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Preview: March 2025 Fixtures

A really packed month of six games in a spell of just four weeks.

We start March with another game against Blackpool. We have had the upper hand this season against the Seasiders, winning both the Carabao Cup and away league games against them. They'll be hoping that it is third time lucky whilst we will be wanting three points to keep this promotion juggernaut rolling. The strike partnership of Ben Beechey and Graham Woodward will be a major threat to us as will the wing play as Jorge Harrop. It's a potential banana skin at an important part of the season.

Normally when you mention the place Cheltenham to me, I'll reply with Prestbury Park as that is where the racecourse is. But the only racing we will be doing in March is hopefully the race to the title and being first past the winning post. They're not out of the relegation race so it could be a very interesting game indeed in Gloucestershire. Our only midweek game of the month follows next as Crewe come visiting, hopefully we can stay firmly on track after this one.

We go to town of the Crooked Spire in the penultimate away match of the month. We raced into a convincing 3-0 lead against them at home earlier in the season but had to hang on for the three points in the end as they staged a very spirited comeback. If that's not a warning sign then what is? Our month ends with a home game against Accrington Stanley, a team that scores goals from all areas rather than being reliant on one out and out scorer (a bit like ourselves in a sense), before finishing with a trip to West Yorkshire to face Bradford City who I'm surprised aren't challenging for promotion this season. They do average over 16000 a home game this season which is incredible, shame those faithful fans haven't seen a team capable of challenging for the big honours this season eh?

Who knows where we will be after this six game span? I'll be summarising it in two parts though.

Here are the winners of the awards for February:

Manager of the Month:

A 100 per cent for the Bromley boss as they head towards mid-table safety. Oh and I finished second by the way!

Player of the Month:

Scored against us in January, takes the Player of the Month gong the following month. Has six goals in six games since joining on a free transfer at the beginning of the latest transfer window.

Young Player of the Month:

A 20 year old on loan from Ipswich Town, don't think he's as good as our midfielders. Even those who can't get into the first team picture here are better than him attribute wise.

Goal of the Month: Tim Tantram (Walsall)

One of the latest new talents I've blooded for the Welsh Under 21 side. Be interesting to see how he develops in years to come.

The 2025 Carabao Cup has just been completed, with Liverpool winning it for the 10th time in their history thanks to a sole Virgil Van Dijk strike against rivals Manchester United at Wembley.

However, we were surprised to be mentioned as the competition's biggest overachievers. We knocked out both Blackpool and Premiership side Leeds before falling at the Third Round stage. Not bad for a team that has just been promoted from the National League.

Hopefully we can continue to build on this, and maybe cause a few more surprises as the seasons progress.

The month of February is in the book, here's how we fared:


The biggest game of the season so far, a real proverbial six pointer. Win and we would go even more clear at the top but lose and the deficit gets reduced, as simple as that. Surprisingly, the game didn't bring the biggest crowd of the season to Prenton Park which I thought it would do. Anyway it was a classic top of the table clash with neither side wanting lose the game, guess my Colchester counterpart had the same thoughts on how he was going to approach the match. Anyway, with 15 minutes to go the deadlock was broken when U's striker Theo Waites lashed in an unstoppable volley from a corner kick routine.

Time to dig in deep then to rescue a point, and it looked like we would run out of time as the clock ticked on. But teams that win championships always find a way to rescue something, and that's what happened in the final minute of five minutes added on. With the tension so palatable you could taste it, there was a coming together as Cracknell and Kees De Boer challenged for a late Paul Mullin corner kick. Referee Matt Donohue said penalty. Up stepped Mullin with nerves of steel and the cold precision of a killer to send the keeper the wrong way and score such a dramatic equaliser. It was his 11th of the season, and probably his most crucial one this season.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Mbulu, Joseph, Kenlock; De Boer; Murray ©; Scott, Davies, Mullin, Collier. Substitutes: Sea (for Davies 61), Pressley (for Collier 73), Reynolds (for Kenlock 89), Ward, Songo'o, Denny, Graham.
Goalscorer: Mullin (pen 90+5)
Booked: Mbulu (28)
Man of the Match: Theo Waites (Colchester United)
Attendance: 7811 (278 away)


With our opponents on the fringes of the play off spots looking in, this had the making of a very difficult away game. However, one man took it upon himself to disprove that theory and keep the promotion bid bubbling quite nicely with a superb hat-trick. That player was wantaway striker Jake Collier whom we have turned down bids for but purely because nobody wants to meet the minimum release clause. Collier opened the scoring after 13 with a deft header from a Myles Kenlock cross following a patient team build up, then he doubled his and the team's tally eight minutes later. This time the delivery came from the other wing, Cedwyn Scott with the cross and Collier volleyed home. The Shrews pulled back within one with 14 minutes to go thanks to a Jack Diamond effort that hit the bar but spun into the net, nothing you can do about those. Yet Collier had the final say in the 89th minute, directing a header into the far corner from a De Boer flag kick to take him on 11 for the season and complete his first treble for the Club.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Murray ©; Scott, Davies, Mullin, Collier. Substitutes: Sea (for Mullin 59), De Boer (for Murray 74), Tee (for Davies 83), Ward, Pressley, Reynolds, Booth.
Goalscorer: Collier (13, 21, 89)
Man of the Match: Jake Collier (Tranmere)
Attendance: 6047 (920 Rovers)


A potential hard home would follow that trip to Salop, as Newport County visited Prenton Park. The Exiles are looking to get automatic promotion alongside us and are locked into a real dogfight fro that third spot with Plymouth and Forest Green Rovers to name just two. It was a game that was frustrating to us as we dominated it but could we hit the target and put them away, could we heck. But we kept on plugging away, and just hoped that the resistance would be broken before the final whistle shrilled. Thankfully that moment came with just a minute left to play. better late than never for the second time this month eh? Skipper Jon Murray, who still won't sign a new deal despite the team's lofty league position, clipped in a free kick and Leeds loanee Harvey Davies looped a header over Lee Burge in the Newport goal and into the net. His first league, but second overall, goal of the season. It was a vital goal as the monthly summary will explain.

The game saw the welcome return of Neco Williams who had been out for four weeks with sprained ankle ligaments. Always good to have one of the team's inspirations back as the promotion charge continues.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Murray ©; Williams, Davies, Mullin, Collier. Substitutes: Scott (for Williams 67), De Boer (for Songo'o 74), Sea (for Tee 77), Ward, Pressley, Reynolds, Tee.
Goalscorer: Davies (89)
Man of the Match: Harvey Davies (Tranmere)
Attendance: 9023 (238 away)


One goal would separate us and hosts Sutton United at Gander Green Lane to finish February. It came early on, in the 12th minute in fact, when the hugely impressive Kenlock crossed from the left and Williams stooped to head home. It was a ninth goal of the season for the former Anfield trainee, and quite remarkable considering I had signed him initially as a right back. He's certainly proven to be one of the best free transfers I have brought in anywhere in this career. As for the game, we weren't quite exactly at our best but three points are three points as we head into a very congested March period.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Murray ©; Williams, Davies, Mullin, Collier. Substitutes: Sea (for Collier 57), Scott (for Mullin 78), De Boer (for Songo'o 81), Ward, Pressley, Reynolds, Tee.
Goalscorer: Williams (12)
Man of the Match: Myles Kenlock (Tranmere)
Attendance: 2929 (484 Rovers)

This is how the division stands:


Analysis: Another very good month for us as we are now unbeaten in 11 league games since that Boxing Day loss at home to Stockport County.

What makes it more sweeter is that we have extended our lead at the top to an amazing eight points! This came about because whilst we were getting that late win against Newport County, Colchester were slipping to defeat against Chester at the Deva. Thanks Chester, you absolute beauties! This means we can afford to lose two games and draw one more yet still stay ahead of the U's. Not that we're actually planning to do just that, we want as many points as we can get and if that means running away with the title then so be it. It's now also an astonishing 22 point gap to third placed Newport so all is looking good. If we can put together some more good results in March then perhaps we can really dare to dream. However, we will have to be without Paul Mullin for 2-3 weeks due to him picking up an abdominal injury, time for someone to step up to the plate and keep it going eh?

12 games to go...

Preview: February 2025 Fixtures

Four more games this season as we find ourselves in a bid to win a second successive promotion.

The month begins with probably the biggest league game of the season. Forget the local derbies with Chester, this is the huge one and a lot could really depend on it. We host Colchester United who are probably the team that could deny us yet more silverware. The game will kick off with us five points ahead of them in the standings and we take maximum points then that will be a massive step to adding the League Two title to the National League one. Even a point wouldn't be too bad, just need to avoid defeat. Lose and the gap comes down to two points, we don't want that do we?

After facing Colchester we head off to Shropshire to face Shrewsbury Town. The Shrews start February just outside the play off positions and will be hoping to sneak in. They have a surefire match winner in former Burnley winger Dwight McNeil so we will have to keep him quiet for sure. Picking up at least a point from this awkward away game will be just as good as winning. Our last trip there was a 1-1 draw so that shows you how hard of a game it is going to be.

The penultimate game of February sees us host Cas'newydd (Newport) and it's safe to say that we got away with absolute murder when we were at Rodney Parade earlier this season. If it wasn't for Jake Collier's injury time equaliser then Newport would have walked off deserved winners on the day. Once more, this goes and proves there is no such thing as an easy game this season. They're up there this season and could easily be promoted this season if everything goes their way. We have to stop them!

We finish the month with a trip to mid-table Sutton United at Gander Green Lane. It's another potential banana skin for us as they have one of the league's hotshots in Nigerian striker Fejiri Okenabirhie but we kept the league top scorer Mason Bloomfield quiet in January. A repeat of our last visit there, where we won 2-1, would be nice indeed.

It's starting to heat up!

Here are the winners of the awards for the first month of the New Year:

Manager of the Month:

Never in doubt I tell you! I'm the only manager to have won this TWICE this season and I want more!

Player of the Month:

Spirerites defensive midfielder takes this gong, looks a bit decent too. Might have to buy a defensive midfielder in the summer so he could be worth having a look at.

Young Player of the Month:

On loan from the Blades, can't say I actually was wowed by him when we played Chester at the Deva...oh yeah he was an unused substitute! Scored a hat-trick in one game and that's why he won it, OK then...

Goal of the Month: Connor Johnson (Bromley)

Came through the ranks at Wolves but didn't make a single appearance for them. Now in his sixth season at Bromley, nothing special.

The second instalment in January's result analysis:


So after defeating Chester in the local derby; we played our game in hand against Oldham at Boundary Park and boy did we make it count! It didn't start too well though as the Latics took a fifth minute lead through Craig Flitcroft-Draycott's second goal of the season. It was just the kick up the backside we needed, and two goals in as many minutes before half time turned the game in our favour. The equaliser came in the 38th minute when the recalled Jake Collier beat the keeper at his near post from a Carlo Banks cross. We went ahead two minutes later when Yann Songo'o headed in his seventh of the season from an Alex Denny free kick.

We secured the points, and our fifth win on the spin, with twenty minutes to go when central defender Sam Graham powered in his first of the season from a Banks corner kick.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Reynolds, Joseph, Richards; Songo'o; Denny; Carlo Banks, Tee, Scott ©, Collier. Substitutes: Graham (for Reynolds 57), Pressley (for Scott 66), De Boer (for Richards 78), Ward, Davies, Murray, Mullin.
Goalscorers: Collier (38), Songo'o (40), Graham (70)
Man of the Match: Carlo Banks (Tranmere)
Attendance: 3649 (678 Rovers)


Despite a late flourish from the visitors, Rovers held on for a sixth successive win and a further step towards their promotion aspirations. The opening goal came in the 10th minute when Banks clipped in a free kick and Joseph Joseph, remember he's that good his parents named twice, got above all and sundry to direct a header into the net for his second of the season. We doubled our lead in the 63rd minute when a Banks cross was headed into the six yard box by substitute Harvey Davies for the predatory Collier to slide in and score his eighth of the season. The game looked over when we added a third with just eleven minutes to go, Walsall's defence dozing at a free-kick and Dutchman Kees De Boer scored his third and probably easiest goal of the season.

Walsall gave us a bit of a fright with two goals in the closing stages, Oliver Kensdale scoring his first for the Saddlers with two minutes left and then former Palace trainee Rob Street scored their second in time added on. But we held on, phew!

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Reynolds, Joseph, Richards; Songo'o; Denny; Carlo Banks, Tee, Scott ©, Collier. Substitutes: Davies (for Tee 37), Murray (for Songo'o 57), De Boer (for Richards 70), Ward, Pressley, Graham, Mullin.
Goalscorers: Joseph (10), Collier (63), De Boer (79)
Man of the Match: Harry Chapman (Walsall)
Attendance: 7879 (226 away)


Could we complete the month of January with yet another win, or at least remain unbeaten? It wasn't going to be an easy game, considering they had the division's second top scorer in their ranks and it was he who opened the scoring. However, the Bromley fans weren't happy over it as he fired the ball into his own net two minutes after the restart when trying to clear a Banks corner kick. Two minutes after taking the lead, we faced a battle as Nnamdi Ofoborh picked up our first red card of the season for two yellows. To be honest, the referee had no option whatsoever. Bromley would equalise in the 66th minute through Ryan Murray but we wouldn't concede again and held on for what could prove to be a very important point in the grand scheme of things as the promotion race begins to hot up indeed.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Joseph, Mbulu, Kenlock; Ofoborh, Murray ©; Carlo Banks, Mullin, Scott; Collier. Substitutes: Songo'o (for Scott 49), Davies (for Collier 73), Pressley (for Carlo Banks 81), Ward, De Boer, Graham, Richards.
Goalscorer: Sims (own goal 47)
Booked: Scott (16), Ofoborh (44), Songo'o (88)
Sent Off: Ofoborh (49)
Man of the Match: Jonas Kalonda (Bromley)
Attendance: 2901 (472 Rovers)

This is how the division stands with January now complete:


Analysis: So all in all, January was indeed a very good month for us. Colchester have a had a bit of a wobble, just as we hoped for, and we have taken full advantage of it. Five points ahead of them is a nice buffer to have but it will be even better to extend it. The fact that we're almost 20 points clear of third placed Plymouth means that we're heading in the right direction for a second successive promotion and meaning that the decision to sign a new deal is proving to be inspired. I seem to be a club that wants to be ambitious, but then again so am I.

I can see my stock rising further if I get Tranmere promoted again, and with the imminent completion of my Continental Pro coaching licence then I might soon become a man in demand. The Premiership dream is still a way off, but I could easily do a job at Championship level but it will have to be a decent team at that standard to entice me away. Keep churning out the points and we will be celebrating on the Wirral once more. 16 games to go...

Splitting up the month of January into two blocks of three rather than doing one massive long and, maybe boring, post:


This was the first home of the New Year and a perfect bounce back after the Boxing Day disappointment. It's not that Scunthorpe were really bad, we were just really clinical especially in the first half where we put the game beyond the Iron. We opened the scoring after just four minutes when Neco Williams pouched his sixth of the season at the second attempt after Sharp parried his initial effort. Ten minutes later, we had a second and so did Williams for his seventh of the campaign. This time it was a far post header from a Jon Murray free-kick. Murray created the third in the 29th minute, another free kick and with Scunthorpe looking at each other: Nnamdi Ofoborh had all the time in the world to pick his spot for his first of the season.

A fourth arrived on the hour. Conor Tee weighting a pass into top scorer Paul Mullin like a knife through hot butter, and he was also given room by the generous Scunthorpe defence to score his tenth of the season. There was to be no clean sheet though as central defender Jarvis Edobor headed in a corner with seven minutes to go but it was just consolation. Nice to get back to winning ways at home!

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Richards; Ofoborh; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Reynolds (for Graham 39), De Boer (for Murray 54), Songo'o (for Tee 63), Ward, Collier, Scott, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: Williams (4, 14), Ofoborh (29), Mullin (60)
Man of the Match: Neco Williams (Tranmere)
Attendance: 6941 (128 away)


After losing so narrowly and painfully in the FA Cup at Preston, it was back to league action four days later to face a fellow promotion challenger in Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn. They had the division's top scorer in Mason Bloomfield but once again he drew a blank as our defence shut him out. We lost Williams before half time with a bad injury, more details in my summary at the end, but his replacement proved to be the match winner. That man was Cedwyn Scott who has endured spells in and out of the team this season. The winger put us ahead with a rocket into the top corner in first half injury time with his fourth of the season after an Aaron Pressley pull back had landed into his path. The same player secured the points midway through the second half as the rain continued to fall, a confident finish after the home side failed to clear their lines following a yet another Murray free kick.

One away game out of three in a row completed with a win, can we build on it?

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Reynolds, Graham, Richards; Songo'o; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Scott (for Williams 31), De Boer (for Tee 70), Joseph (for Songo'o 87), Ward, Collier, Denny, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorer: Scott (45+1, 65)
Booked: Songo'o (36)
Man of the Match: Cedwyn Scott (Tranmere)
Attendance: 2948 (429 Rovers)


Derby days are always special regardless what division your playing in. Well our next game was a derby against Chester with us holding the bragging rights after a 1-0 win at our place earlier in the campaign. By the end, those bragging rights remained on the Wirral as we recorded another 1-0 win over the Blues. The only goal would come in the 66th minute when Mullin put the ball into the danger area and arriving on it was Scott to poke home his sixth of the season in front of an ecstatic away support.

That's two wins on the road in successive matches, can we make it three with a win at Oldham?

Team: Dewhurst; Williams, Graham, Reynolds, Richards; Songo'o, Murray ©; Scott, Tee, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Davies (for Pressley 59), Collier (for Tee 76), Denny (for Murray 82), Ward, De Boer, Joseph, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorer: Scott (66)
Booked: Pressley (28), Reynolds (62), Scott (90+2)
Man of the Match: Ryan Reynolds (Tranmere)
Attendance: 4583 (400 Rovers)

Analysis: An excellent start to the New Year with three wins from three. Winning at Forest Green was particularly satisfying as it put us back on top of the table. That came about because Colchester suffered a 1-0 loss at Plymouth the night before. The Pilgrims are slowly moving into promotion contention and could be the team that could challenge as dark horses. However, we've got that game in hand against Oldham so if we win that then we go four points clear which is a massive step in the right direction. All this now without Neco Williams who suffered sprained ankle ligament damage In Nailsworth. A massive blow particularly when the kid was excelling so well in the right wing role.

Oh and we're somehow keeping hold of Jake Collier for now. He wants away but nobody wants to pay the going rate, had some derisory offers from Norwich and Reading wanting him on the cheap.

Better late than never, here are the winners of December's monthly awards:

Manager of the Month:

A first manager of the month award for the former Burnley goalkeeper. I can only think back to that home reverse against Stockport County which probably cost me a place in the top three at least.

Player of the Month:

Another former Burnley player takes this award. He looks too good for this level, and at 25 is in his prime. Could be one to look at if we get promotion this season.

Young Player of the Month:

On loan from our affiliate club, the Villa, he could be one to keep an eye on and see how he develops.

Goal of the Month: Tommy McIntosh (Chester)

Did nothing when we played them earlier in the season. I'm hoping he has another stinker when we play them again in January.

4 January 2025

Premiership strugglers Preston North End survived a massive fright to see off League Two Tranmere Rovers in a seven goal thriller of a Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie. The visitors were just nineteen minutes away from causing a massive upset until the Lilywhites woke up and scored their winner with just seconds left to play.

Backed by a noisy contingent of over 5000 fans, Tranmere took the lead after 19 minutes. Conor Tee was the architect with a superbly weighted pass into winger Neco Williams and the former Liverpool trainee showed incredible composure to lift the ball over the advancing Emiliano Martinez and send those fans behind that goal into sheer delight. It was his eighth goal of the season and he's proving to be an impressive free transfer capture for the Rovers since signing in the summer.

Preston would equalise just after the half hour, former Chelsea winger Charly Musonda with a superbly curled free kick from distance which Marcus Dewhurst in the Tranmere goal could not keep out. It was only the second goal that the Belgian had scored for the home side since signing for an initial £10.75 million in the summer of 2021. Yet Tranmere refused to be overawed by this and recaptured the lead just five minutes after that wondrous strike, top scorer Paul Mullin whipped in a corner and experienced midfielder Yann Songo'o powered in a close range header for his sixth of the season and again send those away fans into delirium.

Eight minutes after the restart, the home side were back on parity when Jack Harrison burst from inside his own half to the byline, leaving Tranmere defenders in his wake, and then pulling the ball back for Italian internationalist Moise Kean to tap home from six yards out. Tranmere still wouldn't go away and regained the lead for the third time in the 71st minute when Mullin showed more great vision to find substitute Jake Collier, on for the ineffective Aaron Pressley, and the highly rated 19 year old pulled away from his marker to drive in a shot that beat Martinez at his near post for his sixth of a very stop-start season. It will have certainly added to his reputation with Rovers reputedly set to cash in on this window. Almost straight away, Preston were level thanks to a low drive from Kean: his second of the game.

The teams looked certain to go back to the Wirral for a replay, but that was until Preston conjured up a late winner with the final chance of the game. Harrison provided the corner and Jules Koundé, who was at fault for the opening goal, headed in and deny Rovers what would have been a well deserved replay. It will give Preston new heart under new manager Philip Cocu and maybe this might be the springboard they need to try and avoid the drop.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Richards; Songo'o, Murray ©; Williams, Tee, Mullin; Pressley. Substitutes: Collier (for Pressley 59), De Boer (for Murray 68), Reynolds (for Richards 76), Ward, Scott, Ofoborh, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: Williams (19), Songo'o (36), Collier (71)
Booked: Songo'o (11), Williams (45+1), Mbulu (48)
Man of the Match: Moise Kean (Preston North End)
Attendance: 14,373 (5208 Rovers)

This afternoon the draw for the next UEFA Under-21 Championship Group Stage were made at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon.

These groups form the basis for the 2027 tournament. Wales have been handed the following group:


With the draw pitting the young Dragons against two teams just behind them in the world rankings indeed, this will indeed be a massive test. Then there's a Greece team who posed a number of problems in the most recent qualifiers whilst most will expect that Andorra will be the group's whipping boys.

There's a sense of intrigue though, with rumours coming out of Cardiff that manager Mark Duell is set to step down as soon as the Finals in Switzerland have been concluded for the Welsh. Duell, who also manages English League Two promotion challengers Tranmere Rovers, has been in charge for almost five years since being appointed by Rob Page in September 2020.

One can only wait and see.

The latest qualifying tournament begins on 3 September 2025 with Andorra visiting the Cardiff City Stadium.

Preview: January 2025 Fixtures

Another busy month of games as we head towards to the business end of the season.

The New Year's Day game sees us host Scunthorpe United here at Prenton Park. They're a team that have really flattered to deceive this season and begin the New Year, just outside the relegation zone. If we turn up thinking that the game is won already based on this then we'll get a rude awakening, just remember what happened to us against Stockport County on Boxing Dau. If that's not a warning then what is.

We break from the league in the first Saturday of the New Year with our Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at Premiership side Preston North End. Not many people will give us much hope in making the Fourth Round stage but if the magic is still in this famous old competition then who knows. They'll be hoping to get a decent run in the Cup under their belts to compensate for a dismal league campaign, but I back my lads any day. If we can pull off a surprise then who knows what it will do for the club's reputation and mine as well.

After that Cup game, we embark on three consecutive away games in the League and each one of them is as hard as they come. It all begins with a long trip down to Nailsworth to face Forest Green Rovers who are waiting on any slip ups from either us or Colchester. If we can take something from this then this will set us up for the next challenge. That next challenge is a local derby against Chester at the Deva, and they'll be hoping to get their season back on track after starting so well indeed. Bragging rights are on the line with us holding them, let's keep them there right? We then conclude our road trip with the rearranged trip to Oldham. That's the game that had been postponed due to snow in December. It also concludes five games in 13 days for us which means every fit player might be needed and we might have to rest a few here and there to keep the team fresh.

We're back on home soil for the penultimate game of January when Walsall come to visit. Walsall is of course the scene of one of our best away performances this season so if we can repeat that then all will be excellent. Like any team, anyone can beat anyone on their given day. Then we finish January with a trip to Bromley unless we're somehow involved in the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup. Last season, we shared six goals and the points with them so considering they beat us on our own patch this season then revenge is probably on the menu. Like Chester, they had a great start (considering it's their first season at this level...ever!) but they've slipped down the table since. Perhaps they've realised how much of a step up in quality this division is. That said, a few good results for them and they'll be right back in the thick of it.

We need to have a really good month and consolidate, if not improve, on where we are now. It's going to get interesting for sure!

Half Season Review

Time to take stock on how the season is unfolding.

First Team: The first team are having yet another good season. Granted we have lost more league games this season than we did last season but then again you have to expect it as you step up in class. We go into the New Year two points behind a Colchester United side who are proving to be incredibly consistent all season so far, they've only the lost the once and that was to us. We do have a match in hand, which is the Oldham away game that was postponed. If we can win, we go back top: it's as simple as that. My gut feeling is that our home game against Colchester at the beginning of February could prove oh so important this season.

If we can stay in touch, then maybe that second promotion isn't too far away. What an achievement that would be for the Club and for me too.

Top Scorer: Paul Mullin - 9 goals
Best Performer (minimum 5 started games): Christian Mbulu - 7.18

The Reserves aren't having the greatest of the season in the Central League Northern with just one win from their 11 league matches played so far. They've doing OK though in friendly games though and have scored plenty of goals between them. With so many of them out of contract in the summer, there might be a mass overhaul coming up but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. There are some decent sides in their league but they're not bottom which is fine by me. So long as they provide us with the strength in depth the First Team needs as well as giving some of the promising talents a chance to showcase at the next level then all is good.

Top Scorer: Harvey Davies - 9
Best Performer (minimum 5 started games): Harvey Davies - 7.27

I'm really really pleased with how the Youth Team are progressing this season under the expert management of Andy Parkinson. Sure he lost his assistant Andy Taylor to Port Vale but Marvin Elliott has come in as his replacement and kept up the good work. The youngsters are top of the Youth Alliance North West by five clear points and are in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup where they are to take on their counterparts of Stoke. There's some good talents there, but any of them be that good to do a Jake Collier? We shall wait and see.

Top Scorer: Cathal Johnston - 14
Best Performer (minimum 5 started games): Cathal Johnston - 7.85

I've also come to the conclusion that we've got a massive squad and as a result some of the players need to be moved on. I can't give them all a first team spot when the team is playing so well as they are now. Perhaps a loan spell elsewhere might help, after all beggars can't be choosers right?

Welcome to the review of December's matches:


We began December with a home fixture against struggling Oxford United but despite making a fabulous start, we were made to work for our three points by our visitors. The scoring was opened as early as the fourth minute when after one-time Rovers target Billy Crellin had saved from both Conor Tee and Neco Williams, there was nothing he could to stop Paul Mullin from poaching his ninth of the season. One way to celebrate signing a new contract with the Club. The lead was doubled four minutes later when Williams headed in a Myles Kenlock cross for his fourth of the season. After such a blistering start, you'd expect an avalanche of goals but Oxford to their credit, dug in and made it hard for us to breach them again.

We should have made it 3-0 with 18 minutes left to play when Lawless upended substitute Harvey Davies as they challenged for a Williams cross but Crellin produced a great one handed save to deny Mullin from the penalty spot. With just three minutes to go, U's substitute Jak McCourt ensured a nervy finish when he halved the deficit. But we managed to hold on, thankfully.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Sea, Mullin. Substitutes: Davies (for Sea 53), Ofoborh (for Songo'o 70), Reynolds (for Murray 81), Ward, Collier, Scott, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: Mullin (4), Williams (8)
Booked: Songo'o (51), Reynolds (87)
Man of the Match: Neco Williams (Tranmere)
Attendance: 8237 (732 away)


After heavy snow had postponed the game at Oldham the week before, we were back in action at home in the final game before Christmas as we hosted an in-form Mansfield Town at Prenton Park. Considering the time of the year, almost 8000 were in residence to see if we could continue our promotion charge. One goal decided the contest and it came after just five minutes play, Caleb Richards clipped a free-kick into the mixer and Williams looped a header over O'Leary for a fifth goal of the season. Mansfield had us on the ropes throughout but we resisted with Richards showing that the injured Kenlock wasn't being missed at all. A well drilled defensive performance and the Stags will be left thinking how they didn't come away with something which really, to be honest, they did deserve.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Reynolds, Richards; Ofoborh; Tee, Songo'o; Williams, Scott ©, Mullin. Substitutes: Denny (for Songo'o 62), Pressley (for Scott 83), Camacho, Ward, Collier, Davies, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorer: Williams (5)
Booked: Richards (49), Reynolds (66)
Man of the Match: Nnamdi Ofoborh (Tranmere)
Attendance: 7798 (294 away)


One of them games where nothing at all went right, and then you get the sucker punch at the end. To be honest, if we had played all night then we would have still failed to score, that's how bad it was. We probably wouldn't even finished our dinners or scored with a lady of the night such is the story of this game. The amount of chances we passed up was unreal, we should have had an absolute cricket score. Mullin missed yet another penalty, Magnus Norman denying him this time and it affected his confidence so much that I had to substitute him early on. Then as it looked like a goalless draw was going to be the final outcome, Max Sanders drilled in a low shot from 25 yards to give Marcus Dewhurst no chance whatsoever and leave us with no time to get an equaliser. A classic smash and grab by the visitors.

Team: Dewhurst; Williams, Graham, Reynolds, Richards; Ofoborh; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Scott, Mullin. Substitutes: Davies (for Mullin 59), Songo'o (for Tee 82), Camacho, Ward, Pressley, Collier, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: None
Booked: Songo'o (90+2)
Man of the Match: Max Sanders (Stockport County)
Attendance: 9617 (1036 away)


So after that reverse at home to Stockport, we finished 2024 with an away trip to Wycombe. Wycombe had a decent start to the season but when we travelled to Adams Park, they were looking marooned at the bottom of the table with seven points separating them from the safety line. That's some pull back if it can be achieved. Well their hopes took a massive jolt against when midfielder Nya Kirby was sent for a very early bath for a lunge on Williams: only 32 seconds had been played! Then Kenlock limped off for us just 19 minutes into his comeback but we were getting flashbacks of Boxing Day as we passed up opportunities left, right and centre.

Yet thankfully we did break their stubborn resistance with 13 minutes left, Ryan Reynolds with a cross from the left and Aaron Pressley directed home a header into the corner for his seventh of the season. Well done "Deadpool" and "Elvis", you saved our bacon. It was also nice to see Christian Mbulu return to the centre of defence after a period of rest which he so needed. The man is a leader, I just wish he'd sign a new deal and we can keep him much longer.

Team: Dewhurst; Williams, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Ofoborh; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Reynolds (for Kenlock 19), Carlo Banks (for Williams 59), Songo'o (for Ofoborh 78), Ward, Collier, Scott, De Boer.
Goalscorer: Pressley (77)
Man of the Match: Christian Mbulu (Tranmere)
Attendance: 3049 (456 Rovers)

So these are the current standings as we head into the New Year:

Mullin signs new contract

Good news this morning ahead of the game at Prenton Park against Oxford United..

Club stalwart Paul Mullin has agreed a new deal which will extend his stay until the summer of 2026. The 30 year old, who joined us in the summer of 2018 from Swindon Town, has gone on to make 311 appearances and score 81 goals in the seven seasons he has been here. Paul's original contract was due to expire this summer but the Club have moved quickly to tie one of the most liked players down to this new deal.

The financial terms of the new contract have not been disclosed.

Preview: December 2024 Fixtures

This is how the month of December is scheduled.

We begin the month with a home game against Oxford United, another team that are having a bit of a disappointing season. The media have them down to finish 20th this season so they're not too far off at the moment as the U's begin December in 21st. We've struggled sometimes with teams at the wrong end of the table so three points are a necessity as we really move towards to the halfway point of the campaign. The teams drew 1-1 in the last encounter here on the Wirral, Paul Mullin with our goal.

League Game 22 of the season, an away trip to mid-table Oldham Athletic. We had a goalless draw in our last trip there so if we can take something out of our latest visit then that will be a great result. They're a side that could easily turn it on and leave us in the lurch for sure. Back to back home games occur either side of Christmas for us. The Saturday before Christmas sees us entertain a Mansfield Town side that have started to improve, a sole Matt Preston strike was enough for the Stags to defeat us in the last game here between us.

That game against Mansfield Town marks the halfway point of the season, and Boxing Day marks the start of the second half of the campaign with a visit from opening day opponents Stockport County. They will obviously be wanting a bit of revenge for that opening day loss we inflicted on them. Then we finish the twelfth month of the year with a long trip south to Buckinghamshire and face Wycombe. They're one of just three teams that have beaten us in the league this season, but seem to have gone bit backwards since then.

Premiership challenge awaits Rovers

The draw for the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup was made this evening, live on BBC One's One Show.

It's a third successive away game for Rovers as they make the short journey to Deepdale Stadium to face Premiership strugglers Preston North End. The sides have met in the FA Cup once before, and that was in 1988's First Round. Rovers won that one 3-0 in a replay staged at Prenton Park after the first game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The game will be played on Saturday 4 January 2025 with a 3:00pm kick off.

Time to see who won what in the latest League Two Monthly Awards:

Manager of the Month:

Might have had a bit of shout if I hadn't lost to Plymouth. But fair play to the winner, he needed a run of wins as he was apparently on the brink of the sack.

Player of the Month:

A Mansfield double as stalwart Otis takes the Player of the Month gong. Never actually hit the heights after making his debut for the Blades back in the 2013-14 season though. Third placed was our very own Conor Tee who's become a bit of fixture in the starting eleven now, displacing Sam Durrant completely.

Young Player of the Month:

Bradford's Irish winger on loan from Brighton takes the Young Player of the Month award.

Goal of the Month: Jordan Clark (Accrington Stanley)

Another club stalwart takes the final award, and once more it's the Chester goalkeeper on the receiving end.

30 November 2024

A pulsating Emirates FA Cup tie at Nethermoor ended with League Two leaders Tranmere Rovers seeing off hosts Guiseley. The game was full of action and incident and those present will have gone home fully entertained indeed. Guiseley took the early advantage, opening the scoring after just four minutes when central defender Ian Clarke diverted Tyrone Lewthwaite's goalbound effort into the net from just inside the six yard box. However, the lead lasted just a matter of two minutes when Rovers were awarded the first of two penalties after Mike Melbourne tripped Dimitri Sea in the area; Paul Mullin blasted the resultant spot kick into the roof of the net.

In the 17th minute, Rovers went ahead with their second penalty: this time Jamal Balogun was the offender for a foul on Neco Williams. Up stepped Mullin again, sending the keeper the wrong way for his eighth of the season. Back came Guiseley, and they were back on parity almost immediately when a ball over the top caught out the Rovers defence and Lewthwaite lofted the ball over Marcus Dewhurst for 2-2. Still the goals kept coming and Rovers regained the lead after 26 minutes, Mullin this time turning provider for Williams to head in at the far post. Then six minutes later, Rovers were 4-2 ahead when a curling free kick from skipper Jon Murray squeaked in at James Jones' neat post. It was one that the former Liverpool trainee will certainly want back, and a fourth goal of the season for the Rovers captain.

Yet Guiseley would get back within one goal after 67 minutes, Steve Harper with a confident finish from David Breen's through ball. Their hopes took a nosedive though with thirteen minutes left when winger Liam Gardner was dismissed by referee Ollie Yates for two bookable offences. Rovers then sealed their place in the third round for the second successive season with a fifth goal in time added on at the end of the game. A corner from Mullin was headed towards goal by Nnamdi Ofoborh and substitute Yann Songo'o tucked home his fifth of the season from close range.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Reynolds, Kenlock; Ofoborh; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Sea, Mullin. Substitutes: Richards (for Kenlock 57), Songo'o (for Graham 65), Collier (for Williams 78), Ward, Scott, Davies, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: Mullin (pen 6, pen 17), Williams (26), Murray (32), Songo'o (90+1)
Man of the Match: Jon Murray (Tranmere)
Attendance: 3088 (727 Rovers)

This afternoon the draw for the UEFA Under-21 Championship Finals Group Stage were made at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon.

The groups are as follows:

Group A:

Group B:

Group C:


The winners of each group will qualify for the semi-finals alongside the second placed side with the best record. If those are level, then it will go down to which team has the best goal difference and finally who has scored the most goals.

Wales campaign will be begin on 19 June 2025 against, next up will be Turkey six days later before finishing against Italy on 28 June 2025. They have also confirmed two warm up games for the tournament against Liechtenstein on 7 June 2025 and hosts Switzerland four days later. Both games are away fixtures.

Welcome to the review of November's three League Two games.


Game one of the three game span was the first of two trips to Devon. In this first away trip, Rovers would go to St James Park (the real one according to the manager) and face the Grecians of Exeter. Backed by a superb away following of almost 500, Rovers took the lead after 14 minutes when Irish midfielder Conor Tee blasted in his first Rovers goal from the edge of the penalty area helped with a combination of post and crossbar. The lead was doubled after 27, Myles Kenlock with the inswinging corner and Christian Mbulu with a header that the keeper couldn't keep out. Exeter did pull one back just before half time when central defender Steven Cottam placed his header beyond the reach of Marcus Dewhurst and Jake Nicholls who was marking the far post.

Two minutes after the restart, Rovers restored their two goal advantage. Aaron Pressley had a shot parried by Becerra in the home goal but straight out to winger Cedwyn Scott who made no mistake for his third goal of the season. The home side did ensure a nervy finish when impressive substitute Carlos Mendes Gomes scored with just four minutes left but Rovers held on for a great away win. They will be even more pleased in that they kept the Grecians 28 goals duo Danny Irwin and Sol Pryce off the scoresheet, a feat that some clubs have failed to accomplish.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Ofoborh; Tee, Murray ©; Scott, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Sea (for Pressley 55), Ofoborh (for Murray 65), Collier (for Mullin 75), Ward, Matthews, Durrant, Williams.
Goalscorers: Tee (14), Mbulu (27), Scott (47)
Booked: Graham (23)
Man of the Match: Carlos Mendes Gomes (Exeter City)
Attendance: 4576 (477 Rovers)


Struggling Maidstone came to Prenton Park for a game which most had down as a cakewalk for the home side, and for half an hour it was just that but the Stones came rolling back and in the end Rovers were happy to hold on in a eight goal thriller. The opener came in the 13th minute when Tee sent Neco Williams down the right wing, and from the resultant cross to the far post Paul Mullin placed a shot across the keeper for his fifth of the campaign. Williams would have a hand in the second after 26 minutes which proved to be the first of three home goals in a frenetic four minutes spell. It was the winger's persistence which caused an error in the away defence, and Williams set up Pressley to score his fifth of the season at the second attempt.

Rovers made it 3-0 in the 28th minute, a swift counter attack ending with Tee scoring his second of the season with a placed shot beyond Parish. Then on the half hour it became 4-0, Williams getting his due reward by striking home a rasping drive for his second of the season. Two minutes from half time, Martell Taylor-Crossdale scored his first of the afternoon to give his side a bit of hope. That hope increased further in the 58th minute when Northern Irish striker Shayne Lavery netted and suddenly Rovers were wobbling. However with twelve minutes to go, Tee teed up Mullin to score his second of the game and sixth of the season. Surely sealed? Well Maidstone had other ideas when Taylor-Crossdale scored again almost straight after the restart for 5-3. Thankfully that was were the scoring stopped and Rovers unbeaten run continued for a 12th league game.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Ofoborh (for Songo'o 52), Sea (for Pressley 63), Reynolds (for Kenlock 68), Ward, Collier, Scott, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: Mullin (13, 78), Pressley (26), Tee (28), Williams (30)
Booked: Sea (85), Tee (88)
Man of the Match: Paul Mullin (Tranmere)
Attendance: 7763 (187 away)


The unbeaten league run ended in Plymouth as a single goal consigned Rovers to their third league loss of the season. It came late on as Daniel Butterworth headed in from Kilsmahn's corner just seven minutes from the end. The winner was no more than the Pilgrims deserved from a match they controlled. Rovers must now pick themselves up for a crucial December which might determine how this remarkable start may finish.

Team: Dewhurst; Williams, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Tee, Murray ©; Williams, Mullin, Sea. Substitutes: Collier (for Sea 57), Davies (for Mullin 70), Reynolds (for Kenlock 82), Ward, Ofoborh, Scott, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: None
Booked: Mullin (64)
Man of the Match: Kilsmahn (Plymouth Argyle)
Attendance: 7712 (263 Rovers)

So these are the current standings:


Analysis: We might have lost our unbeaten record but we're still heading the pack going into December which is going to be a HUGE month for us. If we can come out of it in the same position if not better then maybe promotion number two could be on the cards. Colchester continue to hang in there, just two points behind and a better goal difference, but the gap to third is an astonishing 11 points. Fourth placed Plymouth are an additional point behind that which is a nice margin to have. We have to keep at it.

I'm starting to worry about the lack of goals from summer signing Dimitri Sea. The acquisition from Villa should really bang goals in at this level but he's been a major disappointment. Whenever he's had a chance in the first time, he's simply not produced and I'm forced to sub him early. The fans were expecting big things from him, so was I, but I can't see where his next goal is going to come from. Hopefully for his sake, something good is around the corner.

Rovers on the road again

After last night's win against Darlington, our Emirates FA Cup Second Round opponents can be officially confirmed.

Rovers will travel to National League North side Guiseley in another potential banana skin tie. The game will be only our fourth visit to Nethermoor where we hold a bit of a mixed record. Our last trip there in August 2017 saw the sides shake hands at the end on a goalless draw, and none of the players featured in that game are at their respective club sides now.

The game will be played on Saturday 30 November 2024 with a 3:00pm kick off. A place in the prestigious Third Round awaits the winners.

9 November 2024

Rovers had to thank young starlet Jake Collier.to ensure they wouldn't become a FA Cup giant killing victim at Blackwell Meadows today. The highly coveted 19 year old struck midway through the second half to grab Rovers a replay and deny the home side a famous win. Tranmere manager Mark Duell was obviously taking the tie seriously with a near as full strength side against the Quakers. One of the surprise inclusions gave the away side the lead after 32 minutes, skipper Jon Murray sending Paul Mullin away down the left and his low cross was swept home at the near post by Harvey Davies. It was a first goal in Tranmere colours for the Leeds United loanee. However, the lead only lasted four minutes when winger Joe Leesley crashed an unstoppable effort into the far corner.

Leesley would have a hand in the goal that gave Darlington the lead in the opening minute of the second half. It was his corner that Tranmere failed to deal with and Daniel Lewis provided the finish with aplomb. This shook Rovers and they equalised in the 67th minute. Murray weighted a ball over the top of the home defence and Collier showed calmness and confidence to score his fifth goal of the season and why so many clubs are interested in him. Neither side could breakthrough after that, so we're back to the Wirral for a replay which Rovers really wanted to avoid.

Team: Dewhurst; Alfieri, Reynolds, Mbulu, Kenlock; Sowah; Matthews, Murray ©; Scott, Mullin, Davies. Substitutes: Durrant (for Matthews 50), Collier (for Davies 61), Ofoborh (for Sowah 85), Ward, Songo'o, Sea, Pressley.
Goalscorers: Davies (32), Collier (67)
Man of the Match: Joe Leesley (Darlington)
Attendance: 2628 (618 Rovers)


It took just one goal that's all and Tranmere Rovers are into the second round of this season's Emirates FA Cup. That goal came four minutes after the restart when Murray clipped a free kick from wide on the left to the far post and Yann Songo'o rose above all and sundry to plant his header into the opposite corner of the net. With former Rovers traillist Tyreece Ruddock looking to pull the strings, the Quakers were always in contention but the home defence never buckled. A close encounter but the win was the important thing.
Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o; Tee, Murray ©; Scott, Mullin, Sea. Substitutes: Scott (for Matthews 59), Collier (for Sea 73), Pressley (for Mullin 84), Ward, Ofoborh, Richards, Durrant.
Goalscorer: Songo'o (49)
Man of the Match: Yann Songo'o (Tranmere)
Attendance: 4451 (369 away)

12 November 2024

The finale of this season's Checkatrade Trophy campaign ended predictably in defeat as two goals in the second half proved enough to see Tranmere at the Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood. Fielding a reasonably strong side, Rovers held their own despite under heavy bombardment by the hosts. The opening goal would come two minutes after the restart, Sean Longstaff blasting home an effort from the edge of the penalty area which beat Calum Ward at his near post. The win was secured in time added on when Mallik Wilks dug the ball out from under his feet to strike home a shot that found the net via the help of a post.

In the other game, holders Liverpool Under 23 sneaked into the knockout stages by defeating Peterborough United 2-1 at London Road thanks to a Grant Bentley brace. The final standings are as follows:

.
Team: Ward; Alfieri, Reynolds, Graham, Richards; Ofoborh; Matthews, Sowah; Scott ©, Sea; Davies. Substitutes: Collier (for Davies 52), Durrant (for Matthews 67), Sanders (for Scott 67), Dewhurst, Mullin, Songo'o, Ollie Banks.
Goalscorers: None
Man of the Match: Sean Longstaff (Fleetwood Town)
Attendance: 636 (271 Rovers)