Match Preview: Southport v Tranmere Rovers

As Tranmere prepare for their second local derby in quick succession as they travel to Southport tomorrow night, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....

After what was a fantastic birthday weekend for myself, helped immensely by the scoreline on Saturday, Rovers make the thirty-mile trip up the A59 to Southport on Tuesday night aiming to stretch their unbeaten run to four games and hopefully picking up another three points along the way.

Form Guide:

After two draws against Kidderminster and Welling as well as a 2-0 win over Chester on Saturday, Rovers sit eighth in the table on 15 points – just two off the playoffs.  Having scored at least once in their last four games, scoring two twice, things seem to have clicked upfront for Tranmere.

Southport’s fortunes have been less than favourable. Currently they sit 23^rd in the table with 5 points, having won only one game all season – 3-0 over Altrincham Town on Bank Holiday Monday.  Southport have lost six out of their nine games, with their most recent loss coming away at Forest Green Rovers at the weekend.  The Port fought well but suffered a 2-1 loss, despite almost equalising in the dying minutes of the game.  That scoreline meant FGR have won their last three games 2-1 so if you’re after odds for Tuesday perhaps a 2-1 win is the way to go?

Previous Meetings:

Having not met in almost thirty years competitively, this season’s game offers the chance for a totally new generation to experience this local derby.  The first recorded meeting between the two came in 1921 when both sides were in Division Three (North) and finished 2-2.  Interestingly, the last competitive match between Rovers and The Port in 1977 in the League Cup also finished 2-2.  The stats are in the Whites favour, with Rovers winning 39 of the previous meetings, versus Southport’s 23.  

Tranmere did make a visit to Haig Avenue (now named Merseyrail Community Stadium) in 2008 as the sides met in a preseason friendly. The match ended in a 4-1 win for Rovers with goals from Craig Curran (x2), Andy Taylor and Ian Moore. The Total Tranmere Match Report for that 2008 friendly can be found on THIS LINK for those who are interested!

Injuries and Suspensions:

There are no new injury concerns for Rovers ahead of Tuesday’s game.  Mekki played almost a full game on Saturday after being rested following a slight hamstring injury whilst both Norwood and Mangan continue to rack up the minutes as they work to get fully match fit.  There’s a possibility that Mangan may not play due to the fact Southport will be the second of three games in seven days which could be a stretch for the player but here’s hoping his knee holds out!

The Opposition Dugout:

Liverpool-born Paul Carden is currently the man in charge of Southport.  The 36-year old began his playing career at Blackpool before having spells at Chester City, Peterborough United, Cambridge United (where he was also caretaker manager) and Luton Town where he spent the last of his playing days in 2011.  Although he initially left Cambridge United following their playoff defeat to Wrexham in 2008, Carden returned as assistant manger to our very own Gary Brabin.

When Brabin left United a year later, Carden took over as caretaker Manager.  In 2011, Carden signed on loan for Luton Town where he linked up with former boss Gary Brabin, Luton’s Manager at the time, for a second time.  Despite still officially being Cambridge’s Assistant Manager, Carden played against them for Luton during his loan spell.  Eventually, Brabin made Carden his assistant manager again and Carden stayed with Luton until 2013 whilst Brabin moved onto manage Southport.  When Brabin left Southport in January of this year to take up his academy post at Everton, Carden was named manager of Southport and he successfully kept The Port in the Conference despite their poor form all season.  Small World eh?

One to Watch:

Gary Jones (38) - Midfielder (English)

Local boy Gary Jones is this week’s one to watch.  The experienced midfielder has started every one of Southport’s games this season after signing in the summer and grabbed his first goal for the club on Bank Holiday Monday.  Born in Birkenhead, Jones has played for Swansea City, Rochdale, Barnsley and Notts County.  Perhaps best known to Rovers’ fans for being booked in the final game of the League One season just over a year ago as Bradford Town beat Rovers 2-1 and Tranmere were relegated to League Two.

However justice was restored (sort of) as Jones was relegated this summer with Notts County who are now enjoying life in League Two!  Jones meanwhile jumped ship and signed for Southport.  Jones holds the all-time appearance record for Rochdale with 464 appearances.  Despite his experience and his goal against Altrincham, Jones has yet to make his mark at Southport and help stop their stint down the wrong end of the table – so here’s to his hat-trick on Tuesday night!

Alongside Jones, Southport have a number of experienced and/or highly rated players.  31-year old Michael Symes has yet to play a game for Southport, but has a racked up goals for Burton Albion, Shrewsbury and Bournemouth – for who he scored his debut goal against Tranmere with a penalty in August 2010.  Defender Andy Bishop signed for Southport at the end of August after spending just two months at Halifax.  The former Bury, Wrexham and York player is now 32 and has made three appearances for Southport this season.

Another defender -  Andrai Jones is currently plying his trade at Southport, but Rovers’ fans may remember him from a brief loan spell he had at Prenton Park in 2013 – although he only made two appearances so maybe not!  On the subject of former Rovers’ players – Andy Coughlin is Southport’s first choice goalkeeper.  Coughlin signed in the summer after he turned down a new contract at Wrexham and has started all 9 games so far this season – draw your own conclusions between Southport’s Goals Against column and Coughlin as a number one. Ben Davies, currently of Preston spent time on loan with Rovers last season but joined on loan last week and went straight into the Southport squad for their game against Forest Green Rovers.

Other former Tranmere players to play for Southport include fan favourite Danny Holmes, everyone’s favourite villain Kevin Ellison and last season’s centre back Adam Dugdale.

Around the League:

Woking vs Forest Green Rovers:  Can FGR continue to break records and maintain an 100% start to the season as they take on fifth place Woking?

Chester vs Grimsby:  Last weekend’s opponents take on Friday’s opponents.  Chester will be keen to put their defeat to Rovers behind them whilst Grimsby will be looking to jump into the playoff spots before their televised game against Tranmere on Friday (BT Sport, 7:45pm).

My Starting XI:

    Davies

Iheikwie             Sutton                 Hogan                 Hill

Dawson              Harris                   Jennings             Ridehalgh

  Norwood           Mangan

One change from the team that started on Saturday with Ridehalgh coming in for Mekki. Mekki did well, but I feel Liam has been a strongest player all season and should be starting.  Hoping Mangan is fit and can play 3 in 7 days, him and Norwood are starting to form a good partnership up front and should continue together for as long as possible.

Although our midfield disappeared in the second half of Saturday’s game, only to reappear after Chester’s penalty miss, I thought they were pretty solid throughout the first 45 minutes and would keep the Harris/Jenno pairing.  As a team, the players need to ensure we don’t drop deep and take our foot of the gas second half as we did against Chester, I was sure a Kidderminster repeat was on the cards when that penalty was awarded.  Keep pushing forward and not let the opposition into the box eliminates that possibility.

Score Prediction? 3-0 Rovers with Norwood and Mangan both netting before one of our defenders decides to have a go.

I will be at Southport this Tuesday so please come and say Hi if you see me, and if you have any tips for parking around the area they are very welcome – thanks!