Tranmere Rovers got their first win of the new season in emphatic style on Saturday afternoon against Gillingham at Prenton Park.
Goals from Elliott Nevitt, Ethan Bristow and Josh Dacres-Cogley earned Tranmere all three points on a red hot day on the Wirral.
It was Rovers who got out of the blocks quickest and hit the woodwork in the opening five minutes. Kane Hemmings attempted and audacious chip from the edge of the box but the ball rebounded back off the bar after Morris was stranded in the Gills’ goal.
On the 17th minute, Tranmere took the lead. Chris Merrie played a perfectly waited pass through to Elliott Nevitt who held off his marker and cooly slotted past Morris and into the far corner.
Just 10 minutes later, Rovers nearly doubled their advantage. Bristow’s low cross went through a series of players before Nevitt’s toe flicked the ball on and inches past the far post.
It was one way traffic at this point and Tranmere came close again to extending their lead. Reece McAlear played a clever one two with Nevitt before trying to pick out Paul Lewis at the back post but he couldn’t quite reach it at the back post.
The visitors started the second half with more intent and were unlucky not to draw level. Jordan Green’s cross from the right went through a sea of bodies before canoning back off the left hand post to let Rovers off.
Midway through the second period, Tranmere gave themselves some much deserved breathing space. Kane Hemmings turned on the edge of the box and played a cute ball through to Bristow who absolutely hammered it home in front of the Kop stand.
Tranmere were in a relentless mood and on the 75th minute, Tranmere’s other wing back got in on the act. A mix up in the Gillingham defence gave Josh Dacres-Cogley and opportunity which he didn’t turn down, cleverly dinking the ball over the onrushing Morris.
Substitute Joel Mumbongo could have had a fourth for Rovers just moments later when his low drive from the edge of the box whistled past the post.
Rovers comfortably seen the game out to register their first three points and clean sheet of the season, setting themselves up nicely for a trip to Hartlepool on Tuesday night.
Tranmere team: Doohan, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Byrne, Turnbull (Hawkes 77’), Jameson, Bristow, Merrie, Lewis (Mumbongo 72’), McAlear, Nevitt (Nolan 87’), Hemmings
Attendance: 5.414