Now I would walk 500 miles...

September 2023 Summary

A hectic month in the National League where we played seven games in 28 days!

We started this schedule with a trip back to the North East where we would be hosted by a Gateshead side that hadn't won in their opening four games. The team had been forced into a change of the starting eleven when attacking midfielder Carlo Banks picked up a hamstring strain in training which would keep him out for the month. This meant Jake Collier dropped back to attacking midfielder with new signing Blair Henderson leading the line. They took the lead in the 22nd minute when Ogunseri slid in to convert an Austin free kick. With the rain teeming it down, we equalised in first half injury time when Cedwyn Scott provided the low cross and Henderson provided the poacher's finish for 1-1. It wasn't the best game but they went back ahead with twenty minutes to go, a stupendous strike by Connor Tomlinson that gave Thomas Hanlon no chance. We couldn't respond and as a result suffered our first loss of the season.

A couple of nights later, we had the local derby against Wrexham on BT Sport. In front of 8000 fans, Wrexham took the lead after just eight minutes when Michael (no relation to Myleene I'm sure) Klass blasted a shot that crashed onto the underside of the bar and in! They were 2-0 ahead in the 24th minute when Sunderland and Hartlepool flop Mikaël Mandron headed in from a corner. To be honest, we needed a wake up call and were second best all night. Perhaps the Gateshead shock had really rattled the lads. We were handed a lifeline after 51 minutes when Paul Mullin was tripped in the area, and Collier duly obliged from twelve yards out. It seemed to revitalise the team and they were level five minutes later to make it 2-2 when Scott played the ball ahead for Henderson to take a touch and blast it into the roof of the net. Two in two for the Scot. Neither could get the winner after that, and we shook hands on a draw.

After suffering Irn-Bru Cup anguish, we were back in league action to host another former league side in Port Vale. There was no sign of Robbie Williams in the directors box when they went ahead in 44 seconds through Dominic Bernard's first goal of the season. We needed a quick response and got it after seven minutes when Constable did some real criminal defending of his own, clearing the ball straight to Mullin who needed no invitation to take a touch and then bend the ball beyond the reach of Hornby and into the far corner. But we were behind again after 19 minutes, some dodgy defending of our own and Bernard found the net with an accurate finish. Three minutes later, we made it 2-2 when a corner by Mullin was volleyed in by Durrant to mark his league debut with a goal. Despite going in level the lads were told in no certain terms they needed to up it and produce a better second half. The response was spot on, and we were ahead after 51 minutes when Jon Murray was fouled in the area. Up stepped Mullin and he produced the perfect penalty. We couldn't add more after that but some dogged defending saw us home for three points.

A trip to Bromley would then follow, and a bit of a goal fest to be honest. We were ahead after just four minutes, Caleb Richards with a delightful left wing cross and Collier
headed in from six yards out. Ten minutes from half time, we had another. Durrant caught the keeper out of his near post to arrow an effort from the edge of the area. Some start for the former Blackburn midfielder. They had obviously had a few words said to them at the break as they came out really fired up and we couldn't handle it to be honest with Jordan Brown and Swede Henrik Johansson scoring within six minutes of each. We thought we had secured the points with seven minutes to go, substitute Alex Denny with an accurate finish from outside the box. But we shot ourselves in the foot with just a couple of minutes to go, some real dozy defence work allowed Brown to score his second of the game and make it 3-3. And that's how it ended.

A comprehensive first half performance was behind a 3-1 win at home to Morecambe in our next match. We were ahead in the third minute when a free kick from Murray was palmed out by Jefferies to Nnamdi Ofoborh and the defensive midfielder poached the rebound home. A fine counter attack was behind the second goal just two minutes; Mullin with the cross at the end and who else was it but Durrant; six yards out and unmarked; to provide the finish. Then just as the fourth official was to appear with their board, we added a third on half time when a Murray wasn't properly dealt with by the Shrimps defence and central defender Christian Mbulu headed in. They scored a consolation with virtually the last kick of the game through Jonah Aynuga but three more vital points banked.

The battle of the two relegated clubs would be the penultimate game of the month, and despite being outplayed for the majority of the game: we came away with the points thanks to a 75th minute winner and you can guess who scored it. As the Cumbrians defence backed off, Durrant took them on and hit a shot which thudded against the post. It rebounded back to the midfielder and this time he made no mistake. Definitely a game that Carlisle will be left wondering how they didn't take something out of it.

We would finish with a home game against another former league side in Leyton Orient, and all the goals would come in a frenetic second half. Three minutes into it, Scott with a low cross and Collier tucked away his seventh of the season from six yards out. However, the O's were the better side on the day and were deservedly level after 55 minutes when Kian Spence, a player I had looked at, equalised. Three minutes after that, we were undone at a set piece and left back Arthur O'Sullivan scored a fine goal. Another set piece would put them 3-1 ahead when O'Connell provided the corner (and his third assist) for defender Shadrach Ogie headed in. We gained a glimmer of hope with six minutes to go, Henderson with the left wing cross and Durrant again made the run to score. Six goals in six games for the lad! But could we find a leveller? Could we heck, and we slipped to our second league loss of the season.

So September ends like this:


A bit of an up and down month but we are still in the top placings even if Fylde have opened a bit of a gap. If we stay in this spot at the end of the season then I wouldn't find any reason to complain. Last season, Grenoble in France had a similar start and you know what happened after that for Le Mans. Perhaps something similar could happen on the Wirral? Would be grand for sure.

September's awards in the National League.

Goal of the Month:


Third placed for Alex for his cracker at Bromley, could have easily have won it on any other day.

No other award nominations for us, guess if he had been in the side at the start of the month then maybe Sam Durrant would have had a shout for either Player or Young Player of the Month. After all, he's made an excellent start with six goals in as many games. Not bad for a midfielder!

Wales Under-21 manager Mark Duell today released his 23 man squad for their European Under-21 Championship campaign. The only change from the side that was named last month sees Notts County's injured Craig Sampson be replaced by Wrexham's Connor Coyne:.

Goalkeepers:
Scott Williams (Scunthorpe United)
Jack Jackson (Cardiff City)
David Robson (Hull City)

Defenders:
Jamie Evans (Lincoln City)
Jonathan Letheren (Swansea City)
Sam Edwards (Swansea City)
Tom McCarthy (Cardiff City)
George Armstrong (Eastleigh, on loan from Portsmouth)
Stuart Wright (Swansea City)
Josh Hill (Colchester United, on loan from Cardiff City)

Midfielders:
Lloyd Holden (Aston Villa)
Gavin Nichols (Airbus UK Broughton)
Owen Beck (TNS)
Dion Tipton (unattached)
Darren Hewitt (Charlton Athletic)
Connor Coyne (Wrexham)
Sion Pulis (unattached)
John Eaton (Leyton Orient, on loan from Colchester United)
Cory Bond (Swansea City)

Strikers:
Ian Branch (Cardiff City)
Dewi Coates (Connah's Quay Nomads)
Sam Hall (Stoke City)
Russell Burton (Cardiff City)

The first game sees the young Dragons fly to Malta and hopefully come away with an expected win there on 12 October 2023, before hosting Moldova in Cardiff four days later. Can they continue with this impressive start?

FA Cup Draw Day

Today saw Rovers get to know who they will face in the Fourth Qualifying Round of this season's Emirates FA Cup. This is the final stage before the official First Round when League One and Two sides join the fray.

Rovers were the last tie drawn out of the machine at St. George's Park, and arriving at Prenton Park will be Harrogate Town of the Vanarama National League North.

Manager Mark Duell is fully aware of the challenge posed by Harrogate:


The game will be played at Prenton Park on Saturday 21 October 2023, kick-off at 3:00pm.

Two more qualifying games for the young Dragons, can we stay unbeaten?


We were fully expected to win against bottom placed Malta, and we did exactly that even if the expected goal glut didn't actually take place. It was a thoroughly professional job by the team though so that's the main thing. In pouring down rain, we took the lead after just four minutes when winger Owen Beck beat the Maltese keeper at his near post from twelve yards out. That lead was doubled at the halfway in that opening half, Beck being upended in the area and striker Russell Burton stepped up to convert the penalty awarded. Burton had a hand in our third nine minutes from half time, his shot from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection of Malta's Ryan Tonna and in past the stranded custodian. The home nation did pull one back ten minutes after the restart when we switched off at a free kick and central defender Andre Buhagiar headed in from an acute angle at the far post. However we would have the last say with a fourth goal in the 58th minute, John Eaton's corner being headed down by Sion Pulis for man of the match Cory Bond to finish with absolute aplomb.


We absolutely dominated Moldova in Cardiff but the scoreline doesn't seem to suggest that. In ninety minutes, we racked up an astonishing 37 shots on the Moldovan goal but just over a third of them were on target. Wasteful! We should have had a hatful and improved the goal differential even better than what it stands at. The opening goal came in the 10th minute when Moldova's keeper Aurel Tudose decided to palm a Bond shot into his own net instead of over the bar. Absolute comedy gold but not funny for the lad in question, you could see he was crestfallen. The win was secured late on, with three minutes to go in fact. Substitute Dion Tipton saw his curling free kick crash against the bar but back to fellow substitute Gavin Nichols of Airbus UK Broughton and he finished from close range.

So after two rounds and four games played, these are the standings in Group 1:

Former international on trial

Rovers have today confirmed that they have taken former Northern Ireland internationalist Josh Magennis on trial for four weeks. The 33 year old spent last season at Rochdale but was released at the end of the season.

Mark Duell said this about the signing:

Carlo is the hero of the day

One goal was all it needed.

In a dour Emirates FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie, a single goal from attacking midfield prospect Carlo Banks was enough to see Rovers into the First Round proper.

The 22 year old picked up George Alfieri's low cross and produced a volley which beat the Harrogate Town goalkeeper at his near post.

Rovers shaded the game for large parts but that goal proved vital and puts them in the hat for Monday's draw.

The team was follows:

Hanlon; Alfieri, Howard, Mbulu, Eze (Richards 61); Murray ©; Durrant, Ollie Banks; Carlo Banks, Mullin (Scott 68); Henderson (Collier 74). Unused substitutes: Reynolds, Passant, Denny, Ofoborh.

Attendance: 4436 (354 away)

Away trip for Rovers

The excitement is over and we now know who we will face in the First Round proper of this season's Emirates FA Cup.

After Carlo Banks had fired us into this stage, we will be on our travels for Round One. Rovers will travel to either fellow National League side Salford City or another National League North side in Tamworth.

These two will contest a replay of their tie on Wednesday night after City rallied from two goals behind to draw 2-2 thanks to a brace from Josh Barrett.

As it stands, that First Round game will be played on Saturday 11 November 2023, kick-off at 3:00pm.

October 2023 Summary

Another busy month in the National League where we played another five league seven games.

October began with a trip to Shropshire and the New Bucks Head Stadium. It was a pretty even game in terms of chances created but they had the better of the actual possession. However possession in football means absolute nada if you don't convert the chances you have. The opener came three minutes into the second half and began with a hopeful ball forward by Paul Mullin which the home defender failed to clear and it left Jake Collier one on one with the keeper. The youngster kept his composure to fire an angled drive into the bottom corner. We secured the win with nine minutes to go, Collier turning provider this time to the on rushing Cedwyn Scott whose rising drive beat the keeper high at his near post.

Midweek saw Barrow come to Prenton Park and in need of a win to haul themselves away from the drop zone. Despite their lowly standing, they gave us a game and a half. Five minutes from half time we were ahead when Caleb Richards' well struck free kick stung the palms of the Barrow keeper and Nnamdi Ofoborh gleefully pouched home in the rebound. Actually after the game I discovered that Nnamdi is actually just one of his names, he has no less than FIVE first names so imagine trying to fit all them on the back of a jersey and include his shirt number...Barrow got a deserved equaliser midway through the second half when Harry Benns scored at the second attempt, and that was that as regards the goalscoring. It certainly felt like a couple of points dropped as we trudged off the pitch at the end.

Another struggling side in Aldershot were next, and we again failed to perform for the second successive game. In fact, Aldershot were the better side throughout and looked more like to breach our back line rather than us breach theirs. We failed to score for the first time this season, but were thankful to head back to the Wirral after a goalless draw. Again it felt like we had thrown away points we should have taken.

Things certainly didn't look improved when we hosted Barnet in the next league game. Chance after chance was wasted and to be honest you felt that points were going to be frittered away for the third successive game. But in absolutely atrocious conditions, we scored a winner with the final kick of the game. The referee looked certain to blow for full time when skipper Jon Murray played the ball forward; it then stuck in the wet turf and caught the Barnet defence out. Mullin reacted first and placed his shot into the corner and spark scenes. Three important points indeed.

A dress rehearsal for the Emirates FA Cup tie ended the month and on my birthday too. Two words sum the game up though, goal fest! Surprisingly Salford had the division's top scorer on the bench in a decision that baffled me. By the 25th minute, that decision seemed to be a great one as they led 2-0 thanks to goals from Jonah Hodgkinson in the eighth minute and then one from débutant Kian Ghaichem who is on loan from Barnsley. We pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute when Mullin crossed and Collier poached in from just inside the six yard box. Yet that was not the end of the scoring! Ghaichem's second restored the two goal advantage again after 57 minutes but two minutes later substitute Sam Durrant weighted a pass into the path of Mullin and he netted from close range.

With just 18 minutes to go, Ghaichem completed his hat-trick to make it 4-2 and it seemed like a third league loss of the season was on the wall being written. Yet we dug in, and reduced it to 4-3 in the 79th minute when Collier pulled the ball back for Ollie Banks who had made a surging run into the area and the midfielder sweetly struck it home. Could we mount a remarkable comeback and get a point? You bet we could. It came three minutes from time, and again it was Collier who created it with a ball across the area for Carlo Banks to hit on the half volley and in. Honours even at 4-4, you just have to wonder what the Cup tie will be like now.

So October finishes with the following standings:


An unbeaten month but we shouldn't have drawn those two games, we were expected to deliver and failed to do so,. Those dropped points could prove oh so vital by the time we move into the business end of the campaign. Time to kick on and start hauling in those above us if we want to go back up at the first attempt. That's my objective personally.

October's awards in the National League.

Nothing for us in terms of recognition, in fact we didn't feature in the top three in any of the categories. But these were the winners:

Manager of the Month:


Player of the Month:


Young Player of the Month:


Goal of the Month:

Wales Under-21 manager Mark Duell today released his 23 man squad for the home double header against Azerbaijan and Greece. There's just a single change from the last squad, Swansea's Stuart Wright is ruled out by injury so there's a first ever call up for Orlando City's Oliver Denham..

Goalkeepers:
Scott Williams (Scunthorpe United)
Jack Jackson (Cardiff City)
David Robson (Hull City)

Defenders:
Jamie Evans (Lincoln City)
Jonathan Letheren (Swansea City)
Sam Edwards (Swansea City)
Tom McCarthy (Cardiff City)
George Armstrong (Eastleigh, on loan from Portsmouth)
Oliver Denham (Orlando City)
Josh Hill (Colchester United, on loan from Cardiff City)

Midfielders:
Lloyd Holden (Aston Villa)
Gavin Nichols (Airbus UK Broughton)
Owen Beck (TNS)
Dion Tipton (unattached)
Darren Hewitt (Charlton Athletic)
Connor Coyne (Wrexham)
Sion Pulis (unattached)
John Eaton (Leyton Orient, on loan from Colchester United)
Cory Bond (Swansea City)

Strikers:
Ian Branch (Cardiff City)
Dewi Coates (Connah's Quay Nomads)
Sam Hall (Stoke City)
Russell Burton (Cardiff City)

Last gasp Goss denies Rovers

We are going to a replay with Salford City.

Despite being under the cosh for long periods of the game, Rovers took the lead in this Emirates FA Cup First Round encounter with a splendid strike five minutes from half time. That goal came from the boot of Carlo Banks who curled home a superb free kick from the edge of the area which was out of the reach of Jack Bycroft in the home goal.

It looked good for us with Sam Graham enjoying a steady second début in Rovers colours until the home side equalised in the final minute of time added on at the end of the match. It came from former Queens Park Rangers and Rangers player Sean Goss. The 28 year old striking a sweet effort from 22 yards that Thomas Hanlon in the Rovers goal could not get anywhere near.

The replay will be on Wednesday 22 November 2023 at Prenton Park with a kick-off time of 7:45pm.

Our team was follows:

Hanlon; Alfieri, Graham, Mbulu, Eze (Richards 48); Ofoborh; Durrant (Murray 57), Ollie Banks; Carlo Banks, Scott © (Scott 68); Mullin (Collier 68). Unused substitutes: Howard, Passant, Henderson, Iversen.

Attendance: 2992 (705 Rovers)

The final qualifying games for 2023, four remain after these.


A much changed Under 21 line up took to the field in Cardiff for the first of back to back home qualifiers. We had to change the central defensive partnership three times after injuries robbed us of Josh Hill and Stuart Wright so an untested duo of Oliver Denham and Tom McCarthy ended up being the choice. Whilst not being at our best, two early goals sealed a fifth successive group win for us. The ever impressive Cory Bond created the opener after nine minutes with a through ball that Russell Burton latched onto and then slid under the advancing keeper. Three minutes later we had our second, Sam Edwards with the cross from the left and Owen Beck got above everyone to plant a header into the net. We did have chances for more but had to settle for 2-0, a win's a win.


If the warning signs of a below par performance had sounded against Azerbaijan then they rang louder against Greece as we produced our worst performance of the campaign. The Greeks were hungry to exact revenge after our controversial win over there in September and took the lead after 16 minutes when Dardas played in Markopoulos and his shot beat Scott Williams at his near post. Whenever we had a chance in this game, we wasted it. The equaliser came nine minutes before half time; some great vision by John Eaton saw him pick out the run of Burton who took a touch before smashing the ball into net. Greece got their winner in the 77th minute when a low cross from the right was turned into his own net by the luckless McCarthy. After that they defended stoutly and there was to be no repeat of our dramatic win against them. A first defeat of the campaign and we know we need to be better if we are to finish the group on top.

This is how we stand:

Rovers see off Salford

Two early goals proved to be enough for Rovers as they moved into the Second Round of this season's Emirates FA Cup.

Rovers gave a début to right back Andràs Domokos who has joined the club on a short term loan from Coventry City until 26 January 2024. The young Hungarian slotted into the team and looked at home in his new surroundings. After three minutes; the home support were celebrating when Oliie Banks' through ball picked out top scorer Jake Collier whose first attempt was parried by Bycroft but the striker made no mistake at the second time of asking. Five minutes later, we had a second when Carlo Banks sent in a corner to the far post where it was met by man of the match Christian Mbulu who powered a header into the opposite corner.

Salford reduced the arrears early in the second half when Sean Goss, scorer of the late goal that made this replay possible, curled in a free kick that Thomas Hanlon couldn't keep out. But with Mbulu in commanding form at the back, Rovers held on for a place in round two.

Our team was follows:

Hanlon; Domokos, Howard, Mbulu, Richards (Eze 70); Ofoborh (Graham 83) ; Murray © (Durrant 58), Ollie Banks; Carlo Banks, Mullin; Collier. Unused substitutes: Scott, Passant, Henderson, Alfieri.

Attendance: 4412 (203 away)

Chorley test for Rovers

Rovers now know their opponents in the Emirates FA Cup Second Round.

It's a trip down the East Lancs Road to Victory Park to face National League North side Chorley, The Magpies produced one of the shocks in the First Round when Billy Heap's goal in first half injury time proved to be enough to see off League One and 1978 winners Ipswich Town.

Chorley are doing well in the National League North, sitting in a play off spot. Their defence is well marshalled by former Crystal Palace trainee David Gregory in goal whilst Laurence Maguire and Bradley Barry provide vital experience in defence.

The tie will be played on Saturday 2 December 2023 with a 3:00pm kick-off. This means that the away trip to Solihull Moors on that day has now been rescheduled for Tuesday 12 December 2023.

November 2023 Summary

A four game span in November which takes us to almost halfway through the season.

We started November with a tough home game against another former league side in Cambridge United, managed by Kieron Dyer. In front of almost 5000, our crowds are really good to be honest, we took the lead after just four minutes on the clock. Paul Mullin sent in a corner and Christian Mbulu came thundering in to power home his header. A second came in the 12th minute and what a goal it was. A cross from the left by Emmanuel Eze looked to have gone nowhere but Cedwyn Scott had other ideas as he produced a superb overhead kick that had everyone applauding. Ian Wright's grandson D'Margio halved the deficit just before the half hour but we did enough to start the month with another win.

After drawing in the Cup, our next test would be away to high flying Eastleigh. We knew that if we could get a result there then we could really breathe some fire into our promotion aspirations. Probably one of the best away performances would follow as we headed back to the Wirral very happy indeed. Another set piece gave us the lead after 25 minutes, Carlo Banks with the corner and this time headed in by Harrison Howard. Banks created the second too with some quality wing play before pulling the ball back for substitute Jake Collier to slide in and score his 10th of the season. John Doyle forced in a consolation with the last kick of the game but this was a huge win for sure.

We had to work hard for a win against an improving Southport, with both goals coming in the second half. We've scored some good team goals for sure and the opener was no exception whatsoever. It came in the 61st minute when Banks sent Mullin away down the right and his low cross was collected by Scott who turned and fired an unstoppable effort into the far corner. Considering we were without top scorer Collier who is out for around 5 weeks with a fractured wrist, the team responded magnificently. Substitute Sam Durrant started and finished the move which led to the second goal that clinched the points. He sent Banks scampering down the wing and then arrived unmarked to plant a stooping header out of the reach of the Southport keeper with just six minutes to go.

I decided to rest both my first choice central defenders for the midweek trip to Ebbsfleet with the Cup tie looming large on the horizon. We were ahead after just four minutes, Scott with the ball over the top which the home defence failed to deal with and Mullin provided the finish with style. Three minutes before the interval we had goal number two, Banks with the corner kick and Sam Graham pulled away from his marker to head in - it was his first ever goal for the team. Goal number three came in the 69th minute thanks to a superb free kick from Caleb Richards which left the home keeper stranded. Then we got kinda complacent and in the final eight minutes, conceded twice to goals from Rodel Richards and Roger Baxter. But we held on.

So another month finishes; this is how we stand:


A much better month with four wins from four that has really given our promotion bid a new lease of life. Now if we could have a really good December then that would be just as awesome especially since we face Fylde in it. Perhaps a mid table finish was that bit too conservative, we're starting to find a bit of form and have opened a bit a gap over fifth placed Leyton Orient. Consistency is now key.

November's National League awards.

The winners were as follows:

Manager of the Month:


Still my maiden Manager of the Month award in England eludes me. Despite having an identical 100 per cent record to Defoe, I had to settle for being runner-up. I'll have one hopefully before this campaign is out.

Player of the Month:


None of our boys got a mention on this.

Young Player of the Month:


Likewise we also drew a blank in this award too.

Goal of the Month:


So deserved for such an incredible goal, one that would have everyone purring if it had been in the Champions League. You won't see anything better than this!

Scott helps Rovers make the Third Round

A couple of goals in the first half did the trick for Rovers and sent them into the Third Round draw.

Both Harrison Howard and Christian Mbulu returned to the line up after being rested in midweek against Ebbsfleet United, with manager Mark Duell taking no chances against the team who knocked out Ipswich Town in the previous round. It was a full strength line up which showed how serious the Club was taking the tie.

In incessant rain, the opening goal arrived after just five minutes. It owed itself to a bit of good fortune with ricochets here and there before Carlo Banks squared the ball to fellow winger Cedwyn Scott who took a touch before placing the ball beyond Gregory and into the far corner of the net. Rovers never looked in danger against their plucky hosts, and added a second in the 34th minute. Paul Mullin provided the low cross across the six yard box and Banks arrived on cue to apply the finish.

The team soaked up plenty of pressure from Chorley, with Mbulu dominating at the back, and now await the Third Round draw with relish.

Our team was follows:

Hanlon; Domokos (Reynolds 49), Howard, Mbulu, Richards; Ofoborh (Iversen 69) ; Murray ©, Ollie Banks; Carlo Banks, Scott; Mullin (Sammons 76). Unused substitutes: Durrant, Passant, Eze, Henderson.

Attendance: 2984 (726 Rovers)

FA Trophy opponents known

The draw for the First Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy was made this morning.

Rovers have been handed a home draw against fellow National League side Southport. The two sides met just nine days ago at Prenton Park with Rovers defeating the Sandgrounders 2-0 thanks to goals from Cedwyn Scott and Sam Durrant.

The tie will be played on Saturday 23 December 2023, kick-off at 3:00pm

Derby test in Round Three

Another away trip awaits Rovers as they lock horns with the big guns in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round.

Rovers have been given an appetising tie at Pride Park against Championship side Derby County. County currently occupy 14th place in the second tier but represent a massive jump in standard for Mark Duell and his team. The gaffer is under no illusions that his team will be the underdogs.


The tie will be played on Saturday 6 January 2024; and as a result the trip to Wrexham on that date is now rescheduled for three days later.

Second half comeback earns replay

We don't like making things easy here at Tranmere Rovers, do we?

A second half comeback was needed by the team to ensure they would get a second bite of the FA Trophy against near neighbours Southport who went in at half time with a deserved lead. But two goals in eight minutes just after the hour ensured there would be a replay after the Sandgrounders had decided not to play extra time and possible penalties should the scores be level after ninety minutes.

We made the most terrible of starts, conceding after just 30 seconds. Harrison Howard failed to react Thomas Hanlon's kick out and the opponents worked the ball out to left winger Cavan Williams and the former Cardiff City trainee needed no further opportunity to put the ball into the net. The same player would add a second in the 24th minute; connecting with a sweet volley after a superb piece of play by wing partner Anthony Thompson.

Rovers received a rocket at the interval from manager Mark Duell and came out with a point to prove. The deficit was reduced in half in the 62nd minute when Caleb Richards got his cross in at the second time of asking, and Carlo Banks was on hand to steer it in from six yards at the far post. The team kicked on and got the equalising goal with twenty minutes to go, a superb free kick curled in by Richards from the edge of the box that gave Tonge in the Southport goal no chance whatsoever.

Neither side could find a winner after that, and we will replay on Wednesday 27 December 2023 at Haig Avenue. The Boxing Day home game against Hartlepool United is now rescheduled for Tuesday 16 January 2024.

Our team was follows:

Hanlon; Domokos, Graham, Howard, Richards; Ofoborh (Reynolds 66); Murray © (Durrant 57), Ollie Banks; Carlo Banks, Scott; Mullin (Sammons 72). Unused substitutes: Passant, Henderson.

Attendance: 4318 (108 away)

Into round two

After an unimpressive showing in the first game, we made no mistake in the replay.

In pouring rain, we took the lead after 22 minutes. A weak defensive header from Southport's Jordan Aina landed at the feet of Paul Mullin. Mullin's cross was missed completely by Tonge in the home goal, the custodian doing a very good impression of a window cleaner, and Cedwyn Scott was unmarked at the far post to put the ball into the unguarded goal.. Not one that the Southport manager would like to see again and again.

The second goal killed the tie five minutes later. Sidnei Tavares baulked Caleb Richards as they challenged at the far post on a free kick flighted in by skipper Jon Murray. Referee Joseph Johnson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and up stepped Ollie Banks to score despite the keeper going the right way. We saw the game through after that and now look forward to a Second Round encounter against fellow National League side Eastleigh.

That tie will be played at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday 20 January 2024.

Our team was follows:

Hanlon; Domokos, Graham, Reynolds, Richards; Ofoborh (Joseph 58); Murray © (Durrant 76), Ollie Banks; Scott, Mullin; Henderson (Sammons 68). Unused substitutes: Passant, Carlo Banks.

Attendance: 1072 (486 Rovers)

December 2023 Summary

Five games in December with some Cup action sandwiching the bread and butter.

After winning at Chorley in the Emirates FA Cup to start the month, we faced back to back home games afterwards. The first visitors to Prenton Park were Dagenham and Redbridge, another former league club. It took a goal in each half to take the points home ahead of our next game. The first came in the 22nd minute when Carlo Banks' corner wasn't properly dealt with by the Daggers and skipper Jon Murray fired in unmarked from around the penalty spot. Our second came just before the hour, a curling cross from Cedwyn Scott being tucked away at the near post by the predatory Paul Mullin. We didn't add to our tally after that but shut them out at the other end to record another win.

That second game was huge, leaders AFC Fylde in town, second placed hosting the leaders. To me, Fylde are a bit of a MK Dons type side, a franchise club who suddenly have a bit of money behind them. On this particular Saturday in December, we were second best from start to finish. They only scored once which I suppose is a blessing in disguise, and that pleased their massive (?) travelling support of 164 in a crowd of nearly 5000. It came nine minutes before the break when Hayden White's low cross was diverted in by former Manchester City trainee Henri Ogunby. To say it was a top of the table game, it was duller than ditchwater. If Fylde continue like this then they'll run away with it and we will be fighting for the scraps of the play offs.

Our middle game in this segment was a trip to Moss Rose to face the Macc Lads. A lapse of home concentration was to prove vital and hand us three points. A long goal kick in the 10th minute from Thomas Hanlon had Macc appealing for an offside that never came and Murray reacted first to square the ball in from the left wing and Mullin tapped in from six yards. Always play to the whistle I was always told. Never so true in this case, eh? Three more important points in the bag.

A strong first half performance would give us three points in the rearranged away trip to Solihull Moors. A routine from the training ground would give us the lead after 14 minutes; Banks with the corner and it was headed back by Harrison Howard to Murray who volleyed home instinctively. Two more goals either side of the half hour would increase the lead for us. After 28 minutes, Moors again failed to deal with a Banks corner and Murray pouched his second from twelve yards. Then five minutes later it was Murray who turned provider when his free kick was headed against the bar by Caleb Richards and whilst Moors looked at each other; Banks tucked in the rebound. 3-0 up at half time and cruising. Yet we had a horrible second half and two Sam Nombe strikes, his second coming with just seven minutes left, had us hanging on. But hang on we did, but we had made hard work of it.

We finished December with a home game against struggling Chesham United. I rested both first choice centre halves for this game with some important games ahead, opting for a partnership between Sam Graham and Joseph Joseph (yes, he's that good they named him twice). It was Joseph who put us into the lead ten minutes from half, meeting a Banks corner and then steering his header out of the keeper's reach and into the far corner. They scarcely troubled us but it took a couple of late goals to add the gloss. With 73 minutes gone, Mullin had a pot shot on goal which took a wicked deflection off Chesham defender Reuben Lewis and ended up in the net with the keeper rooted to the spot. Then just as the fourth official was going to appear with their board, we got a third. Murray with the free kick delivery and Andràs Domokos, the young Hungarian kid we have on a short term loan from Coventry, headed in his first goal for the club and first ever in professional football. Job done!

The halfway point has been passed and these are the standings:


So we go into the new year heading the pack. This was because Fylde suffered a 3-1 loss at Bromley whilst we were beating Chesham. It's a very good position to be in and we know we need to be at our best now. There's just a couple of points separating the top four, although we have a game in hand. The title race is going to be very tight indeed, can we see it home?

December's National League awards.

The winners were as follows:

Manager of the Month:


So close again. One day it's going to come; I can feel it in my waters.

Player of the Month:


Well in Jonny lad! He's been immense for us in December, a real captain's month. Deserves his award one hundred per cent.

Young Player of the Month:
Goal of the Month:

We drew absolute blanks on these awards.

Total Tranmere with Jack Davenport
31 December 2023

JD: Good evening Rovers fans, I hope you're all enjoying the season. We've got a special guest for you tonight on Total Tranmere, it's none other than the man at the helm manager Mark Duell. Good evening Mark, and welcome to the show.

MD: Good evening Jack, thanks for inviting me on.

JD: Not a problem Mark. We're going to talk about Rovers in this segment, and first of all: you have to be pleased with your first seven months here on the Wirral haven't you?

MD: I'm absolutely delighted Jack, it's really gone very well. Couldn't have asked for anything more on the park and the area's lovely too. I've settled into the environment well and you know the locals are just fantastic people. I feel like a bit of a celebrity when they stop me for a chat when I'm doing me food shop in Tesco. They're like: "Mark, can we have a selfie with you?" or "Mark, you're doing a great job with the Rovers. You're brilliant!" - things like that really hit home and make you feel proud indeed.

JD: I bet they do. So we go into tomorrow's New Year's Day game at Grimsby with Rovers leading the table. Can we stay there?

MD: I don't like to make predictions Jack but we're doing pretty well so far. We have suffered just three league losses in 26, that's some achievement and goes to show that if you put the effort then the results come. There will be a few more twists to come though, we have to be prepared. Tomorrow is a hard away game but I've got every confidence in the boys every time they take to the field. They are a pleasure to work with, even if I have had give them a few choice words here and there from time to time.

JD: As a manager, who's really impressed you so far in the team?

MD: Thomas (Hanlon) was recruited as a potential number one and when Fernando (Morientes) , the Sheffield United gaffer, said to me: "Sure you can have Thomas on loan for the season." I thought I'd won the lottery. Young Bayleigh Passant is a good keeper in his own right but Thomas is something else. He commands his area well, and he's only conceded like a goal a game on average. That's how good he is. Christian (Mbulu) and Harrison (Howard) are two solid centre halves and you can't ask for anything more from them two either. Attacking wise, we have so many good options and if it wasn't for his injuries then I'm sure that young Jake (Collier) would have crashed through the 20 goal barrier already.

JD: You mentioned Christian Mbulu there, he's one of the players who wanted to leave following Rovers relegation. Has he changed his mind?

MD: He hasn't, obviously he's wanting to play at the highest level he can. However the case is that he's still giving it all for us as are Jon (Murray) and Nnandi (Ofoborh) despite wanting the move on. There's been interest all season, even from when I took charge, but nobody has come in with a bid. If they do, we'll deal with it and should we have to sell then we'll get the right replacements in so we don't weaken the side.

JD: Is promotion back to the Football League a decent hope then?

MD: Of course it is. Mark (Palios) told me to keep the team in the top half of the table this season and at the moment we're doing that comfortably. I just hope he doesn't expect me to challenge for promotion to League One immediately if we do go up this season. We've had a good run so far in the FA Cup, and you know that's encouraging for our future. I really think we can start to build something special.

JD: So are you already planning for next season yet or is that something you will cross when it happens?

MD: I'm always looking to plan, and in the last couple of days we've had some good news. We've exercised the one year contract on Paul Mullin's current deal which keeps him here until the end of next season, and have agreed terms to bring a promising keeper in from Concord Rangers by the name of Calum Ward at the end of this season. Calum came through the ranks at Bournemouth and comes highly recommended.

JD: Well, thanks for your time Mark and good luck tomorrow at Grimsby.

MD: Pleasure, and that's appreciated.

Rovers come close to giant killing

So close, but no cigar.

Rovers took a diversion from their National League promotion challenge to take on Championship side Derby County in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Playing in a defensive attitude to try and stifle their higher ranked opponent, and to hit them on the break, it was predictably the home side who made the early running. Therefore it came as no surprise whatsoever when the Rams took the lead after just nine minutes played. Tom Lawrence swung in the corner and Czech defender Tomas Kalas headed in from six yards out.

The 1600 or so away fans were roaring their heroes on and they were jumping about with delight when Rovers equalised midway through that first half. Carlo Banks provided the cross from the right wing, and top scorer Jake Collier got their before Danny Batth to nod past Italian keeper Mirko Pigliacelli. The home crowd were stunned and they had more reason to be stunned when Rovers went ahead eight minutes before half time. Once more Banks provided the assist with a pull back from the byline and Collier arrived unmarked to steer his shot into the net. Was a giant killing on the cards?

Well Derby came into the second half more determined, and had Rovers under pressure. Chance after chance was created, but nothing seemed to go in. That was until the 77th minute when the Rams restored parity. Once more Lawrence provided the assist from a corner, this time it was glanced at the near post and into the far corner by substitute Ashley Barnes.

But there was still drama in injury time. Collier broke free of the back line and with just Pigliacelli to beat. Agonisingly for the youngster, and for Rovers, the shot went inches wide. So it's back to Prenton Park for a replay, which will be played on Wednesday 17 January 2024. This means that the Hartlepool United game on 16 January has been rescheduled again; this time for Tuesday 23 January 2024 - adding more congestion to the fixture list.

Our team was:

Hanlon; Reynolds (Domokos 79), Howard, Mbulu, Richards; Ofoborh; Ollie Banks (Iversen 58), Murray ©, Carlo Banks, Mullin (Scott 65); Collier. Unused Substitutes: Durrant, Passant, Sammons, Joseph.

Attendance: 15,965 (1649 Rovers)

Dreams ram raided

The dream is over, now to concentrate on the league. That was the message coming from manager Mark Duell after Rovers were defeated in their Emirates FA Cup Third Round replay with Derby County tonight.

In front of a sell out crowd, no spare seats around, Rovers entertained their Championship opponents with a raucous atmosphere in Prenton Park. The home side were hoping to build on their performance at Pride Park ten days ago and make the last 32. However, Derby knew they hadn't performed in the first encounter and dominated the game from start to finish to crush any hope of an upset.

They took the lead after 28 minutes with a flowing move that ended with a confident finish by Swedish winger Niclas Eliasson into the bottom left hand corner of Thomas Hanlon's net. It was no more than the Rams deserved. They sucked the game out of Rovers and added a second six minutes before half time; Iranian defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi heading in at the far post from a Tom Lawrence corner.

Rovers tried hard but were finding it hard to break down Derby with Carlo Banks' absence really felt. Jake Collier, scorer of a brace at Pride Park, found it hard to have chances in the second game. Rovers had risked captain Jon Murray from the start, but the skipper lasted just 45 minutes, on his comeback after a bruised thigh at Wrexham just a week ago. So it's Derby who progress and they will host Preston North End in the Fourth Round.

Our team was:

Hanlon; Domokos, Graham, Mbulu, Richards; Ofoborh; Ollie Banks, Murray © (Iversen 45); Scott (Durrant 74), Mullin; Collier (Sammons 61). Unused Substitutes: Reynolds, Passant, Joseph, Howard.

Attendance: SOLD OUT 16,582 (829 away)