Tranmere Rovers continued their pre season preparations on Saturday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Warrington Town at Cantilever Park.
A first half goal from Kieron Morris was the difference between the two sides in the blazing sunshine in the North West.
Rovers dominated the ball in the opening exchanges but it was the home side with the first real chance. A Warrington trialist got to the byline before cutting it back to Buckley-Ricketts who could only fire his shot over the bar from inside the box.
A few moments later and Rovers came very close to breaking the deadlock themselves. Great one touch football resulted in Nevitt being denied one on one before Hawkes’ follow up was cleared off the line.
On the 14th minute, Tranmere did manage to find the opener. Neat play down the right released Dacres-Colgey who picked out Morris inside the box and he slotted cooly past Thompson in the home net.
Towards the end of the half, Rovers hit the woodwork twice in quick succession. Firstly, Elliott Nevitt headed against the upright from Josh Hawkes’ cross before Hawkes himself was very unfortunate to see his fierce shot from 25 yards canon back off the upright.
The second half, as a whole, lacked fluency due to both teams making a number of subs but it was the home side who enjoyed the mainstay of the ball for the opening period.
Sean Williams’s low shot from 25 yards was well gathered by Hewelt in the Rovers goal.
Shortly after, Paul Lewis found himself in space before picking out Kane Hemmings inside the box but his diving header wasn’t diverted on target.
Those two players combined once more soon after. This time Hemmings’ side footed effort was tipped around the post by Thompson to keep the score at 0-1.
Warrington applied some late pressure on the Rovers defence but no more real clear cut chances were created by either side before the ref blew for full time in what was a worthwhile exercise for both clubs.
Tranmere team: Doohan (Hewelt 45’), Dacres-Cogley (Hughes 60’), Byrne (Williams 80’), Hockenhull (Stratulis 60’), Bristow, Morris (Merrie 50’), O’Connor (Nolan 45’), Hawkes, McAlear (Lewis 45’), Nevitt (Taylor 70’), Hemmings (Lomax 70’)