Match Preview: Southend United

23 October 2020

Tranmere Rovers face Southend United on Saturday afternoon at Prenton Park looking to pick up three points after two disappointing results.

Southend arrive at Prenton Park bottom of Sky Bet League Two with two points from their opening six games.

The sides last met last season in Sky Bet League One in a 0-0 draw at Roots Hall after a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park earlier that season.

Team news

Manager Mike Jackson revealed that he has James Vaughan and Jack Young back in training at the end of this week and will have to assess their fitness ahead of the game.

Manny Monthe looks likely to miss out again after having an injection in his knee to calm down a knee problem.

Stefan Payne has been ruled out for three months after surgery on his groin. Morgan Ferrier and Corey Blackett-Taylor are still struggling with hamstring issues.

Match officials

Referee - Andy Woolmer

Assistant Referee 1 - Steven Meredith

Assistant Referee 2 - Nik Barnard

Fourth Official - Philip Dermott

One to watch

Midfielder, Kyle Taylor.

On loan from Championship side Bournemouth, Taylor has been a bright spark in the Shrimpers’ side so far this season. He has displayed a range of passing in the middle of the park and keeps hold of possession well. He will be looking to make things tick in central midfield for Southend and create chances going forward. Rovers will need to keep an eye of him when battling to gain control of the game in midfield.

Match coverage

With supporters currently unable to attend live games, an iFollow individual match pass can be obtained for £10. Season ticket holders will not be required to purchase a pass for this weekend’s game as it is a home match.

The TRFC radio team of Phil Wilkinson and Adam Siddorn will be in place at Prenton Park to provide live updates on proceedings.

Individual match passes for every Tranmere Rovers game are priced at just £10. For full information on how to sign up for iFollow is available by CLICKING 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

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Tranmere 2-0 Southend

24 October 2020

Tranmere Rovers returned to winning ways against Southend United courtesy of goals either side of half time from Peter Clarke and James Vaughan to seal a 2-0 win at Prenton Park

The hosts worked hard throughout the entire game to collect all three points against United, as Clarke grabbed his first goal for the Club, and his 29th of his career, whilst Vaughan got his name on the scoresheet on his return to the squad.

Captain Davies made a tremendous save on his return to the first team, denying Southend’s Arsenal loan man James Olayinka from a one on one position.

Southend’s second opportunity came in the 25th minute, as Harry Lennon curled a free-kick over the cross bar, but Davies had it covered.

Tranmere manager Mike Jackson opted to make two alterations before the half hour mark, as Lee O’Connor and Otis Khan were replaced by Calum MacDonald and Sam Smith.

The two changes came just before a free-kick for Rovers, and from the set-piece Clarke rose above the Southend backline to head home his first goal for the Club, meeting Liam Feeney’s free-kick.

Rovers ended the game a lot more positivity and looked to build on the goal going into the second half with the rain hammering down in Prenton.

Tranmere could have very easily been 2-0 up as Clarke once again connected with a free-kick, this time by MacDonald, but the linesman adjudged him to be in an offside position after the goalkeeper made the stop.

The home side doubled their advantage with 52 minutes on referee Andy Woolmer’s clock. Vaughan hit a 25-yard strike which took a deflection off a Southend shirt, which wrongfooted the goalkeeper as the ball nestled into the far-left hand corner.

Kyle Taylor had a big chance for Southend and should have made it 2-1 but he hit the ball over the bar with the outside of his foot, but he over cooked his shot.

Another good chance from a set-piece for Tranmere, as Vaughan connected with Feeney’s corner but headed over.

The Club’s top goal scorer had a fabulous opportunity for his second and Club’s third, but Mark Oxley in the Shrimpers goal made a spectacular save.

Tranmere made their third and final change as Jay Spearing came off in place of fellow central midfielder Ollie Banks.

And straight after the substitution, another Tranmere corner caused chaos in the penalty box, as Vaughan had a header saved and with the ball deflecting back out, he hit the side netting.

TRFC looked dangerous in the dying embers of the game and contained the threat from Southend as they pushed for a way back into the contest, but the score stayed 2-0 and three points confirmed for Jackson’s men.

We are next in action on Tuesday night away at Crawley Town, with the game kicking off at 6:30pm. We will be bringing full coverage live via iFollow and you can watch the game for just £10. To sign up, please CLICK HERE.

Tranmere: Davies, O’Connor (MacDonald 28), Clarke, Ellis, Ridehalgh, Khan (Smith 28), Feeney, Spearing (Banks 79), Young, Morris, Vaughan. Unused subs: Murphy, Nelson, Burton, Blackett-Taylor.

Southend: Oxley, Bwomono, Olayinka (Goodship 68), Dieng, Egbri (Rush 86), Clifford, Acquah (Sterling 69), Nathaniel-George, Demetriou, Lennon, Taylor. Unused subs Seaden, Hobson, Phillips, Taylor.