Match Previews

country flag League 2 Round 13
Tranmere Rovers vs. Macclesfield Town
Fri 12 October 2018 19:45
Referee
A. Backhouse
Weather at KO
Travel Info
Distance
(Distance Matrix)

Tranmere Rovers

Last updated: Sat 13 October 2018 21:01
In Brief

Cole Stockton is doubtful for this weekend's visit from Macclesfield Town. Evan Gumbs and Liam Ridehalgh are long-term absentees.

Looking Back

Tranmere Rovers were thrashed 6-0 by Shrewsbury Town in a midweek EFL Trophy tie at the New Meadow.

Rovers have won five, drawn five and lost two of their dozen league matches this season.

Manager Micky Mellon made ten changes to his starting line-up against the Shrews in midweek.

Ritchie Sutton made a welcome return to the side after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a leg fracture.

Teenager Paddy Wharton was handed his full debut between the sticks.

Ryan Williams and loanee Franklyn Akammadu also made their debuts whilst Jay Harris returned from a groin strain.

There were also recalls for Jake Caprice, Mark Ellis, Ben Tollitt, Dylan Mottley-Henry and Larnell Cole.

Leading goalscorer James Norwood was named on the bench after recovering from a one-match ban.

Looking Ahead

Mellon has no new injury concerns ahead of this weekend's visit from the bottom-of-the-table Silkmen.

Scott Davies, Steve McNulty, Zoumana Bakayogo, Luke McCullough and Ollie Banks are back in contention after being rested in midweek.

Cole Stockton is set to have hernia surgery and faces a spell on the sidelines.

Evan Gumbs (broken leg) and Liam Ridehalgh (knee) are still recovering from long-term injuries.

Rovers currently have six players on loan and can only name five in any match day squad. Shamal George is set to miss out again.

Points of Interest

It will be the first ever Football League meeting between the two sides.

Macclesfield Town

Last updated: Sat 13 October 2018 21:01
In Brief

Koby Arthur is doubtful for this weekend's trip to Tranmere Rovers. Callum Evans and David Whitaker are sidelined. Elliott Durrell, Ryan Lloyd and Jordan Ponticelli are long-term absentees. Kieran O'Hara is on international duty.

Looking Back

Macclesfield Town were beaten 4-1 by Accrington Stanley in a midweek EFL Trophy tie at the Crown Ground.

The Silkmen are still searching for their first league win of the season having drawn four and lost eight of their first dozen matches.

Last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Notts County marked the end for Mark Yates, who was sacked as manager after four months in charge.

Danny Whitaker and Neil Howarth took caretaker charge in midweek and made three changes to the starting line-up.

Rhys Taylor returned between the sticks whilst there were recalls for Michael Rose and loanee Malachi Napa.

They were preferred to Peter Vincenti and Nathan Blissett, who both dropped to the bench whilst Kieran O'Hara was on international duty.

Luke Simpson returned to the bench. Miles Welch-Hayes was left out of the squad.

Looking Ahead

Danny Whitaker and Neil Howarth are set to remain in charge for the weekend's trip to Prenton Park.

Koby Arthur will be assessed after picking up a knock in midweek.

Kieran O'Hara is away with the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad.

Callum Evans (concussion) and Danny Whitaker (knee) are both ruled-out.

Elliott Durrell (groin), Ryan Lloyd (Achilles) and loanee Jordan Ponticelli (broken metatarsal) won't be fit until next month.

Points of Interest

It will be the first ever Football League meeting between the two sides.

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Transfer in
  • Paddy Wharton (Goalkeeper, Colwyn Bay, Loan ended), Ryan Williams (Midfielder, Free agent)
Transfer out
  • Jay Devine (Midfielder, Colwyn Bay, Loan)
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Transfer in
  • Paddy Wharton (Goalkeeper, Colwyn Bay, Loan ended), Ryan Williams (Midfielder, Free agent)
Transfer out
  • Jay Devine (Midfielder, Colwyn Bay, Loan)

Macclesfield Town

Last updated: Sat 13 October 2018 21:01
In Brief

Koby Arthur is doubtful for this weekend's trip to Tranmere Rovers. Callum Evans and David Whitaker are sidelined. Elliott Durrell, Ryan Lloyd and Jordan Ponticelli are long-term absentees. Kieran O'Hara is on international duty.

Looking Back

Macclesfield Town were beaten 4-1 by Accrington Stanley in a midweek EFL Trophy tie at the Crown Ground.

The Silkmen are still searching for their first league win of the season having drawn four and lost eight of their first dozen matches.

Last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Notts County marked the end for Mark Yates, who was sacked as manager after four months in charge.

Danny Whitaker and Neil Howarth took caretaker charge in midweek and made three changes to the starting line-up.

Rhys Taylor returned between the sticks whilst there were recalls for Michael Rose and loanee Malachi Napa.

They were preferred to Peter Vincenti and Nathan Blissett, who both dropped to the bench whilst Kieran O'Hara was on international duty.

Luke Simpson returned to the bench. Miles Welch-Hayes was left out of the squad.

Looking Ahead

Danny Whitaker and Neil Howarth are set to remain in charge for the weekend's trip to Prenton Park.

Koby Arthur will be assessed after picking up a knock in midweek.

Kieran O'Hara is away with the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad.

Callum Evans (concussion) and Danny Whitaker (knee) are both ruled-out.

Elliott Durrell (groin), Ryan Lloyd (Achilles) and loanee Jordan Ponticelli (broken metatarsal) won't be fit until next month.

Points of Interest

It will be the first ever Football League meeting between the two sides.

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
Round 7
Oldham Athletic - Newport County 0 - 1
Round 13
Tranmere Rovers - Macclesfield Town 1 - 0
Round 18
Milton Keynes Dons - Macclesfield Town 2 - 0
Round 38
Mansfield Town - Lincoln City 1 - 1
Round Play-Off 1/2 Final (1)
Newport County - Mansfield Town 1 - 1
Tranmere Rovers - Forest Green Rovers 1 - 0
Round Play-Off 1/2 Final (2)
Forest Green Rovers - Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1
Round Play-Off Final
Newport County - Tranmere Rovers 0 - 1
(AET)