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Tranmere hosted Walsall today in their latest fixture in the 2022/23 League Two season.
Despite the busy schedule over the festive period, games now tend to be once every seven days, which gives Mellon’s players the time to prepare for upcoming fixtures.
Ahead of the game, Micky Mellon said, “It gives us more time to work on things, and gives the players more time to recover. We’d rather play games, but we’re making good use of the time that we’ve got between games.”
Since the opening of the January Transfer Window two weeks ago, we have seen the departures of Ross Doohan, Dynel Simeu, Elliott Nevitt and Neill Byrne.
Match Report: Tranmere Rovers v Walsall
Tranmere had to make do with a share of the points after a hard-fought game against Walsall ended one-a-piece at Prenton Park this afternoon.
Rovers’ first chance before five minutes were on the clock. Kieron Morris’ shot from outside the box was a great effort, but it missed to the right.
Tranmere had greater possession in the first half and trying to take advantage, Tom Davies’ tried a header from the centre of the box, but it failed to count as it went wide to the right at 18 minutes.
Davies had another go at goal just before half time, but his shot was saved by Walsall keeper, Owen Evans.
After the restart, Jake Burton was caught offside, on the receiving end of a through ball from Ethan Bristow.
Walsall had a couple of attempts at goal before Tranmere’s next chance, when a shot from outside the box by Morris was blocked.
Just shy of 70 minutes, former Tranmere man, Emmanuel Monthe tried a header towards the goal but it didn’t trouble Mateusz Hewelt, as it was a little high.
Minutes later, the deadlock was broken when against the run of play, Walsall’s Danny Johnson fired a shot from the right side of the box, lobbing Hewelt into the centre of the goal.
Less than five minutes later Walsall were reduced to 10 men when Manny Monthe was given a second yellow card for a bad foul.
The resulting free-kick on the edge of the box, taken by Josh Hawkes was a 20-yard rocket that Owen Evans couldn’t stop.
Tranmere kept the pressure on but couldn’t break the deadlock against 10-man Walsall and as the final whistle ble, the home side had to settle for a share of the points.
Tranmere visit Doncaster Rovers for a 3pm kick off on Saturday 21 January in their next game of the 2022/23 League Two season.
Match Highlights
Following soon …
Gallery
Fans’ Twitter Reaction
@Joshhawkes5 DONT GO PLEASE #trfc #SWA— pmn (@pmnn05) January 14, 2023
@Joshhawkes5 DONT GO PLEASE #trfc #SWA
Another one we deserved to win #SWA— Gaz 🇸🇱 ⚽️🏉🏴🎸🎧 (@SterTrfc) January 14, 2023
Another one we deserved to win #SWA
Handbrake still not taken off, against 10 men, at home. Depressing. #tranmere— Mike Deeble (@mikedeeble) January 14, 2023
Handbrake still not taken off, against 10 men, at home. Depressing. #tranmere
Bit of a funny one that. Disappointing that it's points dropped but overall the performance was decent. Desperately need a finisher though, with that we cruise that match #TRFC #SWA— Mike (@Mike1884_) January 14, 2023
Bit of a funny one that. Disappointing that it's points dropped but overall the performance was decent. Desperately need a finisher though, with that we cruise that match #TRFC #SWA
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Post Match Interview
Line-ups
Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-4-223 Mateusz Hewelt GK2 Josh Dacres-Cogley DF3 Ethan Bristow DF5 Tom Davies DF14 Jordan Turnbull DF6 Chris Merrie MF11 Josh Hawkes MF4 Lee O’Connor MF7 Kieron Morris MF10 Kane Hemmings (C) FW25 Joel Mumbongo FW
Substitutes13 Joe Murphy SUB18 Kyle Jameson SUB17 Rhys Hughes SUB8 Reece McAlear SUB16 Jon Nolan SUB20 Brad Walker SUB27 Jake Burton SUB
ManagerMicky Mellon
Match OfficialsReferee: Declan BourneAssistants: Billy Smallwood and Alan ClaytonFourth official: Danny Gratton
Walsall – Formation 3-4-1-21 Owen Evans GK6 Emmanuel Monthe DF5 Donervon Daniels (C) DF2 Hayden White DF10 Tom Knowles MF3 Liam Gordon MF8 Liam Kinsella MF23 Isaac Hutchinson MF14 Brandon Comley FW16 Jacob Maddox FW39 Danny Johnson FW
Substitutes24 Joe Low SUB18 Oisin McEntee SUB21 Taylor Allen SUB31 Robbie Willmott SUB15 Douglas James-Taylor SUB9 Conor Wilkinson SUB11 Andy Williams SUB
ManagerMichael Flynn
Attendance: 6027
League Table
League 2 season attendance
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