Preview Tranmere Rovers
Saturday, 7th Jul 2018The Birkenhead side clinched the final promotion place from the Vanarama National League into the EFL in a dramatic play off final at Wembley on 12 May.
Saturday’s pre season friendly at home to Tranmere Rovers will provide the visitors with the first of seven matches in preparation for their return to the Sky Bet League Two and their opening fixture away to Stevenage on Saturday 4th August.
In the play off final second placed finishers Tranmere Rovers took on Boreham Wood who finished fourth in the standings. Rovers were on the front foot immediately but when full back Liam Ridehalgh was sent off in the first minute for a tackle on Ricky Shakes they were left to play the remainder of the match with just ten men.
Nevertheless, it was Tranmere who took a sixth minute lead, with Rovers not losing their heads following the dismissal. Andy Cook’s opener was his 28th goal of the season.
With continuing misfortune they had used all three subs before Boreham Wood equalised in the eighth minute to the first half.
Then with less than 10 minutes remaining, Connor Jennings broke free to curl in a delightful ball from the right and James Norwood got just enough power on his header, as Rovers fans jubilantly watched trickle over the line.
TRANMERE ROVERS (v Boreham Wood): Scott Davies: Liam Ridehalgh, Ritchie Sutton (Jay Harris (50), Stephen McNulty, Oliver Norburn, Josh Ginnelly (Connor Jennings 34), Josh Hughes, Larnall Cole (Eddie Clarke 9), Emmanuel Monthe, Andy Cook, James Norwood.
SUBS NOT USED: Andy Mangan, Rhyss Taylor (GK)
Defender Stephen McNulty has extended his stay with the club after signing a new 12 month contract. The 34-year old captain played 45 times for Rovers as he led them to promotion last season.
Tranmere signed 23-year old striker Paul Mullin from Swindon Town in June. Having been at Liverpool and Everton as a youth, Mullin started his professional career at Huddersfield Town before spending three seasons at Morecambe in League Two. Last season he scored ten goals in 47 appearances for Swindon Town following his summer 2017 move from Morecambe.
Tranmere keeper Luke Pilling has signed a new one year deal with the Club. The 20-year old has progressed through the youth system at Prenton Park, becoming a part of the first team squad three seasons ago. Luke has become a regular for the Wales Under-21s over the past 12 months and also recently trained with Ryan Giggs’ full national side.
Manny Monthe has agreed to return to Rovers on a one year contract, signing for an undisclosed fee from Forest Green Rovers.
23-year-old Monthe came through the ranks at Queens Park Rangers before gaining first team experience at nearby non-league teams such as Hayes & Yeading United and Havant & Waterlooville.
The six-foot-four defender joined Rovers on loan in February 2018 and put in some heroic performances, most notably at Wembley against Boreham Wood which gained them promotion to the EFL.
Defender Jake Caprice agreed to join Tranmere Rovers on a two year contract on 28 June. The right back joins Rovers after ending his stay at Leyton Orient.
Jake (25) began his career in the youth system at Crystal Palace and after one season as a professional with the Eagles he signed for Blackpool in 2012.
He gained experience in loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge, St Mirren, Tamworth and spent two seasons with Woking in the National League where his performances earned him the move to Leyton Orient.
Tranmere manager is Paisley born, Micky Mellon. His playing career included lengthy service for Blackpool, Burnley and Tranmere. After managing Fleetwood Town for four seasons, he was caretaker manager at Barnsley before a two year stint at Shrewsbury Town. He left Town to take over at the Rovers on 6 October 2016 and secured a return to the Football League for season 2018-2019.
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