Wirral's independent local news website
Tranmere visited Gillingham this afternoon in their latest fixture in the 2022/23 League Two season.
Ahead of the game, Micky Mellon said, “We want to win every game that we play, and we’ll try to keep the run going and attack every game, we’ll continue to do that and that’s the correct attitude, as long as we’re working hard, and we want to set up well and be difficult to beat.
“Gillingham have tried to get themselves out of the predicament that they are in. They’ve got a good manager, I know Neil really well and they’ve started to get away from the bottom end of the table.
“They’ve become stubborn and tough to beat and they are getting clean sheets, so we know it will be a tough time.
“If we create the chances, and the chances are there, it’s no use me saying that we create chances, it’s about showing that composure, getting good contact and scoring goals which have made Tranmere successful in the past because of it, so it’s important the players keep working hard, and we’ll find a way.”
Match Report: Gillingham v Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere came back from Gillingham empty-handed today after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the Priestfield Stadium.
Shaun Williams and Conor Masterson unexpectedly emerged as heroes in Gillingham’s home triumph over Tranmere, helping them climb nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Harvey Saunders had the first opportunity for Tranmere when he connected with a high cross from Chris Merrie on the left side, but his header lacked the necessary strength to challenge Morris in the Gillingham goal.
At the 30-minute mark, Regan Hendry advanced into the Gillingham half and then passed it wide to Dacres-Cogley, who was overlapping. Dacres-Cogley’s low cross was deflected narrowly past the far post.
Shortly after, the home team took the lead, as Alex MacDonald delivered a corner kick from the left, and Shaun Williams was unmarked and able to head the ball forcefully past Murphy and into the Tranmere goal.
As halftime approached, Regan Hendry once again took the ball into the Gillingham penalty area, passing it to Josh Hawkes who’s curling shot missed the target high and wide.
In the closing minutes of the match, Gillingham sealed their victory. Shaun Williams sent a cross from an unconventional position on the left, and Jack Masterson was unchallenged as he fired the ball into the net from a short distance, securing all three points for Neil Harris’ team.
Tranmere host Newport County for a 3pm kick off on Saturday 18 March in their next game of the 2022/23 League Two season.
Match Highlights
Gallery
Credit: Tony Coombes
Fans’ Twitter Reaction
We’ve got 5 home games left and I don’t even know if I can be bothered going, and I’ve got a season ticket.— Matt Hibbert (@MattHibbert) March 11, 2023
We’ve got 5 home games left and I don’t even know if I can be bothered going, and I’ve got a season ticket.
Honestly can’t take one positive from that load of rubbish today, from both the management and players, there’s nowhere to hide 😟💩 #SWA #TRFC ⚽️— Martin Ellis (@TheSmartRover) March 11, 2023
Honestly can’t take one positive from that load of rubbish today, from both the management and players, there’s nowhere to hide 😟💩 #SWA #TRFC ⚽️
Bring a positive manager in and that squad works that’s a fact, merrie is no wide player, a little bit of switching around and it works hawkes on the right instead of left be so much better and more direct get crosses in first time instead of coming back on to his right foot #SWA— Ray Cox (@RayC3785) March 11, 2023
Bring a positive manager in and that squad works that’s a fact, merrie is no wide player, a little bit of switching around and it works hawkes on the right instead of left be so much better and more direct get crosses in first time instead of coming back on to his right foot #SWA
Don’t mind getting beat as a tranmere fan. It’s the way in which you get beat. That was an insult to the people of the Wirral and our fans. He doesn’t even change the formation. I don’t hate you mellon but you need to leave this football club. #SWA— SD39 (@Davisb5ksc) March 11, 2023
Don’t mind getting beat as a tranmere fan. It’s the way in which you get beat. That was an insult to the people of the Wirral and our fans. He doesn’t even change the formation. I don’t hate you mellon but you need to leave this football club. #SWA
It's seriously hard work supporting Tranmere these days 😩#TRFC #SWA— Pete B 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@happytyskie) March 11, 2023
It's seriously hard work supporting Tranmere these days 😩#TRFC #SWA
On a positive we are only 8 points off the playoffs. Its all to play for, starting Saturday. #SWA— Brian Robinson (@BrianRobbo1969) March 11, 2023
On a positive we are only 8 points off the playoffs. Its all to play for, starting Saturday. #SWA
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Post Match Interview
Line-ups
Gillingham – Formation 4-4-21 Glenn Morris GK2 Cheye Alexander DF3 David Tutonda DF5 Max Ehmer DF23 Conor Masterson DF6 Shaun Williams (C) MF7 Alexander MacDonald MF38 Timothee Dieng MF49 George Lapslie MF20 Tom Nichols FW28 Oliver Hawkins FWSubstitutes25 Jake Turner SUB4 Will Wright SUB18 Ethan Coleman SUB16 Dom Jefferies SUB35 Tristan Abrahams SUB44 Aiden O’Brien SUB
ManagerNeil Harris
Match OfficialsReferee: Andy WoolmerAssistants: Andrew Fox and Matthew McGrathFourth official: Tom Reeves
Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-4-213 Joe Murphy GK2 Josh Dacres-Cogley DF3 Ethan Bristow DF18 Kyle Jameson DF14 Jordan Turnbull (C) DF24 Regan Hendry MF6 Chris Merrie MF4 Lee O’Connor MF11 Josh Hawkes MF26 Harvey Saunders FW27 Jake Burton FWSubstitutes23 Mateusz Hewelt SUB29 Max Fisher SUB33 Jay Turner-Cook SUB19 Logan Chalmers SUB25 Joel Mumbongo SUB
ManagerMicky Mellon
Attendance: 5674
League Table
League 2 season attendance
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