Match Preview: Mansfield Town

10 March 2022

There’s Friday night action under the Prenton Park lights as Micky Mellon’s side look to return to winnings ways as we face Mansfield Town.

With two late goals proving to not be quite enough during Saturday’s defeat to fellow promotion chasers Northampton Town, Rovers will be looking to get back on track against the inform Stags on Friday night.

The visitors are in quite brilliant form coming into the encounter as they’re unbeaten in their last 14 games, one of the best runs in all of England’s top four divisions.

Their last game saw them run out 2-1 winners against Exeter City and moved them within a point of the automatic promotion places following Saturday’s results.

Team News:

No fresh injury concerns for Rovers. Glatzel came on for 40 minutes last game and is nearing full fitness.

Spearing back running in training and will be stepping up his recovery next week.

One to Watch: Matthew Longstaff

A transfer which took many by surprise in the January window, Matty Longstaff is currently on loan from Premier League side Newcastle United.

Still only 21 years of age, Longstaff was one of two brothers who are registered with Newcastle with his relative Sean making 70 appearances including 16 in the Premier League this season.

Matty did have a breakthrough point for the Magpies when he scored on his premier league debut in a 1-0 win over Manchester United. He then also went on to score the opening goal in the reverse fixture against the Red Devils.

After a fairly unsuccessful spell out on loan at Aberdeen, Longstaff was loaned out to the league two outfit in January and will be hoping to help boost them as they challenge for promotion to Sky Bet League One.

Manager: Nigel Clough

After spells in charge of Derby County, Sheffield United and Burton Albion, Clough took charge of the Stags in November 2020.

He had a very successful playing career, being the second highest goal scorer in Nottingham Forest’s history whilst making over 300 appearances for the former European cup winners.

He also featured for Liverpool and Manchester City as a player whilst making 14 appearances for England.

Clough has also experienced success since moving into management. A long spell at Burton Albion saw him set his side up for promotion to the football league but left after an approach from Derby County.

He later joined Sheffield United and took over whilst they was in the relegation places but led the Blades to a seventh-placed finished.

Since being appointed manager of Mansfield, he’s turned the Stags into promotion contenders this season and has his side on one of the best runs in English football.

Match Coverage:

Both UK and overseas supporters can watch this game live on iFollow with a match pass. Click here to get yours!

TRFC Radio will be in position to provide live full match commentary on proceedings at Prenton Park.

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 3-2 Mansfield Town

11 March 2022

Tranmere Rovers picked up a dramatic victory over Mansfield Town on Friday night at Prenton Park.

An early Peter Clarke header followed by an Elliott Nevitt brace was enough to see off an inform Stags side.

It was the dream start for Rovers when after just 5 minutes, a well rehearsed corner routine was met by Calum MacDonald who nodded it into the path of Peter Clarke and the captain was on hand to divert the ball into the back of the net.

With the roar of the SWA behind them, Tranmere continued to attack. This time, Kieron Morris’ cross found it’s way to Paul Glatzel in the box but he just about couldn’t pull the trigger.

The visitors were restricted to chances with their first sight of goal coming from a back post corner. Jamie Murphy turned the ball back towards goal but a sea of white shirts blocked the effort.

Deep into the injury time, Mansfield forced an equaliser. McLaughlin stood a cross up to the back post where an unmarked Longstaff squeezed the ball in from a tight angle despite the best efforts of Joe Murphy.

Rovers started the second half really brightly and should have gone back in front. Glatzel jinked left and right in the box before eventually releasing his shot from close range but it was deflected over.

On the hour mark, McPake struck the woodwork. He found space on the right and got into the box before seeing his powerful effort canon back off the near post.

With 15 minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Elliott Nevitt put the home side back in front. He broke the offside trap after being played through by Lewis Warrington and the striker slotted cooly beneath Bishop.

Just as the board went up for eight minutes of injury time, The Stags grabbed an equaliser against the run of play. Oli Hawkins leapt highest from a corner to power a head home to claim what looked like a point for the visitors.

Another twist was yet to come as Nevitt once again sent the SWA into raptures. He twisted and turned inside the box and fired into the far corner as the clock hit 96 minutes.

Rovers held on for a much needed three points to put them back to third place in Sky Bet League Two

Tranmere team: Murphy, Dacres-Cogley, Clarke, Davies, MacDonald, Morris (Hawkes 28’), Warrington, O’Connor, McPake (Foley 89’), Glatzel (Nevitt 60’), Hemmings