Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers

31 January 2020

Setting the scene…

Tranmere Rovers head to the University of Bolton Stadium for a Sky Bet League One fixture away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 3pm.

Micky Mellon’s men will be aiming to return to winning ways following on from Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat against Sunderland at Prenton Park.

Awaiting Rovers are Keith Hill’s Trotters, who are currently bottom of the table having collected eight points so far after Tuesday night’s 1-1 home draw against Bristol Rovers.

Team news

Manny Monthe is suspended after his sending off in midweek.

Corey Blackett-Taylor, Sid Nelson, Ollie Banks, Mark Ellis and Evan Gumbs are out of action.

Peter Clarke, Liam Ridehalgh and Neil Danns are doubtful for the clash in Greater Manchester.

James Vaughan, Morgan Feeney and Luke McCullough are all eligible for Saturday.

One to watch

Experienced forward Daryl Murphy is currently Wanderers’ top scorer with eight goals.

The Republic of Ireland international made his name at Sunderland, who he signed for 2005 after previous spells at Luton Town and Waterford United.

Murphy turned out 124 times for the Black Cats, helping them to promotion up to the Premier League in 2007 either side of loans at Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.

He switched to Celtic for £1m in 2010 prior to spending six seasons in the Sky Bet Championship with Ipswich Town, where he made 207 appearances, netting on 61 occasions.

Murphy was on the books of Newcastle United during 2016/17 and he was a part the Magpies’ promotion-winning term.

Two years at Nottingham Forest followed before the 36-year-old moved to Bolton last September.

Match officials

Referee: Scott Oldham

Assistant Referees: Thomas Harty and Geoffrey Liddle
Fourth Official: Kevin Mulraine

Tickets

Tickets for our visit to the University of Bolton Stadium are now off sale.

There will be no pay on the day this Saturday.

Past meetings

Tranmere’s record versus Bolton stands at won 11, drawn 10 and lost 16.

Match coverage

If you are not a part of the SWA coming to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, then an iFollow match pass costing just £2.50 is the ideal alternative.

TRFC Radio’s commentary team of Phill Wilkinson and Rob Edwards will be behind the mic as Rovers travel to the Trotters.

So, if you want uninterrupted full-match commentary on Saturday, sign-up now for only £2.50 - which is great value.

iFollow is the official streaming service of Tranmere Rovers Football Club, allowing the SWA to see live streaming of matches, audio match commentary and behind the scenes content while you can get closer to the Club by watching on any device and in any location around the globe.

Seventy per-cent of revenues from iFollow will go back into Tranmere Rovers Football Club, so don’t miss the chance to see exclusive TRFC content.

iFollow operates five separate packages including audio season pass, audio monthly pass, video match pass, audio match pass and a basic pass.

To sign-up, CLICK HERE. To find out more about the available packages, CLICK HERE.

Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

Twitter: @TranmereRovers

Facebook: @trfcofficial

Instagram: @tranmererovers

TikTok: @tranmererovers

Did you know?

Rovers’ last trip to Bolton saw them knock-out the then-Premier League outfit 2-1 after extra-time in January 2004 when Iain Hume’s winner earned a third-round replay triumph.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Bolton 2-0 Tranmere

1 February 2020

Tranmere Rovers were beaten 2-0 away to Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.

Dennis Politic put Keith Hill’s Trotters ahead after just two minutes and forward Chris O’Grady extended their lead just past the hour through a volley

Backed by a large SWA support, manager Micky Mellon handed debuts to new signings Morgan Feeney and James Vaughan, while Harvey Gilmour also came into the starting line-up.

Bolton were in front with the contest only two minutes old when Politic drove a right-footed volley from the edge of the penalty area which found Scott Davies’ top right corner.

Davies then had to be quick off his line to deny forward Daryl Murphy in the six-yard box.

O’Grady headed over Davies’ crossbar from a Politic cross as Rovers came under pressure in the opening ten minutes.

Rovers began to find their rhythm, with Connor Jennings’ effort from distance comfortable for goalkeeper Remi Matthews before Morgan Ferrier blasted over after making space for himself.

Kieron Morris’ weaved inside from the left midway through the half, only to see his shot blocked by defender Toto Nsiala.

Goal scorer Politic beat Kane Wilson down the right, only to drag his daisycutter from a dangerous position wide of Davies’ near post.

Morris’ right-sided corner was met by Feeney at the back post on the half-hour mark, though his header across goal was punched away by Matthews.

In the closing minutes of the opening period, Rovers enjoyed some pressure on the hosts’ goal, with Morris’ free-kick straight at Matthews from 25-yards after Jennings had been brought down.

Up the other end, Calum Woods did well to get his body in the way of an O’Grady shot on the turn inside the box.

Wilson got the better of his marker to fizz a low cross towards Morris inside the box, who hit an effort on the turn only for Jason Lowe to block.

Following on from the restart, Politic’s free-kick was cleared by Jennings’ face in the wall prior to Ethan Hamilton’s tame attempt not troubling Davies.

With 11 minutes of the second-half gone, Vaughan teed up Gilmour, with the midfielder striking powerfully first-time which was charged down by Josh Emmanuel.

Captain Davies was forced to make into action, denying Hamilton’s initial low strike before Politic’s follow-up was cleared off the line.

But Bolton doubled their advantage on 64 minutes when O’Grady, slammed an un-marked volley beyond Davies from close-range after a cross was not cleared.

Mellon introduced former Wanderers midfielder Neil Danns into proceedings, as he replaced Jennings with 25 minutes left to play.

Seeking a response, Wilson clipped a cross into Vaughan, who was inches from diverting into the net.

Bolton were hopeful of a third late on, and Hamilton twisted and turned inside the area, but he bent over the upright.

Next up for TRFC is a home fixture against Doncaster Rovers at Prenton Park this Tuesday night, 7:45pm kick-off.

TRFC: Davies ©, Caprice, Feeney (Nelson 90), Woods, Wilson, Morris, Gilmour, Woodyard, Jennings, (Danns 66) Ferrier, Vaughan

Subs not used: Pilling, McCullough, Perkins, Walker-Rice, Potter

Match Reports

Ticket News

Bolton tickets now on sale

27 January 2020

Tickets for Tranmere Rovers’ Sky Bet League One fixture away at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 1^st February are now on sale.

The SWA have been allocated the full upper tier at the University of Bolton Stadium. The total allocation is 2,143.

Included are 2,123 standard match tickets to sell along with ten wheelchair and carer tickets.

Please note that there will be no ticket sales on the day of the game.

Prices for this fixture are as follows:

Adult: £20

Over 65s: £12

U23s: £12

U18s: £10

Wheelchair and ambulant disabled tickets are charged at the same price as the above with the carer free of charge.

Postage tickets will go off sale at 12pm on Tuesday 28th January and all tickets will go off sale at 2pm on Friday 31st January.

Official coach travel is also available, which will depart Prenton Park at 11.30am.

Full coach travel details can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Ticket News

Standings

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