Match Preview: Dover Athletic v Tranmere Rovers

As Tranmere prepare to make the long trip to face Dover on Saturday afternoon, Louise Formston returns with her match preview ahead of the game.....  

Rovers make the long trip down south this weekend as they aim to stay unbeaten in March and cement a place in the play offs by taking on Dover.  A midweek draw against Guiseley has seen Rovers 5^th in the table, equal on points with Braintree and just three points ahead of 6^th placed Dover – if there was ever a six-pointer, this game is it.

Form Guide:

Rovers have still lost just two games since the start of the year and despite the draw midweek still look good for the playoffs. Perhaps the only bit that concerned me about our draw was the fact we conceded so soon after we’d scored, however three days earlier we actually scored a goal from open play so I guess beggars can’t be choosers! Dover meanwhile have suffered four defeats in their last ten games, winning the other six. Up until Tuesday, they were losing a game, and then winning before losing again. Since Saturday they’ve won two on the bounce – surely time for a loss?

Previous Meetings:

Earlier in the season, Dover took home all three points as they won 1-0 at Prenton Park.  A Ricky Miller strike gave Dover the lead in the first half and Tranmere failed to equalise.  According to Dover’s Official Website, it was a well-deserved win for the other Whites. I remember it differently but there we go!

Injuries and Suspensions:

All players are now back from suspension, but McNulty was taken off through injury on Tuesday night and it’s not clear whether he will return this weekend. According to Dover’s website, they may also be missing players – defending duo Liam Bellamy and Tyrone Sterling may be forced to miss out whilst captain Jamie Grimes might not pass a late fitness test.

Dover’s Squad:

I was going to talk about Dover’s top scorer in this bit, but within Dover’s official match preview of this weekends game they list two different players as their top scorers.  I do wonder about this League when not even official sites can keep their stats updated.  So both Ricky Miller and Stefan Payne are ones to keep an eye on, especially if McNulty isn’t around.  Both have been scoring for fun of late, with goal tallies to rival Norwood’s.  Dover have also just signed defender Craig Braham-Barrett, formerly of Macclesfield and Cheltenham to hopefully solve their defensive injury woes.  Braham-Barrett is available for Saturday.

My Starting XI:

Davies missed out on this game at Prenton Park due to his red card earlier that week, but he’d be my first name on the team sheet every week.  A back four of Vaughan, McNulty, Ihiekwe and Ridgehalgh would probably be our most solid, but should McNulty be injured then Martin Riley can take his place. I’d have a midfield three of Hughes, Harris and Jennings to sit in front of the back four.

Hughes to provide a more creative up front outlet, Jennings to support the defence and Harris to scare the life out of as many Dover players as he can charging from box to box.  On the wings, just in front of the three Kirby and Mekki – both have been a revelation of late and Mekki has already stated his intent to show Dover what they missed out on.  No point kidding myself, Norwood is going to be up front on his own.

I won’t be making the trip down, but I have nothing but respect for those that will be.  Hopefully the players can repay that with three points.  A win for Tranmere would see Rovers potentially move to fourth and close the gap with Grimsby to just four points.  A win for Dover and they could move up to 4^th, with Rovers dropping out of the play offs.  High stakes it really is.