By Deadly Submarine
July 17 2005

Steve Davies was on the scoresheet yet again as Tranmere recorded a 1-0 win over Premiership opponents Manchester City in their first home friendly of the pre-season. The goal may have come late but it gave the Rovers fans something to cheer in a game where three players made their home debuts.

Tranmere Rovers      1 – 0     Manchester City

        Davies 90                                                                                          

 

 

Unlike in previous friendlies up to now, Rovers Manager Brian Little did not opt for a different 11 in each half but did make a number of half-time substitutions to give as many players as possible a chance to prove their worth against Premiership opposition.

 

City Manager Stuart Pearce on the other hand did play a different team in each half and the second half appearance of Shaun Wright-Phillips may yet turn out to be his last in a Manchester City shirt as a move to Chelsea looks more and more likely.

 

Tranmere sported their new home kit for the game but were under pressure early on Miller had an early chance for City but fortunately failed to make proper contact with the ball.  After just ten minutes, Ian Sharps was the Rovers hero making a double goal-line clearance from Bradley Wright-Phillips when a goal seemed almost certain.  Fifteen minutes later, Sharps was almost the hero at the other end as he headed a Jason McAteer corner over the bar.

 

Tranmere were mostly under pressure though in the first half as a another chance, this time a header fell for Bradley Wright-Phillips but it went over the bar much to the relief of the home crowd.

 

Rovers got to half-time at 0-0 despite Achterberg being forced into a save from Wright-Phillips and could have had the lead themselves if Jason MCAteer had taken his chance from around 15 yards.

 

As Manchester City fielded an entirely new team in the second half that included Shaun Wright-Phillips, Danny Mills and Peter Schmeichel’s son Kasper in goal, Brian Little made five changes.  John Achterberg made way in goal for new signing Steve Wilson to make his first appearance in a Rovers shirt at Prenton Park, whilst Chris Greenacre also made his debut in place of Eugene Dadi upfront.

 

Harrison and Jennings replaced McAteer and Rankine in midfield and Paul Brown replaced Carl Tremarco.  Chances fell to both sides in the second half as Roberts, Jennings and Greenacre all having chances for Rovers while at the other end Wilson impressed the home fans with saves from a set piece and a Bermingham chance.

 

After Dagnall replaced Aiston and youngster Steve Davies replaced Calvin Zola, Brown set up Greenacre but the new signing could only fire wide.  However the pair were both involved right at the death as Rovers snatched the win.

 

Paul Brown’s cross into the City area was headed on by Linwood across goal and Greenacre kept the ball in play with an overhead kick that allowed Steve Davies to bag his third pre-season goal and give Rovers a hard-fought 1-0 win.

 

The Teams