home matches against the Mariners
These two sides have met on seven previous occasions in August, and the away side has never won
Tranmere have scored 58 goals in 31 home matches against Grimsby, with the Eastern coast side netting 45 times
In four previous cup matches between these two teams, the home side has won by at least two goals in each occasion.
On This Day:
2007: Ronnie Moore's Tranmere slip to a 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds United in the Yorkshire side's first game in League One
2001: Six years earlier and it's a similar story for Tranmere, as, once again at Prenton Park, and this time in their first game back in Division One, Rovers slip to a 2-1 defeat against Bury in Dave Watson's first game in charge of the club
1998: John Aldridge's Tranmere pick up a resounding 3-0 win over Carlisle United in the first round of the League Cup
Tranmere Rovers have played four previous fixtures on this day, picking up two defeats and two wins, with both the wins coming in the League Cup. In their four matches on this day, Rovers have scored seven and conceded five goals.
The Form Book:
After an indifferent pre-season, Tranmere's season kicked off on Saturday like a lead balloon.
A large number of travelling Tranmere fans, high in expectations and excitement for the start of the new season, travelled down to Huish Park to see Rovers take on Yeovil Town, a team who, before the game, Rovers had only lost to once in their history.
However, a disappointing display ended in a disappointing result, as Rovers slipped to a 2-0 defeat, thanks to a first header from Bowditch and a second half penalty from Tomlin.
This then wasn't the best start to his reign as Tranmere manager for John Barnes, who clearly still has a lot of work to do before he finds a Rovers team capable of challenging for promotion this season.
Over pre-season, Tranmere recorded some impressive and some disappointing results. After the dust finally settled over the sacking of Ronnie Moore in June, the football finally began with games at Cammell Laird and Heswall, where Rovers lost 3-2 and won 2-0, whilst they would later draw with Morecambe (3-3) and beat Southport (3-1).
In their home friendlies, Tranmere lost 2-1 at home to Championship side Preston North End and drew with a Liverpool XI including Steven Gerrard (2-2) and Shrewsbury Town (1-1).
Grimsby started the season in similar fashion, as they faced Cheltenham Town, who, inspired by former Fulham striker Barry Hayles, picked up three points for an excellent 2-1 win, a game which Grimsby had originally led thanks to a striker from Barry Conlon.
The game at Whaddon Road saw Grimsby name two former Tranmere players in their sixteen, Robbie Stockdale and Paul Linwood, but like last season, a year in which they struggled desperately and were only just beaten to the drop by Chester City, they got off on the wrong foot as they failed tow in on the opening day for the second season running.
In their preparations for the new seasons, Grimsby played a number of sides from higher divisions, and faired well, as a young side lost 3-0 against Championship side, whilst against Doncaster Rovers, it was only two late goals that saw the Mariners slip to a 2-0 defeat.
Leeds United of League One, a team highly tipped for Promotion this season, could only manage a 1-1 draw against Mike Newell's side, whilst against another League One side, Yeovil Town, who Tranmere played on Saturday, Grimsby won 3-2.
Grimsby, like Tranmere, also played local non-league opposition in their build up to the new season, and managed an incredible 12-1 win over Winterton Rovers as they brought their preparations to a close.
PREVIEW CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>>
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10/08/2009 00:50
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