Tranmere visited Notts County this afternoon in their fifth fixture of the 2023/24 League Two season.
Ahead of the game, Ian Dawes said, “If you look over the course of the four games, we’ve shown we can score goals and stay tight at the back. We’ve just got to get the balance right between the two.”
“It’s been good to get a full week’s training. You’ve got to learn a lot in-game and in the analysis room. This week we’ve been able to prepare on the grass, so that’s been good.
“We’re hoping we might get one or two coming in and there might be one or two going out over the next few days. The loan market’s been really slow, Premier League clubs have been slower letting players out on loan due to the volume of games.
“Notts County have got a modern-day manager and they play modern-day football. Their style of play is really open and expansive, they try and dominate the ball and they’re good at what they do. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready to manage that and cause them problems.”
Match Report: Notts County v Tranmere Rovers
 Notts County 2 | v | 1 Tranmere Rovers  |
| McGoldrick (12′) Rawlinson (65′) | Goals | Hawkes (88′) |
| Palmer (65′) | Assists | Lewis (88′) |
| HT 1-0 |
Tranmere lost at Notts County this afternoon, despite almost snatching a point towards the end of the game.
There were a number of alterations made to the lineup compared to the team that started for the 4-3 loss to Salford City last weekend. Chris Merrie made his comeback, taking the place of Lee O’Connor, while Charlie Jolley, who was making his first league start in a year and a half, substituted for Luke Norris.
The home team took an early advantage when David McGoldrick defeated Luke McGee with a precise low shot from the outer edge of the penalty area. In the second half, their lead was extended as Connell Rawlinson easily scored from close range after tapping in a cross from Matt Palmer.
In the latter stages of the match, Josh Hawkes rekindled optimism for the visiting team by successfully capitalizing on Paul Lewis’ well-placed pass. Despite enduring late pressure, County successfully fended off the challenges to clinch the victory.
Aaron Nemane was creating difficulties for Rovers on the wing, managing to bypass the defense on two occasions and delivering crosses into the penalty area. Yet, Tom Davies was able to handle these crosses effectively.
Nevertheless, the home team quickly made a breakthrough. McGoldrick executed a flawless, low shot from the edge of the box, beating McGee and securing the lead after 12 minutes.
Macaulay Langstaff’s attempt at goal was thwarted on the goal line by Connor Jennings. Shortly after, he missed a shot from just a few yards away.
As the game progressed towards the half-hour mark, Tranmere started to find a little rhythm. Kieron Morris connected with a superb long pass from the defence but unfortunately sent his shot over the crossbar after entering the penalty box.
Davies jumped up to connect with a cross from the right side. Unfortunately, his effort only resulted in the ball landing in the hands of Aidan Stone, just as the halftime whistle was blown.
With an hour played, McGoldrick struck the post from the edge of the box. Following that, Dan Crowley missed the target from just a few yards away.
Shortly thereafter, County extended their lead. Rawlinson tapped in Palmer’s fierce cross, doubling their lead.
Dawes made four changes, introducing Kane Hemmings, Hawkes, Sam Taylor, and Reece McAlear into the game, while the hosts were reduced to ten men as substitute Cedwyn Scott was forced off with all subs already made.
Rovers had the best of the final ten minutes, Davies hit the bar with a curling shot from range, and Taylor went close shortly afterwards, after Hemmings set up the young forward inside the box.
Hawkes swept home Lewis’ delivery from the right to give Tranmere hope as the 90 approached, but the Magpies held on for eight minutes of added time to secure the points.
Tranmere host Leicester in the EFL cup on Tuesday 29 August and host Wrexham in League 2 on Saturday 2 September for their sixth game of the 2023/24 League Two season.
Match Highlights
Gallery
Credit: Tony Coombes
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Line-ups
Notts County – Formation 3-4-3
26 Aidan Stone GK
4 Kyle Cameron (C) DF
2 Richard Brindley DF
5 Connell Rawlinson DF
11 Aaron Nemane MF
10 Jodi Jones MF
18 Matthew Palmer MF
16 John Bostock MF
9 Macaulay Langstaff FW
7 Daniel Crowley FW
17 David McGoldrick FW
Substitutes
1 Sam Slocombe SUB
21 Tobi Adebayo-Rowling SUB
15 Aden Baldwin SUB
23 Adam Chicksen SUB
8 Sam Austin SUB
6 Jim O’Brien SUB
19 Cedwyn Scott SUB
Manager
Luke Williams
Match Officials
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Assistants: Richard Woodward and Andrew Aylott
Fourth official: Thomas Harty