Tranmere Rovers
Match Preview: Altrincham v Tranmere Rovers
By Louise Formston
August 27 2015
As Tranmere prepare to travel the short distance to Altrincham on Saturday afternoon, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the match.....
Last weekend saw disappointment for both teams. Tranmere fell to their first defeat of the season against Boreham Wood, whilst Altrincham travelled to Dover only to lose to a last minute goal. Rovers will visit Moss Lane on Saturday, taking upwards of 1,200 of the SWA with them. Both teams will be keen to make amends this weekend as they go head to head for the first time in a competitive League match.
Form Guide:
Despite heading into the game following a 2-0 defeat to Boreham Wood, Rovers’ form prior was pretty solid. Three wins, including one away to Gateshead and a draw have them sitting fifth in the table, just five points behind table topping Forest Green. I’m sure Rovers will be eager to show that the abysmal display we were all subjected to last weekend is a mere blip and return to winning ways this Saturday. Altrincham however haven’t had the greatest start to the season, managing just one win (albeit against Grimsby) with four losses. Altrincham’s last game with Dover saw some improvement, holding out for a draw until the 90th minute where the Whites stole all three points with a Ragget goal.
Injuries and Suspensions:
I think its safe to assume we won’t be seeing James Norwood in a Tranmere shirt this side of Christmas. I joke of course, but our marquee signing is suffering with injury and Brabin is keen not to rush him back so I highly doubt he’ll be leading the line of Saturday. Despite playing on Saturday, Margetts is also another who has picked up a knock and is struggling to shake it off. The trip to Altrincham might also come too soon for Liam Hogan who has yet to play since limping off against Braintree.
Altrincham aren’t without their own injury woes. Last weekend’s game saw left-back Adam Griffin limp off in the first half (although is likely to be fit for Saturday) before goalkeeper Stuart Coburn was injured in the 89th minute and is now facing a six week stretch on the sidelines. Probably for the best from a Rovers’ point of view – Coburn has made the most saves of any keeper so far this season with 28. Altrincham will also be without Tom Marshall (central defender) who suffered both a broken leg and a dislocated ankle during Altrincham’s win against Grimsby. These latest two injuries mean since the start of the season Alty have lost four of their first choice back five to injury – hopefully something Rovers can take advantage of on Saturday.
The Opposition Dugout:
Lee Sinnott is the man tasked with stopping Rovers from returning to winning ways on Saturday. A former player himself, Sinnott has racked up appearances for Walsall, Bradford City, and Huddersfield before he tried his luck with management starting with Farsley Celtic in 2003. Sinnott moved to Port Vale in 2007 but left ten months later with a win rate of just 20%. A brief spell with Bradford Park Avenue in 2009 ended with Sinnott leaving by mutual consent and it wasn’t until 2011 before he took up the job at Altrincham.
Sinnott took over at Altrincham just after they had been relegated to the Conference North but Altrincham finished the 2013-2014 season with promotion back to the Conference (now National League) with a 2-1 win in the play-off final against Guisley. Whilst Altrincham manager Sinnott also signed his son, Jordan. Last season Altrincham finished a respectable 17th in the league with Sinnott’s overall win rate at Altrincham a fairly decent 47%.
One to Watch:
Damien Reeves - Striker (30) - English
Damien Reeves is something of a legend in the non-league world. Currently in his sixth season with Altrincham, Reeves’ goal scoring prowess has been well documented, even resulting in him being linked with Rovers a few seasons ago. In all but one of the previous five seasons, Reeves has been Altrincham’s top scorer and will no doubt be looking to top the table again this season. D uring one of these seasons, 2011-2012, Reeves scored a massive 44 goals making him the top scorer in the National League and above.
The following season wasn’t quite as successful by Reeves’ standards, only scoring 41 goals. This is Reeves’ second spell under manager Sinnott, who signed him for Farsley following a leg-break during Reeves’ time with Leeds United. Last season Reeves only managed a measley (!) 21 goals for Altrincham, but still found himself the club’s top scorer. Perhaps what makes Reeves’ triumphs more remarkable is Damien is still only a semi-professional, choosing to keep working part time as a plasterer throughout the season.
Other fun facts about Altrincham’s players include a goalscoring keeper. Stuart Coburn has scored twice during his keeping career whilst between the sticks. Central midfielder Jake Moult has also made a name for himself whilst at Altrincham and is the brother of former Wrexham striker Louis Moult. Altrincham aren’t without some intelligence either – winger Simon Richman is currently studying for a chemical engineering degree at the University of Manchester.
Around the League:
Barrow vs Southport: Our neighbours Southport currently sit bottom of the table with just the one point and will no doubt be hoping to get their first win of the season against Barrow, who haven’t won since the opening day.
Kidderminster vs Forest Green: Monday’s opponents Kidderminster will play host to league leaders Forest Green first. Hopefully they get all three points and will be too tired come Monday!
Guiseley vs Gateshead: Gateshead currently sit on ten points, just below us in the table on goal difference but will be looking for a win after last weekend’s draw to Kidderminster.
My Starting XI:
This week features no team selection. I thought I knew our best team but then that team produced last week’s horror show (who’d have thought a 2-0 defeat would be a horror show?!). This week I’d like to see a strong midfield who can protect the defence and provide some balls through to the forwards. Last Saturday our midfield disappeared and as a result we struggled to create anything in the second half. Hopefully Margetts is fit to play, he offers so much going forward and Ridehalgh is the first name on a Rovers’ team sheet nowadays.
Should the game turn out to be rubbish and you fancy something else to do – my mum assures me there is a tram in Altrincham centre and who doesn’t enjoy a tram?
Pre-Match Thoughts: Gary Brabin and Jay Harris
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27/08/2015 19:57
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Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:The Gorn
Can't pay on gate. We can have up to 2,000 allocation according to Nicola P. Can give us the Popular side terrace as well as behind one goal.
As posted elsewhere on here Altrincham have now confirmed there will be one cash turnstile for Tranmere fans tomorrow!
Quote:TranmereFan
Going for a win especially with a lot of SWA helping, 2-0.
If only our 1,500 fans had made themselves heard eh? This isn't a "fans are to blame for the defeat" post as they weren't but we had the chance to really get behind the team today but they let one goal end any vocal support for the rest of the game and that was that!
