Tranmere visited Mansfield this afternoon for a 3pm kick-off in their second game of the 2022/23 League 2 season.
Ahead of the game, Micky Mellon said, “We spoke about fighting harder and being the type of player you’ve been brought to Tranmere to be. We’re fighting hard to play the type of football that we’ve set out to play and I don’t think we did enough of that last week. We possibly weren’t brave enough at times so we’re encouraging them to get on the ball and not to worry about making mistakes.
“On the other side of that is the physical side of the game; winning headers, knockdowns, pressing and tackling. That’s a big part of the game. It’s all about encouraging them and telling them that’s the type of team we want to be.
“In training, as we were last Thursday, they’ve trained really well and been very good at the things we’re capable of and know it’s all about putting it all together for another big game at the weekend.”
Match Report: Mansfield Town v Tranmere Rovers
| Mansfield Town 1 |  v  | 0 Tranmere Rovers |
| Harbottle (60′) | Goals | |
| Boateng (60′) | Assists | |
| HT 0-0 |
It was another defeat for Tranmere Rovers today as they lost to Mansfield at Field Mill, leaving Tranmere second from bottom, just ahead of Crawley on goals scored.
Tranmere did come close to opening the scoring at the half-hour mark, when a left-footed shot from Kane Hemmings from the left side of the box was saved by Mansfield keeper, Christy Pym.
However, that was Tranmere’s only shot on target during the first half while Mansfield managed to get four shots on target at the other end before the half-time whistle.
The crowd had to wait until the 60th minute for the deadlock to be broken through a header from Harbottle from a corner but Boateng. Seemingly, Rovers are still struggling to handle set pieces.
Tranmere pushed forward for an equaliser and some holes could be found through their defence, but Mansfield couldn’t quite take advantage.
Ollie Clarke struck Doohan’s near post and the Tranmere keeper went on to produce an outstanding close-range save from Lucas Atkins.
At the final whistle, the hosts took all three points.
Tranmere’s next game is in the Caribao Cup on Tuesday 9 August, when the visit Acctington Stanley for a 7:45pm kick off. Rovers host Gillingham for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 13 August in their next 2022/23 League 2 fixture.
Gallery
Post-match Interview
Fan’s Twitter reaction
League Table
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Mansfield Town – Formation 3-5-2
1 Christy Pym GK
6 Riley Harbottle DF
12 Oliver Hawkins DF
35 John-Joe O’Toole DF
7 Lucas Akins MF
3 Stephen McLaughlin (C) MF
44 Hiram Boateng MF
16 Stephen Quinn MF
10 George Maris MF
9 Jordan Bowery FW
18 Rhys Oates FW
Substitutes
13 Scott Flinders SUB
4 Elliott Hewitt SUB
8 Ollie Clarke SUB
2 Kellan Gordon SUB
5 Anthony Hartigan SUB
32 George Lapslie SUB
26 Will Swan SUB
Manager
Nigel Clough
Match Officials
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
Assistants: Richard Wigglesworth and Stephen Wade
Fourth official: Sam Lewis
Tranmere Rovers – Formation 5-3-2
1 Ross Doohan GK
2 Josh Dacres-Cogley DF
3 Ethan Bristow DF
21 Luke Robinson DF
18 Kyle Jameson DF
19 Neill Byrne DF
8 Reece McAlear MF
4 Lee O’Connor MF
22 Paul Lewis MF
10 Kane Hemmings (C) FW
20 Elliott Nevitt FW
Substitutes
23 Mateusz Hewelt SUB
15 Ben Hockenhull SUB
11 Josh Hawkes SUB
17 Rhys Hughes SUB
6 Chris Merrie SUB
16 Jon Nolan SUB
32 Samuel Taylor SUB
Manager
Micky Mellon
Attendance: 7128
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