Match Preview: Tranmere Rovers v Altrincham

As Tranmere prepare to host Altrincham on Monday afternoon, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....

Tranmere kicked off their festive period with a 2-1 win over ten man Macclesfield on Saturday and will now face Altrincham on Monday in their second game in three days.  Altrincham meanwhile saw their game against Chester postponed at the weekend due to a waterlogged pitch.  Can Brabin’s Boys make it two in two and take another three points or was that win just another fleeting glimpse of what a team Rovers could be before they descend on another winless run?

Previous Meetings:

The two sides have already played once this season back in August with Altrincham running out 2-1 winners, thanks to goals from George Bowerman and Michael Rankine and a Lois Maynard consolation.  Rovers and Altrincham have met a few times before in pre season friendlies, the most recent coming in 2014, but games were also played in 2007, 2010 and 2013 - that I can remember!

Form Guide:

Altrincham find themselves at the wrong end of the table this Christmas, sitting in 19th just two points above the relegation zone.  December was a difficult month for The Robins, losing two (admittedly against Cheltenham and Forest Green) and drawing one (their FA Cup Trophy game against Leamington) whilst November saw two wins and two losses for the club.

Although still scoring the odd goal during these losses and draws, it’s been the rate of which Altrincham are conceding goals that is their biggest concern - 38 conceded already in the league this season.  That’s ten more than Rovers have conceded this season.  Tranmere meanwhile have hopefully seen an upturn in their form with their win over Macclesfield, thanks to goals from Steve McNulty and Michael Ihiekwe. 

Rovers were ahead during the game before Macclesfield got a goal back through Dennis but Tranmere rallied and got that crucial second goal in the 77th minute, putting an end to a five game winless run for the Whites.

Injuries and Suspensions:

Both Liam Ridehalgh and Martin Riley were spotted warming up before the game on Saturday so I’d assume they are now injury free which just leaves Liam Hogan recovering over this festive period - Hogan also missed the last game against Altrincham through injury.

Altrincham Team:

Michael Rankine is currently Altrincham’s top scorer with six in all competitions but George Bowerman isn’t far behind with five.  Only Jordan Sinnott has played in at least some of every game this season for Altrincham - not sure if it’s anything to do with being the Manager’s son but the former Huddersfield and Bury player has been a constant in the side during the season.

Altrincham also have their very own Harry Cain within their ranks. Cain has yet to make an appearance for Altrincham but the former Sandbach schoolboy only signed in December having led his county (Cheshire) to the final of the FA Youth Cup in the summer.  Still, with a name like that he’s got to have high hopes for his future.

My Starting XI:

Davies

Vaughan         Sutton                  Ihiekwe           Ridehalgh 

     Harris                Jennings         

Mekki                     Maynard                     Kirby

Norwood

I’m sticking with the team I suggested for the Macclesfield game for the same reasons I suggested last week!  At home we need to be more attacking and hopefully this is our most attacking set up - especially since Ihiekwe has decided to start scoring! 

I didn’t travel to Macclesfield, but have heard from those there that GTF wasn’t at his best and neither was Hill so if true I’d drop them and bring in Ridehalgh and Kirby, who both performed well the last time I watched them.  Mekki provided the assists for both goals and has been a real star in a pretty dismal side lately and deserves his place in the starting eleven.

I’d love another win on Monday but if I’m honest a draw would do - it’s not a loss and it keeps us in with the pack.