Doncaster Rovers vs. Tranmere Rovers match preview

Last updated : 11 August 2006 By Matthew Jones
Gareth Roberts is set to play against Tranmere for the first time since leaving this summer
Saturday will see Tranmere make their final trip to Belle Vue, home of Doncaster Rovers, before the Yorkshire club move to their new all-seater stadium.

The game will be a big test for Tranmere. Doncaster are rated by many as hot contenders for Promotion and will be looking to build on Tuesdays 3-1 win over Crewe this weekend.


Doncaster Rovers profile:

Formed: 1879

Ground: Belle Vue

Manager: Dave Penny

Nickname: Rovers

Season Finish 2005/06: 8th (Coca-Cola League One)



Previous Meetings:


Last season, the two clubs met twice in League One. In late October, Rovers won for the first time in the league after four draws and five defeats on the spin.

First Steve Davies, scoring his first competitive goal for Rovers, and then Steven Jennings, secured Tranmere a 2-0 win at Belle Vue. These two goals came after five consecutive league games without a goal, or 512 minutes.

However, fortunes were reversed on the final day of the season, when Dave Penney's side, still in with a shout of the play-offs, won 2-0 against a Tranmere side who had parted company with manager Brian Little only the day before the game.

Over 2000 Doncaster fans made the trip to Prenton Park, where they saw Lewis Guy and Neil Roberts score first half goals, which were sadly not enough to earn them a play-off place.

Vital Stats:

Tranmere have only won three times in 24 visits to Belle Vue

Rovers haven't conceeded in their last three trips to Doncaster, the games ending 2-0, 0-0 and 0-0.

Tranmere haven't completed the double over Doncaster since the 1963/64 season, not that this matters at this stage of the season.

Tranmere haven't lost on 12th August since 1980, winning three and drawing one game since.

Doncaster have never drawn on 12th August


The Form Book:

Doncaster First Two Games: LW
Tranmere First Two Games: WL

Doncaster manager, Dave Penney, will be looking for his sides second win of the season, after an opening day defeat to Carlisle (1-0) was followed up with a 3-1 win over Crewe at Belle Vue on Tuesday night.

Ronnie Moore's Tranmere side also have three points after two games, thanks to a 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic on the opening day. However, Rovers failed to build on their good start with a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham on Tuesday night.

Team News:

Gareth Roberts should line up against his former club for the first time since his controversial exit in the summer, whilst Jason Price who spent two seasons at Prenton Park and Sean "Judas" Thornton should also feature.

For Tranmere, it is expected that Kevin Ellison should return from the injury that kept him out of Tuesdays 1-0 defeat away to Cheltenham Town, meaning Ronnie Moore will have a fully fit squad to choose from.


Jones' Prediction: Doncaster 2-0 Tranmere