Tranmere will be looking for an instant reply against Stockport County after a disappointing loss to Carlisle at the weekend.
Rovers had been on a hot run of form up until the defeat to the Cumbrians on Saturday. They now turn their attention to County on Tuesday evening, who have won four of their last five games.
Micky Mellon’s side are 11th in League Two, three places above their opponents, who sit in 14th. Tranmere are currently only three points off sixth placed Bradford with the same number of games played and will be looking to recover from the weekend loss and push themselves back into contention for a play off place.
Recent form
Ahead of Carlisle’s arrival at Prenton Park, Rovers had been on a seven-game unbeaten run, pushing themselves back into play off contention having beaten the likes of Barrow and Walsall. But in drawing two games against Harrogate and Rochdale, who both sit just outside the relegation places, a win against Carlisle was needed.
However, that defeat showed Tranmere they still have work to do. Whilst having the lion’s share of possession and creating more chances, they needed to be more clinical in front of goal. Rovers only notched up three shots on target in total, the same as their Cumbrian opponents.
After a steady start to the season following promotion from the National League last term, Stockport have started to put a run of form together. They have been ruthless in their last three games having scored seven goals and conceding none and will be looking to set a marker on the league. Like Tranmere, they also harbour hopes of being in the mix for the play-offs at the end of the season.
The last meeting
The last meeting between the two sides was controversial. Tranmere had been knocked out of the Johnstone’s paint trophy by Accrington Stanley. However, Accrington had fielded a suspended player, Ray Puterill, therefore they had to withdraw from the competition. Tranmere were reinstated, facing County in the second round. Tranmere eventually won 4-3 on penalties after the two sides failed to score during the 90 minutes and extra time.
Key players
Elliott Nevitt and Kane Hemmings have been a formidable front two for Tranmere this season, with 10 goals between them. If Stockport are going to take all three points at Prenton Park, they will have to contain them! Goalkeeper, Ross Doohan, has kept clean sheets in eight of the 13 matches so far. This will be important for Tranmere as the season progresses.
Stockport captain, Paddy Madden, is one to watch, racking up eight goal contributions this season. Ben Hinchcliffe has four clean sheets in his last four matches and is looking to make it five on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Calum Macdonald, a former Tranmere Rovers player, may have a point to prove!
