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Mbulu is staying..for now

Christian Mbulu is staying at Prenton Park, for now. The defender, who is now his 5th season with Rovers, publicly stated he wanted to move on when the team were relegated last season.

At the moment, he's still here. Manager Mark Duell gives the Official Site an update:

January's National League awards.

The winners were as follows:

Manager of the Month:


A second Manager of the Month award for Defoe and another second place for me. Maybe if we hadn't had those draws then I might have won it. Still I have something that Defoe doesn't...a league leading team!

Player and Young Player of the Month:


The on-loan striker from Barnsley bags both the Player and Young Player of the Month awards. He's hit 15 in 17 games for Salford since joining them, so is doing just as good as our Jake. Might be one to keep an eye on. Or will he be a one season wonder?

Goal of the Month:
Nothing here to report. The winner was Scott Robinson (no, not the former Neighbours character) of Port Vale.

Reports are still circulating around that Tranmere Rovers are set to be taken over.

Whilst Club Chairman Mark Palios is refusing to comment on these developments, it's certainly interesting times for the team who currently lead the National League by three points from AFC Fylde.

Manager Mark Duell briefly said this when we asked him at the training ground:

Could Rovers soon have new owners?

January 2024 Summary

Lots of games as the title race hots up!

So we started January with a two point gap between ourselves at the top and Wrexham in fourth. Our first game of 2024 would be a trip to Cleethorpes to face a Grimsby side that have dropped off since such a good start. It was also a potential banana skin for us. That banana skin seemed to be looking true when they went ahead on the quarter hour thanks to Matty Argent-Barnes; a player who was immense for me at Welsh Under-21 level. But the second half was a completely different story as we tore them to shreds. Two of those goals came in the space of minute to turn a deficit into an advantage. After 56 minutes a Paul Mullin corner was headed in by Joseph Joseph (remember, he's that good he was named twice) and then almost immediately we struck again when Mullin picked up a pass from Ollie Banks to take a touch and then score his 10th of the season.

We added a third to put it beyond them after 72 minutes; Mullin again being the provider and this time it was Cedwyn Scott who made no mistake from close range. The gloss came seven minutes after that goal to cap a superb second half showing. Some clever play by Carlo Banks saw him release Mullin who finished with a nice, low effort.

After our exploits in Derby, midweek saw a derby against Wrexham at the Racecourse. It was a typical blood and thunder game with no quarter given. We took the lead in the second minute when Caleb Richards saw his cross go into his own net thanks to Wrexham's Jared Bird. Tweet, tweet indeed! Our hopes in the game took a massive jolt ten minutes when Carlo Banks limped off with a hamstring strain which would rule him out for the rest of the month. A devastating blow for us as a team and for the lad himself. They levelled in the 32nd minute with a peach of a strike from Jack Clarke which no keeper would have saved, never mind Thomas Hanlon. But we got ourselves a point out of it, just, but lost skipper Jon Murray to a bruised thigh in the closing stages.

We weren't at our best in the league game before the Derby replay as we headed south to the Potteries and Vale Park. Robbie Williams was nowhere to be seen in the directors box as we played the hosts. It was a dour game to be honest, and what chances we did have: we wasted. Only the third time we have failed to score this season so far; a goalless draw.

In the penultimate game of the month, we hosted Hartlepool United: a game that had been rescheduled twice because of Cup matches. We took the lead after just eight minutes, Murray sweeping in the free kick and Christian Mbulu headed the ball home. Hartlepool were a tough nut to crack and to be honest, I felt that there was more chance for them to equalise than us score a second. But we clinched the points with three minutes to go. Einar Iversen weighted the pass into Collier who took a couple of deft touches before striking a superb left foot shot low into the net from just outside the penalty area. Sensational.

The month ended with a home game against Gateshead. "The Heed" are one of the few teams that have gotten the best of us this season but we were determined to set that particular record right at Prenton Park. With the rain absolutely lashing it down, we were ahead after seven minutes play. Scott with another quality cross and Collier got his head onto it to open the scoring. It was a tense affair to be honest, but we clinched another three points in the closing stages. 13 minutes remained when that second goal went in; Scott crossing for Ollie Banks to head against the post but the poacher that is Collier snapped up the rebound. It was his 18th goal of the season.

So January ends like this:


Despite those draws, we're still on top of the table and have actually opened a small gap as well. There's three points between us and Fylde and we've got a better goal difference too. We've got to continue to kick on and garner these results out, if we do then we can get the title. Nobody here wants it to go down to a final day decider: ironically against Fylde.

Kinina joins on loan

Rovers have made a new signing on loan today.

With Andràs Domokos set to rejoin parent club Coventry City tomorrow, Rovers have acquired Norwich City defender Nick Kinina on loan until the end of the season. Goerge Alfieri is still sidelined with his broken ankle so Mark Duell has acted swiftly to provide extra cover for Ryan Reynolds.

The 22 year old started his career with home town club Birmingham City but was released in the summer of 2020 without making an appearance for the Blues. He joined Reading in December of that year and made his début for the Royals in the 2022 Checkatrade Trophy. That summer he was released by Reading but was quickly snapped up the Canaries. He is yet to make an appearance for the Championship side but is looking forward to join us and get some valuable match time under his belt.

Kinina has been allocated squad number 42.

Pools next up

The draw for the Third Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy has been made this morning.

After Saturday's remarkable comeback win at Eastleigh, Rovers will be at home in the last sixteen. They will face current FA Trophy holders Hartlepool United, Pools having won it last season against Macclesfield Town through Tyler Smith's dramatic 90th minute winner for a 2-1 triumph.

The tie will be played on Saturday 10 February 2024, kick-off at 3:00pm

Collier at the double in FA Trophy win

An amazing finish to the game proved to be decisive for Rovers as they defeated hosts Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.

Mark Duell made a number of changes for this FA Trophy Second Round tie with a crucial home National League game at home to Hartlepool United three days later. From the side that lost to Derby in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round replay, Bayleigh Passant started in between the sticks in place of regular first choice Thomas Hanlon. Ryan Reynolds replaced loanee Andràs Domokos at right back, Harrison Howard came in for Christian Mbulu, Emmanuel Eze for Caleb Richards, Sam Durrant for skipper Jon Murray and finally top scorer Jake Collier was rested for Marcus Sammons to come in. Quite a reshuffle.

Rovers would open the scoring after just nine minutes though. Reynolds crossing for Paul Mullin to strike the post with his first effort but the right-back reacted first to pull the ball back for the same striker who volleyed home his 12th goal of the season. However Eastleigh have been impressive this season, and that impressive nature would bring them two goals in five minutes just before half time. The first came in the 37th minute when Rovers failed to clear their defensive lines and winger Shane Stevenson poked home the ball under Passant. The second goal in the 42nd minute was the result of a Danny Lloyd corner, and George Armstrong (whom Mark Duell knows from the Wales Under-21 set up) headed home from six yards out.

Early in the second half Rovers were awarded a penalty when Mullin was clattered in the area. Up stepped Ollie Banks, but Dante Baptiste produced a remarkable reaction save to deny him. Facing elimination then, Rovers introduced Collier as a 51st minute substitute after Sammons had failed to spark. This substitution proved to be a masterstroke as the youngster led the comeback with three goals in the final 18 minutes. With 72 minutes gone, some great passing play saw Cedwyn Scott flight in a cross and Collier headed the ball into the corner past Baptiste who was rooted to the spot.

With extra time looming, could either side get a winner? Rovers took the lead as the fourth official prepared to appear with his board, Mullin's corner being met by a thumping header from Howard. Eastleigh now were looking for elimination and they pushed for a third. However, that push meant gaps at the back and Rovers exploited that with their fourth goal in the dying embers. Scott ran at the retreating home defence before picking out Collier, the youngster took a touch, then planted a sweet effort into the net. Who will Rovers get in Round Three?

Our team was:

Passant; Reynolds, Howard, Graham, Eze (Domokos 62); Ofoborh (Iversen 76); Durrant, Ollie Banks; Scott ©, Sammons (Collier 51); Mullin. Unused Substitutes: Hanlon, Joseph.

Attendance: 2229 (346 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)

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)

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.

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.

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?

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)

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)

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.

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

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)

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!

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.

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.