A young Tranmere Rovers side were comfortably beaten by a dominant Fleetwood Town at The Campus on Tuesday afternoon in the Central League.
A hat trick each for Gerard Garner and Harvey Saunders eased the Cod Army to victory.
The opening exchanges of the game produced limited chances for both sides however it was Fleetwood who opened the scoring on the 20th minute. First team player Ashley Hunter produced a whipped cross for Saunders to head beyond Bickerstaffe from six yards out.
Approaching half time, Fleetwood doubled their lead. A direct run from the right back resulted in a cut back to Garner who side footed the ball into the top left corner to give the visitors a commanding lead at the break.
Shortly after the interval, the lead was extended. The right back again causing problems down the flank, this time his cross landed between Bickerstaffe and Spellman leaving Saunders to tap into an empty net.
On the 60th minute mark it was four. An intricate passing move lead to Saunders finding space inside the Rovers box and calmlu slotting underneath Bickerstaffe in the Rovers goal.
Just six minutes later and Fleetwood her their fifth. Another dangerous cross from the right was met by Garner who firmly placed a header into the roof of the net.
Fleetwood completed the scoring not long after. A curling cross from Garner evaded everyone and landed in the net, making it six goals to the good.
Tranmere Team: Bickerstaffe, Woods (Gouldbourne 60’), Spellman, Musuamba (Farley 70’), Sinnott, Stratulis (Burton 60’), Hayde, Blackham, Corness, Walton, Thompson
Unused subs: Jones, Ferguson, Shead, Quinn