Cheltenham Town vs. Tranmere Rovers match preview

Last updated : 20 September 2007 By Matthew Jones
Moore looking for repeat of Carlisle performance
This Saturday Tranmere will once again be on the road in Coca-Cola League One as they head south to play Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road. Rovers will be hoping that they can push top of the table again whilst Cheltenham will be hoping to continue their good home form against the Wirral side.


Cheltenham Town:


Formed: 1887

Ground: Whaddon Road

Manager: John Ward

Nickname: The Robins

Season Finish 2006/07: 17th (Coca-Cola League One)

Previous Meetings:

Tranmere didn't have a good time of it when the two sides met last season as they picked up just one point from an available six against the League One new comers.

The meeting between the two sides at Whaddon Road was in fact Tranmere's first away game of the 06-07 season and it was a bad start on the road indeed as Kayode Odejayi, now of Barnsley, gave the Robins an 8th minute as he fired the ball into the top corner past Gavin Ward. This goal proved to be the only one as John Ward's side got the 1-0 win.

The game at Prenton Park in February was slightly more eventful as Rovers came from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2. Lowe and again Odejayi had given the Robins a 2-0 lead but a 49th minute strike from Chris Shuker got Rovers back in the game before Chris Greenacre drew Rovers level in injury time.

Vital Stats:

In two previous games at Whaddon Road between the two sides, Tranmere have never won

Rovers have won just once in four meetings between the two sides

In the previous two seasons when Tranmere and Cheltenham have met, the fixtures have been in either August or February

Tranmere have scored just one previous goal at Whaddon Road

Rovers have kept just one clean sheet against Saturday's opposition

On This Day:

1999: Tranmere are defeated 3-1 at Highfield Road by Coventry City but still progress to the next round of the Worthington Cup with a 6-4 aggregate win

1998: Tranmere beat Blackpool 3-1 at Prenton Park and progress to the next round of the League Cup with a 4-3 aggregate victory

1960: Rovers lose 5-2 away to Torquay United in Division Three


The Form Book:

Cheltenham Last 6 Matches: LWLDLL
Tranmere Last 6 Matches: WWLDWW

It's not been a good start to the season for Cheltenham Town as they have won just two of their opening five league games as well as suffering a first round exit in the Carling Cup, losing 4-1 after extra time to Southend when the game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

The season started well for Cheltenham, as they played host to Gillingham and managed a 1-0 win over the side then managed by Ronnie Jepson. However, it's been a struggle for the Robins ever since and with no Odejayi upfront this season they have managed just five league goals, not enough when you consider how many they are letting in at the other end.

Their next league game after the win over the Gills was a 1-0 defeat at Millwall before they Swindon Town came to Whaddon Road in a local derby match and a fixture which was drawn 1-1. A 1-0 defeat at Carlisle followed before a fantastic 3-2 win at Huddersfield Town came last weekend, two goals for Spencer and one for Finnigan as the Robins came from 1-0 down to win with all the goals coming in the second half.

In their most recent match Cheltenham hosted Swansea City at Whaddon Road and despite a 1-0 half time lead, goals from Scotland and Robinson won the game for the Welsh side.

From a total of three home games this season, Cheltenham have picked up four points from an available nine, winning one game, drawing one game and losing the other.

It has been an excellent start to the season for Tranmere Rovers as they remain unbeaten in the league since the opening day 2-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Following the Leeds defeat, Rovers were knocked out of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Stockport at Edgely Park but picked themselves up and got a magnificent 2-0 win at Gillingham four days later thanks to goals from Greenacre and Davies.

Another 2-0 win was on the cards a week later as Rovers beat Brighton at Prenton Park before Rovers drew 1-1 at Huish Park against Yeovil Town, Steve Davies scoring a 96th minute free-kick to tie the game for Tranmere.

Following Yeovil, Rovers lost dissapointingly in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy at Prenton Park, Morecambe winning 1-0 against the Wirral side before it was back to business against Carlisle as Rovers picked up another superb away win, defeating the Cumbrian side 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Craig Curran.

In their most recent game, Tranmere had a brilliant last ten minutes against Luton Town as they came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 thanks to goals from substitutes Craig Curran and Anthony Kay, a result which put them top of the table, if only temporarily, for the first time in over 30 years.

From three away games this season Tranmere have managed seven of an available nine points, winning two games and drawing one.

Double Hit:

No player was found who has represented each club

One To Watch: John Finnigan

Industrious midfielder John Finnigan is currently in his sixth season with the Cheltenham after originally signing from Lincoln on the March 7th 2002 for free.

Finnigan started his career as a trainee at Nottm Forest but after failing to make an appearance for the Tricky Tree's, then a Premiership club, he joined Lincoln on loan in March 1998 for the rest of the season.

He clearly did enough in his six games for the club as on June 6th 2002 he signed for the club on a permanent basis on a free transfer.

The Wakefield born man was to stay at Lincoln for four seasons as he made an impressive 160 league and cup appearances for the club, scoring four goals in the process.

Nearly four years after signing for Lincoln on his original loan contract, Finnigan joined Cheltenham, again on a free-transfer, a place he has stayed ever since.

In his five-and-a-half years at the club, Finnigan has now made 229 league and cup appearances for the club whilst he will make his 200th league appearance for the club against Tranmere, should he play. He has also netted 25 goals in his time with the club.

Wearing the number eight short and standing at 5 ft 8inches tall, what Finnigan lacks in height he makes up for with good work rate and will get a number of assists for the Gloucestershire side through-out the season.

Team News:

Ronnie Moore has a number of injury worries ahead of this game, with striker Calvin Zola (hamstring) and midfielder John Mullin (ankle) both set to miss the game through injury. The return of Gareth Taylor could once again mean Craig Curran misses out in attack whilst Paul McLaren, Chris Shuker and Ian Goodison are expected to recover from knocks to start the game.


Jones' Prediction: Cheltenham 1-2 Tranmere Rovers