Tranmere Rovers v Carlisle United Match Preview
By Mark Ridgway
December 27 2009
A look ahead to Monday’s Coca-Cola League One game as Carlisle United visit Prenton Park for what will be the last match of 2009 for both sides and a chance for Rovers to put some points on the board for the festive season after the postponement of the Boxing Day visit to Oldham’s Boundary Park.....
Monday 28th December 2009 - Kick-Off 3.00pm
Tranmere R v Carlisle Utd
Coca-Cola League One at Prenton Park
On Monday, Tranmere face Carlisle United at Prenton Park looking for their fourth consecutive home victory and clean sheet. Both teams had their boxing day games postponed so both should be fresh after over a week's rest, however we will see who resisted the Christmas pudding once the games starts.
After the disappointment of that Boxing Day postponement of the scheduled trip to Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park, there is a quick chance for Rovers to post some festive points on the board as the Cumbrians make the trip down the M6 to face Les Parry's men.
Shay Logan was Sent Off at Brunton Park Earlier this Season
Carlisle's Brunton Park Stadium was deemed unfit to host the Boxing Day home game against play-off chasing Huddersfield Town due to a frozen pitch so the break will in theory hold no advantage to either team in Monday's encounter.
Carlisle will once again prove a difficult task for Les Parry's improving Rovers side with Greg Abbott's men unbeaten in the last six matches in League and Cup since a 1-0 home defeat to Swindon Town in mid-November, a run which included an impressive 3-1 home win over Norwich City in the FA Cup second round in early December which set up an away tie next week at Goodison Park in Round Three.
Last Time at Prenton Park
Saturday 24th January 2009
Tranmere Rovers 4 - 1 Carlisle United
After a goaless first half, Rovers ran riot in the second half of this game beginning when Ian Moore scored the opener early in the half before Gareth Edds hit his first for the club by smashing in off the bar to double the lead.
Danny Graham, now of Watford scored with a fluke goal to the visitors back in the game, but Rovers soon replied again with Steven Jennings, now of course a Motherwell player, nutmegging Williams in the Carlisle goal.
Ian Moore completed the rout late on with a stunning finish with the outside his foot from a tight angle and it ended 4-1 to Rovers.
Tranmere Rovers: Coyne, Shotton, Chorley, Goodison, Taylor, Sonko, Kay (Edds 45 HT), Jennings, Barnett (Macauley 88), Shuker, Moore.
Substitutes not used: Achterberg, Cresswell, Ahmed.
Carlisle United: Williams, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Graham, Thirlwell (Bridge-Wilkinson 82), Anyinsah, Taylor, Kavanagh, Dobie (Madine 70), Liddell (Horwood 82).
Substitutes not used: Howarth, Keogh.
Last Meeting
Saturday 5th September 2009
Carlisle United 3 - 0 Tranmere Rovers
Rovers poor start to the 2009/10 season continued as John Barnes's men were beaten by the Cumbrians although the game hinged on the sending off of Rovers defender Shay Logan because until then the game was deadlocked.
Rovers barely deserved to lose the game let alone lose 3-0 but once the second half began Carlisle took control and scored through Joe Anyinsah, Danny Livesley and Ian Harte with no reply from Rovers.
Carlisle United: Pidgeley, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Anyinsah (Madine 84), Kavanagh (Bridge-Wilkinson 86), Dobie (Offiong 75), Robson, Thirlwell, Harte, Hurst.
Substitutes not used: Collin, Horwood, Rothery, Kane.
Tranmere Rovers: Daniels, Logan, Gunning, Goodison, Cresswell (Fraughan 65), Shuker (Curran 65), Welsh, Edds, McLaren, Mahon (Taylor 45 HT), Thomas-Moore.
Substitutes not used: Collister, Barnett, Ricketts, Gornell.
Last Christmas Fixture Between the Sides
Wednesday 26th December 2007
Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Carlisle United
Two years ago the two teams met on Boxing Day and Rovers came out the victors despite high-flying Carlisle being favourites ahead of the game.
As it was though, Paul McLarens drive deflected off former Rovers loanee David Raven and in to give the hosts the lead and just before half time the game was sealed by Rovers hero Antony Kay when McLarens corner found him around the penalty spot and Kay chipped it over his marker before powering an unstoppable volley into the top corner.
That goal eventually was voted Rovers goal of the season and the game ended 2-0 to the home side although it was marred by what proved to be a long-term injury to Chris Shuker which kept him out of action for many months.
Tranmere's Last League Game
Saturday 19th December 2009
Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Bristol Rovers
Last week Rovers continued their good form under Les Parry by beating play- off hopefuls Bristol Rovers 2-0 at Prenton Park. Craig Curran curled in the opener from the edge of the box and Gareth Edds poked in the second in the second half as Rovers ran out comfortable winners.
Tranmere Rovers: Daniels, Logan, Taylor, Goodison, Bakayogo, Edds, McLaren, Welsh, Curran, Gornell, Thomas-Moore.
Substitutes not used: Collister, Cresswell, Barnett, Fraughan, Ricketts, Shuker, Macauley.
Tranmere's Home Form
Tranmere 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Tranmere 1-0 Brentford
Tranmere 0-0 Aldershot
Tranmere 2-0 Southend
Tranmere 1-1 Leyton Orient
Carlisle Last League Game
Saturday 12th December
Carlisle United 1 - 0 Wycombe Wanderers
Carlisle's last two League games have been called off, so their last game was over two weeks ago and was a 1-0 home victory over Wycombe. Ian Harte's free kick was diverted in by Vincent Pericard for the only goal of the game just before half time.
Carlisle United: Collin, Keogh, Livesey (Aldred 90), Harte, Horwood, Hurst, Murphy (Dobie 76), Kavanagh, Clayton, Robson, Pericard.
Substitutes not used - Pidgeley, Bridge-Wilkinson, Tinnion, Burns, Kane.
Carlisle's Away Form
Gillingham 0-0 Carlisle
Mk Dons 3-4 Carlisle
Morecambe 0-1 Carlisle
Bristol Rovers 3-2 Carlisle
Chesterfield 3-1 Carlisle
Players to Watch - Carlisle United
Vincent Pericard - The big front man proved himself as a goal scorer in his time at Portsmouth, but injuries hampered his Stoke career and he is looking to get his career back on track.
Ian Harte - the former Leeds defender played for them in the glory days, his left footed free kicks are always a threat to teams.
Graham Kavanagh - The experienced midfielder has been all over the place, and has a calming influence on the team in the centre midfield role.
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goodison motm in my opinion with daniels/curran good games.
Looked rusty but still should have been 1-0.
expect ITM will get slated on here, i feel for him gave it his all and i hope it is not his last contribution in a tranmere shirt.
can't fault the effort again just lack of composure today.
Thought MOTM was Goodison by a country mile, by far our best player there today. McLaren was better than usual but really needs to be more simple at times, as does Ash with his distribution (defensively v.good again though!)
Fortunately every other team around us except Brighton lost or drew, so it's a point made up on some teams although it should of been 3.
Feels really strange to come away from a home game disapointed with a draw!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:28:18:24:58 by Mikey.
I'm still amazed at how solid we are starting to look at the back.
Another home game without conceding and as mentioned above a draw isn't a total disaster I suppose although they had chances to win the game as well.
As for that miss it brought back the Zola era all over again and he will deservedly get stick for it!
Goodison was the same Goodison we've watched for season, back to his best. we didn't miss Broomes at all (doesn't surprise me) Zoom had a decent game also. Midfield was place that let us down today, they didn't play poorly dont get me wrong, just not creative enough and all too often didn't look up before puttin a cross in.
My MOTM though for yet another week is Craig Curran. If everyone worked as hard as him lately we'd finish comfortably above drop zone.
few months ago we had like 10 points and i hated going to PP, we need to be beating teams like this at home IDEALLY, but in current circumstances and form, im not too displeased with the draw. ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET!!!
would like to see taylor edds and mahon when fully fit in the middle.
Welsh i think has been good last few months though i feel he was too quiet last 2 home games.
me and my mates really struggled to think of one when i asked who there player of the season would be so far....
i went for Edds but it is really hard call lol.
Who ever finishes season well will surely walk it.