Tranmere secure win over Barrow

Tranmere hosted Barrow today for a 3pm kick-off in their latest fixture in the 2022/23 League Two season.

Ahead of the game, Micky Mellon said, “The tough thing about football is that you quickly have to move on and get on with it. Quite quickly after the last game, you’re preparing for the next one and getting the team recovered and ready for the next one.

“We’ve got people in the team doing their jobs well, it’s all about the players. The players have roles to do and it’s up to them to go and perform and that’s how you get clean sheets and win games. 

“There’s still a lot to do, of course. We have talented players in the building, they’re still learning about each other and the staff are still learning about them. They’re showing the consistency at the minute, right the way through the team but there’s still a lot of room for growth.

“The players have done a lot of resting this week because we’ve just had a busy spell and we’re about to go into another one so you have to get the balance and intensity right. It has been good for the group to have a mental and physical breather when needed.”

Match Report: Tranmere Rovers v Barrow

Tranmere Rovers 1 v 0 Barrow
Hawkes (25′)Goals
Morris (25′)Assists
HT 1-0

A 25th-minute Josh Hawkes goal earned Tranmere victory over Barrow at Prenton Park this afternoon.

The first 20 minutes was a little cagey from both sides, but Kieren Morris found Hawkes with a fine wide ball and Hawkes fired a low strike across the goal, beating Barrow keeper, Paul Farman in the bottom corner of his net.

Tranmere’s confidence grew following Hawkes’ goal, but despite another attempt at goal from Hawkes and a crack at goal from Elliott Nevitt, as the whistle blew for half time, the score remained 1-0 for the hosts.

The second half started at a fast pace and just one minute in, Barrow defender George Ray headed over Tranmere’s bar from the centre of the box following a corner.

Then it was Rovers’ turn to turn on the pressure. Efforts from Elliott Nevitt and Kane Hemmings were both denied and just a couple of minutes later, Jordan Turnbull’s header was saved – but Tranmere were clearly in control.

Tireless Nevitt had another attempt at the 70 minute mark, when his shot from outside the box struck the post. A further effort from Nevitt eight minutes later was blocked, denying him the chance to add his name to the scoresheet.

Dynel Simeu saw both of his headed efforts at 80 and 85 minutes fail to find the back of the net, but will do nothing to harm his reputation and admiration of Tranmere fans.

The single Hawkes goal proved to be enough for the hosts, who recorded not only the win, but also a sixth clean sheet in nine matches.

Tranmere host Leeds United U21s on Tuesday 4 October for a 7pm kick off in the EFL Trophy. Their next game of the League Two season is away to Sutton United on Saturday 8 October.

Fans’ Twitter Reaction

Match Highlights

Post Match Interviews

League Table



Gallery

Credit: Tony Coombes
Credit: Tony Coombes
Credit: Tony Coombes
Credit: Tony Coombes
Credit: Tony Coombes

Line-ups

Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-4-2
1 Ross Doohan GK
2 Josh Dacres-Cogley DF
3 Ethan Bristow DF
26 Dynel Simeu DF
14 Jordan Turnbull DF
4 Lee O’Connor MF
7 Kieron Morris MF
6 Chris Merrie MF
11 Josh Hawkes MF
20 Elliott Nevitt FW
10 Kane Hemmings (C) FW

Substitutes
23 Mateusz Hewelt SUB
19 Neill Byrne SUB
17 Rhys Hughes SUB
22 Paul Lewis SUB
8 Reece McAlear SUB
16 Jon Nolan SUB
27 Jake Burton SUB

Manager
Micky Mellon

Match Officials
Referee:
Sam Purkiss
Assistants: Danny Gratton and Alex Gray
Fourth official: James Bell

Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-3-3
1 Paul Farman GK
21 Tyrell Warren DF
3 Patrick Brough DF
25 George Ray DF
6 Niall Canavan (C) DF
16 Sam Foley MF
14 Harrison Neal MF
15 Robbie Gotts MF
10 Josh Gordon FW
34 Ben Whitfield FW
13 Tom White FW

Substitutes
12 Josh Lillis SUB
20 Myles Kenlock SUB
5 Sam McClelland SUB
8 Solomon Nwabuokei SUB
35 Jordan Stevens SUB
23 David Moyo SUB

Manager
Pete Wild

Attendance: 6123

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