Match Preview: Crewe Alexandra

31 December 2022

Tranmere Rovers look to build on good performances across the festive period, as Micky Mellon’s side visit Crewe Alexandra.

Tranmere Rovers will take short trip to the Mornflake Stadium to face Crewe Alexandra on New Year’s Day, as Micky Mellon’s side look to make it 9 points from 9 over the festive period.

A win for Tranmere could take them up to 7^th place in the table if results go their way, with the points between Christmas and New Year propelling the Whites up the Sky Bet League Two standings.

17^th place Crewe Alexandra come into the game with 2 wins in the last 5 league games, after a 3-0 defeat at home to Carlisle on Thursday evening in the final fixture of 2022.

The Super White Army will be expecting big things from the in-form Rovers side, with the team displaying an excellent performance at Prenton Park on Boxing Day when they beat Doncaster Rovers 3-0, and another good performance at Barrow on Thursday evening – showing exactly what the team are capable of.

Boss, Micky Mellon, expressed his delight at what was described as a performance will ‘desire and fight to win the game’ from his side in the win over Barrow on Thursday.

“To come to a place like Barrow and to perform like we did is very, very good. It’s a credit to the players, especially to go down to ten men – they showed a lot of character, and the supporters rallied them on – it was great to get the winner and to return home with three points.”

One to look forward to though for Crewe fans is that their home form is more successful so far this season than their away form, with 4 wins out of a possible 11 games, as well as 3 draws and 4 losses at the Mornflake Stadium.

Tranmere have already beat Crewe Alexandra in League Two this season, when a goal from Dynel Simeu and a brace from Elliott Nevitt ensured the three points were kept at Prenton Park. Tranmere look to make it two wins from a possible two against the Alex on New Year’s Day.

The Manager: Lee Bell

Crewe Alexandra Manager, Lee Bell, was appointed manager of the club in December, and Sunday’s game will mark one month in charge.

Born in Alsager, Bell started his career aged 14 when he joined Crewe Alexandra’s Academy. He was handed his first professional contract with Crewe in 2002, where he made 53 appearances, scoring 3 goals.

He enjoyed loan spells at Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion, before signing permanently with the Albion in 2007. He played 12 times for Burton, before joining Mansfield Town for the 2007/08 season.

He later spent 2 years at Macclesfield Town, playing 83 times, scoring 3 goals, and towards the end of his career, returned to four of his former clubs, with further spells at Crewe Alexandra, Burton Albion and Macclesfield Town.

Bell has been involved with Crewe as a coach since retirement in 2015, as Under 18s coach and Under 18s Manager. He was then promoted to Under 23s Manager and was appointed First Team interim manager in November after Morris stepped down from the role.

He was offered the permanent job in December 2022 and since has managed just 3 fixtures, being defeated in both of those games – against Newport County, Carlisle United and Stockport County.

Match Coverage:

Sunday's game will be streamed live on iFollow in both the UK and abroad! Click here to get your match pass now for just £10

You can also 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

Barrow 1-2 Tranmere Rovers

29 December 2022

Tranmere Rovers secured a second consecutive victory over the Christmas period after defeating Barrow on Thursday night.

Goals from Jordan Turnbull and Kane Hemmings earned all three points for ten man Rovers.

Tranmere started the game in lightning fashion and broke the deadlock after just six minutes. Ethan Bristow’s corner from the right was met by Jordan Turnbull who turned the ball home on the volley and give Rovers the advantage in Cumbria.

The hosts responded with some pressure of their own with a couple of Jordan Stevens shots being blocked from the edge of the area.

Joel Mumbongo was using his physical presence up front and dispossessed Tyrell Warren on the left before cutting inside and drilling a shot a few yards wide of the post.

With half time approaching, Barrow restored parity. A quickly worked corner routine found Jordan Stevens waiting 25 yards out from goal before arrowing a powerful shot through a sea of bodies and beyond the fingertips of Ross Doohan into the bottom corner.

The home side had the momentum as the half drew to a close as Patrick Brough found space in the box and shot low but Jordan Turnbull was well placed to deny him from close range.

Tranmere got back on the front foot at the start of the second period as Josh Hawkes paced down the left before picking out an unmarked Kieron Morris at the back post who forced Josh Lillis into a fantastic save down to his left.

Approaching the hour mark and Barrow had a glorious chance to equalise. Ben Whitfield drilled a low cross along the six yard box which was begging to be tapped in but Josh Gordon was a stud away from it has he slid in.

Both sides weren’t afraid to have try their luck on goal as Ross Doohan got down well to gather a Ben Whitfield volley at the back post before Josh Hawkes’ curling effort from the left was palmed away by Lillis.

Things were about to become seemingly a lot harder for Rovers as substitute Paul Lewis was shown a straight red card. The ball bounced between the forward and the Barrow goalkeeper but Lewis was adjudged to have gone in dangerously with a high foot and was given his marching orders.

With just under ten minutes remaining, the SWA were sent into raptures as Kane Hemmings sublimely put Rovers ahead. Josh Dacres-Cogley ventured down the right before crossing to Hemmings who launched himself at the ball and powered a diving header beyond Lillis to put ten man Rovers in the driving seat.

Barrow threw everyone forward and had a golden opportunity to steal a point. Warren’s cross was palmed downwards by Doohan to Billy Waters who just had to hit the target from 8 yards but he lost his cool and blazed his effort over the bar.

Rovers stood firm for the remaining five minutes of added on time and recorded an impressive and definitely morale boosting victory in Cumbria.

Tranmere team: Doohan, Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow, Morris, Merrie, O’Connor, Hawkes, Hemmings, Mumbongo (Lewis 58’)