Match pack: Tranmere Rovers (H)

11 January 2019

Boosted by the loan signing of Billy Waters, Cheltenham Town host Tranmere Rovers at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm).

The Robins are in home Sky Bet League Two action for the first time in 2019 against a Tranmere side who are back in the Football League this season and who have made an impressive start to life on return to this level.

Michael Duff’s side exited the Checkatrade Trophy at the third round stage on Tuesday evening on penalties against League One Oxford United who they pushed all the way, and head into Saturday’s fixture with plenty of hope that they can add to their ever growing points total of late.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are available to buy on the day on the turnstiles and can also be purchased in advance online.

Team news

Jordon Forster faces a fight to be fit following the dead leg he suffered on Tuesday. Defensive colleagues Johnny Mullins, Will Boyle and Sean Long remain out through injury.

Nigel Atangana had surgery on Thursday on his ruptured Achilles and Manny Duku has a knee problem that rules him out of selection.

Billy Waters is expected to be in the squad and could make his second debut for the club while Cameron Pring returns from being cup-tied for Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy game.

Watch Michael Duff’s pre-match press conference here:

Opposition

Following a three season stay in the National League, Tranmere returned to the Football League this season after beating Boreham Wood in last season’s National League promotion final at Wembley.

They occupy 9th position in the table heading into the weekend and last time out were in FA Cup third round action against top flight Tottenham Hotspur who turned on the style to win heavily at Prenton Park.

It’s back to league commitments though this weekend for the 2000 League Cup runners up, who could hand debuts to new recruits David Perkins and former West Brom front man Ishmael Miller.

In James Norwood they already carry a front man who will provide a threat. The former Forest Green attacker has notched 18 times this season, while Connor Jennings, brother of former Robins left back James, has netted eight times himself.

The likes of Doncaster Rovers loanee Luke McCullough and lively right sided defender or wing back Jake Caprice, plus the experienced heads of Steve McNulty and Jay Harris will also be ones to watch.

Tranmere boast one of the best home records in the division, but on their travels it’s a different story. They sit 19th in the away form table having taken only 11 points on the road this season.

Previous meeetings

It’s the Robins who just about hold the edge when it’s come to previous clashes in League One, League Two, the Conference and FA Cup.

In all competitions Cheltenham have come out on top seven times, while Tranmere have won five of the 14 games. There have meanwhile been two draws - both in 2007.

Contests have also remained relatively tight between the two. On only three of the club’s meetings has one team ended the 90 minutes two goals up on one another.

James Norwood’s strike back in August delivered three points for Tranmere in the meeting earlier in the campaign, while the last time the clubs came up against each other, during the 2015-16 season, saw the win record shared with both clubs achieving 1-0 away victories.

Tickets

Fans can buy in advance online by clicking here, or by purchasing on the turnstiles. For information on ticket prices click here.

The ticket office and club shop will be open from midday for supporters wanting to purchase tickets for upcoming home and away matches and merchandise.

Coverage

For match updates, team news and in game photos keep an eye on the club’s Twitter account at @CTFCofficial. You can also check out the latest on the club’s Facebook page and view full reaction and the match report on the club website after the game.

Listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and online via iFollow.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Full-time: Robins 1-3 Tranmere Rovers - highlights & report

12 January 2019

Apologies, this video is unvailable.

Three second half goals from Tranmere Rovers ensured they came behind to seal a 3-1 victory against Cheltenham Town at the Jonny Rocks Stadium.

The Robins took the lead in the first half through Luke Varney, but goals from Norwood, Miller and Banks guided Micky Melon’s side to a victory.

Cheltenham couldn’t see out their lead after a good first half where Michael Duff’s side controlled possession.

The loss means Cheltenham remain 18^thahead of next Saturday’s trip to Carlisle United.

Returning to the starting line-up, Ryan Broom had the first early chance for Cheltenham. His attempted cross drifted towards goal and ended up hitting the crossbar, much to the surprise of goalkeeper Scott Davies.

Broom was at the heart of the action early on, fans called for a penalty when Broom went down, but the winger was booked for diving.

Tranmere then began to create a few chances of their own. First Ishmael Miller squeezed a shot through Ben Tozer’s legs from inside the box and rolled just wide, before James Norwood’s early shot aimed to catch Flinders by surprise, but the Cheltenham number one got down to it well.

Cheltenham came back, as the half went on it was the home team that looked in control. Jacob Maddox found himself on the end of a deflected through ball, he cut the ball for Broom who’s shot was blocked. It went back to Maddox, but his quick shot went wide.

Still Tranmere came pushing for the opener, Ishmael Miller was next to be set free, through one on one with Flinders, it was the latter who came out on top with a good save to deny the forward.

But it was the Robins who broke the deadlock in the 42^nd minute. Connor Thomas produced a wonderful flick through to Luke Varney and the forward made no mistake slotting past Davies.

55 seconds into the restart James Norwood equalised in front of the travelling fans, his first effort was blocked, but his second effort went straight past Flinders and into the left of the net.

Cheltenham tried to reclaim the lead from a well worked corner routine, Chris Hussey’s eventual shot was cleared off the line.

Tranmere started the second half the better of the two sides, Norwood again came close, his shot towards the top corner was well saved by Scott Flinders.

Ishmael Miller again came forward to test Flinders, this time Ben Tozer did enough to block his shot into Flinders’ hands.

Miller then got his goal, after a good piece of play from James Norwood to win the ball against Chris Hussey, Norwood hit a shot which was parried by Flinders, and Miller was there to tap home.

Billy Waters came on with 20 minutes to go, but just two minutes later Tranmere got their third. Oliver banks capitalising on a poor clearance, slotting home to Flinders right.

Cheltenham kept pushing to get back into the game, but the Tranmere defence stayed firm, Alex Addai and Waters tried to stretch the back line late on, but neither could create any significant goalscoring chances.

ROBINS (3-5-2): Flinders; Tozer (c), Forster, Hussey; Pring (Bower 77), Clements, Thomas, Maddox (Waters 70), Broom; Barnett (Addai 77), Varney. Subs not used: Lovett, Dawson, Lloyd, Alcock.

TRANMERE ROVERS 3-5-2: Davies; McNulty (c), Monthe, Ellis; Ridehalgh, Banks (Harris 77), McCullugh, Perkins, Caprice; Norwood, Miller (Mullin 70). Subs not used: Pilling, Buxton, Harris, Smith, Gilmour, Bakayogo.

Attendance: 3104 (471 from Tranmere)

Match Reports

Cheltenham Town FC

Standings

Match pack: Tranmere Rovers (H)

Full-time: Robins 1-3 Tranmere Rovers - highlights & report