Match Preview: Harrogate Town

20 December 2021

It’s back-to-back home games for Rovers as we look to make it four wins in a row against Harrogate Town in the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy.

The fixture was previously called off due to stadium damage at Prenton Park, but Rovers are now full of confidence coming into this one and will be looking to progress into the third round where they will face Carlisle United at home should they pass Simon Weaver’s men.

Team News:

After a hectic few weeks of fixtures for Micky Mellon, we could potentially see some squad rotation ahead of Tuesday’s game under the lights.

Paul Glatzel and Nat Knight-Percival are still sidelined with injuiries.

One to Watch: Jack Diamond

On loan from Sunderland, Jack Diamond has become a fan’s favourite at Harrogate as he’s experiencing his second loan spell at the club.

The winger helped the club gain promotion from the national league in 2019/20 and looked to have a place in the Sunderland team the following season.

However, after limited game-time at the Stadium of Light, Diamond returned to Town for another season on loan and has got 12 goal involvements in 24 games so far this season for both Sunderland and Harrogate.

Manager: Simon Weaver:

The longest serving manager in the top four tiers of English football, Simon Weaver has been in charge of Harrogate for 12 and a half years after being appointed in May 2009.

Being originally from Doncaster, he played a lot of his football within non-league before being appointed as a player-manager with Harrogate in 2009.

Since being appointed at the EnviroVent Stadium, he’s got nearly 250 wins as Harrogate manager. He also led his side to the football league for the first time in their history after they beat Notts County 3-1 in the National League play-off final at Wembley.

Match Coverage:

Both UK and international supporters are able to watch this game via live stream on iFollow!

Match passes are available for £10 by clicking here. Every pass purchased benefits Tranmere Rovers.

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 reaction from Micky Mellon and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Harrogate Town

21 December 2021

Tranmere Rovers were knocked out of the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night, as Harrogate Town came from behind to progress to round three.

Rovers got out of the blocks quickly at Prenton Park and were good value for their early lead, which came in the tenth minute when Nicky Maynard fired past Mark Oxley in the Harrogate goal. A fourth goal of this season’s competition for Maynard, after a pinpoint delivery from Kyle Hayde, to find the striker.

Rovers continued to pile the pressure on the visitors and could’ve added their second through an unlikely source, Oxley making an impressive save to deny Joe Maguire a first Tranmere goal.

After an early barrage of Rovers pressure, Harrogate started to grow into the game and danger man Jack Diamond had an opportunity to level proceedings. He, however, dragged his shot wide of the goal.

At the other end, Rovers came close to adding a second when Callum McManaman latched onto a loose ball in the box, the 30-year-old’s attempt failing to hit the target.

That would be the last significant chance of a rather uneventful first half, Rovers with the lead, however, thanks to that Maynard strike.

The visitor’s made a lively start to the second half and had an opportunity to restore parity through substitute Jack Muldoon, his header well wide.

Muldoon continued to look lively off the bench for Harrogate and did find the back of the net shortly after, the attacker latching onto a cushioned pass from Josh Falkingham, before slotting past Joe Murphy.

After the equaliser, the pendulum of the game switched and Harrogate got their second in the 71st minute when Alex Pattison converted a rebound after Joe Murphy thwarted Luke Armstrong’s initial attempt.

Harrogate continued to frustrate Rovers and could’ve killed the game off when Armstrong aimed a fierce header goal-bound, the crossbar denying him.

Rovers searched frantically for an equaliser in the closing moments of the clash and Micky Mellon’s decision to throw Peter Clarke on in attack almost earned them a penalty shootout, the defender's cushioned header fell delightfully for Elliott Nevitt who came agonisingly close to equalising with the last kick of the game.

A frustrating evening for Rovers, who were worth their leads in the first half but struggled after the restart and were ultimately edged out by Harrogate, who headed back to Yorkshire with a place in the third round of the competition.

Tranmere team: Murphy, Hayde, MacDonald, Davies, Maguire (Clarke 90'), Merrie (O'Connor 72'), McManaman, Watson, Duffy (Foley 62'), Feeney (Jolley 71'), Maynard (Nevitt 72')

Unused subs: Doohan, Walker