Tranmere reach second round of EFL Cup

Tranmere visited League One Barnsley yesterday evening in the First Round North of the EFL Cup.

Match Report: Barnsley v Tranmere Rovers

Barnsley 2	v	2 Tranmere Rovers
Kane (45’+3) Marsh (90’+8)	Goals	Norris (23′) Taylor (47‎’)‎
Russell (45’+3) Winfield (90’+8)	Assists	Davies (23′) Dennis (47′)
Marsh Jalo Chapman Nejman Cotter Lopata Killip Shepherd	HT 1-1 Tranmere Rovers win 7-6 on penalties	Hawkes Jennings Hemmings Hendry McAlear Saunders Leake Lewis

Tranmere advanced to the second round of the EFL Carabao Cup by prevailing over League One Barnsley in a penalty shootout 7-6, following a 2-2 stalemate at Oakwell.

Luke Norris opened the scoring during his inaugural start for the club at the 24-minute mark, followed by Herbie Kane’s equalizer for the home team just prior to the halftime whistle.

Sam Taylor reclaimed the lead for Rovers with a strike from 20 yards out, only to be countered by a 98th-minute equalizer from Tykes substitute Aiden Marsh.

Norris and Kristian Dennis had their inaugural competitive starts for Rovers; however, it was Taylor who stood out the most in the initial phases. He skillfully maneuvered past three defenders, entering the box and attempting a shot that was ultimately obstructed.

Tranmere persisted in exerting pressure on their League One counterparts. A shot by Norris was met with a low save by Ben Killip, while both Taylor and Dennis failed to find the mark with their attempts just five minutes later.

Nonetheless, the visitors’ dominance was duly recognized as Norris marked his debut goal for the Club. A well-executed free kick found its way to Tom Davies at the distant post, who deftly headed the ball across for the number nine to capitalize on, thereby initiating the scoring.

However Barnsley’s Kane managed to equalize the scores during the third minute of extra time. He unleashed a shot that bounced off the ground, catching Joe Murphy off guard, resulting in the ball being deflected over the goal line.

Rovers wasted no time in issuing a swift reply right after halftime. Taylor, who had exhibited an impressive display up to that moment, struck the crossbar with a header before promptly locating the far corner of the net mere seconds later with a 20-yard shot.

The hosts’ last-minute push eventually paid off, with Marsh skillfully guiding a shot past Murphy in the eighth minute of added time, leaving the score at 2-2.

Tranmere kicked off the penalty shootout flawlessly, with Josh Hawkes converting confidently, while Marsh, the earlier scorer, saw his penalty saved. Nonetheless, the looming prospect of sudden death emerged as Regan Hendry’s attempt was thwarted.

Paul Lewis increased Rovers’ tally to 7-6, before Jack Shepherd’s shot for Barnsley soared over the crossbar, securing Ian Dawes’ side a well-deserved spot in the second round.

Tranmere visit Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday 12 August for their second game of the 2023/24 League Two season.

Match Highlights

Gallery

Credit: Tony Coombes

Fans’ Twitter Reaction

Post Match Interview

Line-ups

League Table

League 2 season attendance (League games only)

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