Match preview: Fleetwood Town v Tranmere Rovers

5 September 2023

Fleetwood Town are back in action on Tuesday night as they play their first match in this season's EFL Trophy competition, with Tranmere Rovers the visitors to Highbury Stadium for a 7pm kick-off.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Tranmere Rovers

Competition: EFL Trophy

Date & kick-off: Tuesday 5 September 2023 (7pm)

Venue: Highbury Stadium

FLEETWOOD TOWN

With the news on Sunday morning that Scott Brown had left the club with immediate efffect, Under-21s coach Matt Lawlor will be in the dugout for the EFL Trophy match against Tranmere Rovers. Mark Yeates and club legend Nathan Pond will assist on Tuesday night.

Town made the long trip down to The Valley on Saturday, but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Jason Pearce's side - who took charge of the Addicks after Dean Holden was sacked the week before. Alfie May scored just before half-time to cancel out Jayden Stockley's opener, and then he netted from the penalty spot to seal a vital three points on home soil.

Deadline Day signing Xavier Simons is available for selection after missing the deadline to feature on Saturday afternoon, so with some players away on international duty, will he make his first start in the red and white of Fleetwood Town? Kabongo Tshimanga made his first start from the bench on Saturday, so will he be ready to make his first start on Tuesday night?

TRANMERE ROVERS

The visitors to Highbury currently sit 21st in Sky Bet League Two, with one win from their opening six matches. Their only win came against Harrogate Town back in August, with the last game being a 1-0 defeat at home to newly-promoted Wrexham at Prenton Park - Aaron Hayden scored the only goal of the match.

Rovers will be looking to beat Town as last time they met in the 2019/20 season, Fleetwood won 2-1 thanks to goals from Paddy Madden and Josh Morris. Paul Mullen scored for Tranmere but this time a win for either side will help with their cause to progress to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.

On Deadline Day, Tranmere brought in Blackpoolm forward Rob Apter. Ian Dawnes - who was a coach at the Seasiders before heading to Birkenhead knows of Rob's qualities, and will be hoping the youngster can push the whites forward and up the table. 11 players came through the doors in the summer window at Tranmere with 17 players leaving the building.

TICKET NEWS

The last campaign saw the Cods take on the likes of Manchester United’s future stars, as well as Carlisle United and Barrow, with all three group games going to penalties.

Unfortunately, Town didn’t make it out of the group that time, even after beating United’s Under-21s, but they will look to make it further this year as they are set to match up with the Tranmere, Leicester City’s Under-21s, and Wigan Athletic.

Tickets for the EFL Trophy fixture will be cut price – compared to the league pricing structure – with adults able to watch from the stands for £10, concessions for £5, and Under-18s for just £1 – you can buy both in-store or via our online store now!

*Please note, Onward Card holders will have to purchase tickets for this fixture as your season ticket is only valid for Sky Bet League One matches, the pricing structure above applies.

WATCH THE MATCH FOR A TENNER ON IFOLLOW

For just £10, supporters based in the United Kingdom or overseas can watch the full match live on iFollow. With BBC Radio Lancashire providing full uninterrupted coverage, you won't miss any of the action from Highbury Stadium meaning you can see Matt Lawlor's side look to secure their first win of the campaign against Tranmere Rovers.

With season passes available for those based in the U.K or overseas, why not check out the packages HERE, meaning you can save money over the course of the 2023/24 season.

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town pick up their first win of the season against Tranmere

5 September 2023

Fleetwood Town kicked off their EFL Trophy campaign with a 2-0 win against League Two Tranmere Rovers.

Two goals from second-half substitutes Jayden Stockley and Phoenix Patterson were enough to take the Cod Army to the top of Northern Group D.

Town took control of the opening 20 minutes with some well-worked passages of play. First, Josh Vela fired a Junior Quitirna cross towards goal, but saw his effort blocked from close range before a flowing team move saw new signing Kabongo Tshimanga arrive ahead of his marker onto the end of a cross - but he could only turn the ball narrowly wide of the post.

One debutant replaced another for Town, as Finley Armstrong was introduced for Adam Montgomery on 35 minutes, following a bad tackle on Montgomery from Tranmere’s Dan Pike.

A minute later Tshimanga whacked an effort against the outside of the post from close range after latching onto Mayor’s ball. The striker continued to threaten, coming close again shortly after from another cross - this time denied by a great save from McGee.

Interim boss Matt Lawlor’s side started the second half as they left off with another flowing move, as midfielder Mayor struck a sweet effort from the edge of the 18-yard box, excellently parried wide by McGee. Prior to that, a last-ditch sliding block from Toto Nsiala denied Sam Taylor from opening the scoring at the other end.

Deadline day signings Xaiver Simons, and Tshimanga both left the field with half an hour left to play, as the Cod Army introduced Ryan Broom and Jayden Stockley.

Town continued to utilise space out wide exchanging a number of quick passes, as a powerful delivery from Rooney landed perfectly on the edge of the area for midfielder Mayor, who cannoned an effort towards goal, producing a wonder-save from McGee to deny Fleetwood the lead.

But the home side’s pressure finally paid off in the 70th minute when Fleetwood were awarded a penalty. Quitirna showed excellent feet to skip past a number of challenges before playing Jayden Stockley through on goal. The striker was then brought down by Tranmere defender Pike, who subsequently received a red card.

Stockley stepped up and coolly dispatched the resulting penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Less than 10 minutes later the Cod Army doubled their advantage when Phoenix Patterson collected Ryan Graydon’s half-cleared cross on the edge of the area and stroked the ball into the bottom corner past Tranmere keeper McGee - to seal all 3 points.

Town XI: Lynch (GK), Montgomery (Armstrong 35’), Tshimanga (Stockley 63’), Vela (C), Mayor, Quitirna (Patterson 75’), Simons (Broom 63’) Holgate, Graydon, Nsiala (Teale 75’), Rooney.

Subs not used: Harrington (GK), Hayes.

Tranmere XI: McGee (GK), Walker, Turnbull, Hendry, Merrie, Jennings (C), Taylor (Jolley 75’), Lewis (McAlear 9’), Pike, Apter (Hawkes 75’), Norris (Morris 42’).

Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Dennis, Hughes.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Quid a kid tonight at Highbury

5 September 2023

With kids now back at school after a six week holiday, why not treat your little one to an evening of football under the Highbury lights for the bargain price of just £1!

The doors are back open at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday 4 September, and all supporters will need to buy tickets online HERE or down at the ticket office at Highbury Stadium for the EFL Trophy match against Tranmere Rovers (7pm kick-off).

With kids (Under-18s) ticket prices at just £1, why not bring the little ones with you if a paying adult which means you will only pay £11 for two match tickets (one adult and one child ticket).

Please view full pricing below:

	PARKSIDE STAND
ADULTS	£10
SENIORS / UNDER-25s	£5
UNDER-18s	£1

Buy tickets online, over the phone by calling 01253 775080 (option 1) or by visiting the new Club Shop down at Highbury Stadium, with tickets available until kick-off at 7pm.