Northampton Town vs. Tranmere Rovers match preview

Will Northampton be the end of the line for Ronnie?

Rovers will be hoping for their first away win on the road since February 2^nd, as another disappointing run of away form has hampered their season, whilst they will be keen to make it two victories in a row to ensure they finish above rivals Oldham Athletic in the table.

The game might be seen as a chance to experiment for some, with many Tranmere fans hoping the likes of Mike Jones, Craig Curran and Terry Gornell all get their chance to show Ronnie Moore what they can do, but the Tranmere boss is likely to go with a full-strength XI in an attempt to win the match.

Northampton Town team profile:

Formed: 1897

Ground: Sixfields

Manager: Stuart Gray

Nickname: The Cobblers

Season Finish 2006/07: 14th (Coca-Cola League One)

Previous Meetings:

These two teams last met on Saturday 29^th September at Prenton Park in a Coca-Cola League One match, a game that will be remembered by many Tranmere fans as the one that severely damaged their promotion hopes as winger Steve Davies damaged his cruciate knee ligaments, an injury that would keep him out until mid-April.

The game was actually a 2-2 draw, but Tranmere made it exceedingly difficult for themselves, as is often the case, having to come from 2-0 down to draw the match.

It took the visiting Cobblers just twelve minutes to take the lead, as a Mark Bunn clearance was flicked on by Holt to Northern Ireland striker Kirk who headed the ball over John Achterberg into the net.

Shuker came close to equalising for Tranmere before Northampton doubled their lead six minutes before half-time as Poul Hubertz headed home an excellent Jason Crowe cross.

Tranmere then saved the best for the second half, as Chris Shuker got Tranmere back in the game with little over twenty minutes left, as, with the aid of a lucky deflection, Shuker won the ball and then hit a shot across goal and into the net.

Curran missed chance to level for Tranmere lat eon before Gareth Taylor did eventually make it 2-2 on 88 minutes, the target man sending a fine header into the back of the net from a cross to the back post from Shuker.

Vital Stats:

In seventeen away games against Northampton, Tranmere have picked up five wins to go with nine defeats

Tranmere are unbeaten in their last six games against the Cobblers, picking up four wins in those games

In three trips to Sixfields, Tranmere have scored eight goals and lost just once

There have been thirty-five meetings between the two sides, and Tranmere have scored three goals or more on seven occasions

These two sides have met twice before in May, with Rovers winning once and the other game ending as a draw

On This Day:

2003: Amazingly, Ray Mathias' Tranmere come from 2-0 down in their final game of the season to win 3-2 at Stockport County. Perhaps even more increadibly, this gave Tranmere a total of 80 points for the season but they still finished outside the play-offs.

1998: John Aldridge plays his final game of competitive football and scores twice for Tranmere in a 2-1 win at Prenton Park against Wolves, with "Aldo" scoring his final ever competitive goal from the penalty spot in front of the Cowshed, then housed by home fans

1995: John King's Tranmere draw 1-1 at home to Wolves in Division One, this securing Rovers a play-off place

In total, Tranmere have played seven previous matches on May 3^rd, picking up two wins, four draws and just one defeat. They have scored ten goals and conceded nine in these seven matches.

The Form Book:

Northampton Town last 6 home games: WWLWDW
Tranmere last 6 away games: LLLDLD

Since their move to the Sixfields Stadium midway through the 1994/95 season, Northampton Town had not been a strong team on home soil. However, this season they have turned that record on its head, making their (relatively) new home a place that visiting sides find difficult to play at.

The Cobblers started their six match run with a resounding 4-0 win over struggling Gillingham, as Crowe, Coke and two goals from Akinfenwa secured Stuart Gray's side the win before a couple of weeks later another relegation threatened League One team came to Sixfields, however, Crewe were much more successful than Gillingham as they picked up a point thanks to a 0-0 draw.

In their next home game, Northampton then managed to complete something that Tranmere Rovers haven't been able to do in over four years: Beat Swansea City. The Jacks travelled to Sixfields as they looked to continue their fine form, but left empty handed thanks to a 4-2 defeat, with Alan Tate scoring an own goal to go with two strikes from Hubertz and a Jackman goal for Northampton.

Northampton then lost for the only time in their last fourteen league and cup outings on home soil, as another team hopeful of promotion at the end of the season, Nottingham Forest, travelled to Sixfields and picked up a 2-1 win, before the Cobblers returned to winning ways against Luton Town with a 2-1 win.

In their most recent home game, in a match watched by close to 6,000 fans, Northampton managed to beat Oldham Athletic 2-0 thanks to goals from Coke and Gilligan, and a win this weekend for the team would leave them above Tranmere Rovers in the table.

Other notable results for Northampton on home soil this season include wins over Leyton Orient (2-0), Bournemouth (4-1), Huddersfield Town (3-0) and Brighton and Hove Albion (1-0).

Northampton Town have played twenty-two home games this season, picking up 37 wins from a total 66 thanks to eleven wins, six draws and five defeats.

Notable results on the road for the Cobblers this year include wins away to Oldham Athletic (1-0), Huddersfield Town (2-1), Gillingham (1-0) and Walsall (2-0).

Many Tranmere fans would argue that it's Tranmere's dire away form that has cost them a place in the Top Six this season, amongst other factors of course, and this is displayed by the fact that Rovers come into this game without a win in eight away from Prenton Park, a run including four miserable defeats.

Rovers started their six match sequence in decent form as they drew 1-1 away to Bristol Rovers, with Antony Kay getting the Tranmere goal before the Pirates equalised late on, but a four match unbeaten run on the road came to an end in their next away game thanks to a highly disappointing 3-1 defeat at a wet and cold Boundary Park against Oldham Athletic.

Three days after the Oldham defeat, Tranmere travelled south to Swansea a few days later and picking up an excellent point thanks to a 1-1 draw, with Chris Greenacre equalising in second half injury time for Tranmere.

Since this draw though, Tranmere have produced three disappointing displays on the road, that have resulted in three disappointing and play-off costing results.

Firstly, Tranmere were beaten 2-1 by a injury-hit Bournemouth at Dean Court, with the Cherries opening the scoring within the first 40-seconds, before Jennison Myrie-Williams gave Tranmere the lead at Walsall, however, the sending off of Ben Chorley was the catalyst for Tranmere's defeat as they lost the match 2-1, despite Danny Coyne saving a Tommy Mooney penalty.

In their most recent match on the road, with the play-off race all but mathematically over, Tranmere put in a passionless and lacklustre performance as they lost a typical end of season game 1-0 against Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium.

Other important away results for Tranmere this season include wins over Carlisle United (1-0), Gillingham (2-0) and Southend United (2-1), as well as a brilliant 2-0 win at Leeds United.

Tranmere have played twenty-two away games so far this season, picking up 22 points from an available 66 in the process thanks to five wins, seven draws and ten defeats.

Notable home results for Tranmere include wins over Bournemouth (3-1), Carlisle United (2-0), Huddersfield (3-0) and Southend United (1-0).

Double Hit:

Well travelled winger Sam Aiston is the most recent player to have represented both clubs, with the former Sunderland player joining Northampton from Tranmere Rovers at the end of the 2005/06 season.

A youngster with Newcastle United, Aiston failed to make it as a first-team professional at St. James' Park, and he committed the deadly sin in his bid to gain first team football, making the short move to the Stadium of Light as he signed for Sunderland.

However, the shaggy-haired winger managed just 24 appearances for the Black Cats in five years at the Stadium of Light, and, following loan spells at Chester (x2), Stoke and Shrewsbury, the winger signed for Shrewsbury on a permanent deal for £50,000 in July 2000.

Whilst at Shrewsbury, Aiston became a terrace hero. Able to play on both wings, he stayed with the club for five years and was part of the team that famously knocked Everton out of the F.A. Cup at the Gay Meadow. He made 181 appearances for the Shrews before joining Tranmere, who were then managed by Brian Little on a free-transfer in July 2005.

Despite his terrific work rate, Aiston lacked pace and an end product, and he often gave the impression that he was running into dead ends. He did however make an impressive 40 appearances for Rovers, scoring three goals in his only season for Tranmere before being released and joining Northampton Town.

A season down the line and 23 appearances later, Aiston found himself at Burton as he joined Nigel Clough's side on a loan deal on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2007 which is where he made five more appearances, before Brian Little snapped up the player, firstly on a loan deal and then permanently, for Wrexham, where has added a further nineteen games to his career tally.

One to Watch: Giles Coke

Youngster Giles Coke has been hitting all the right notes since his July move to Northampton from League Two side Mansfield Town.

Starting his career with local non-League side Kingstonian, the midfielder was quickly picked up by Mansfield, who were relegated to the Conference this week following Chester's draw with Stockport.

Coke was at Mansfield for just over two-years and impressed in his time with the club, making 82 appearances and scoring seven times before leaving the club on a free-transfer, joining Northampton, in July 2007.

Coke didn't actually make his debut for Northampton until January, but since he has done well to hold down a regular place in the Cobblers starting XI, invariably impressing when he has played.

The 21-year old has made nineteen appearances for the club and netted on five occasions, with two of those goals coming in his last four games. He has pace and a wicked cross from the wing, meaning he will be a real handful for the Tranmere defence, much like Max-Alain Gradel was earlier in the season for Bournemouth. The youngster wears the number seven shirt for Northampton.

Around League One:

For many teams, it's just a matter of going through the formalities this weekend in League One, with the league winners and two of the relegation spots already decided. However, three teams can still finish in second place, assuming Leeds are unsuccessful in their appeal, whilst four teams are still battling to avoid the final two relegation places.

Starting at the top of the table, and a win for Doncaster Rovers, on 80 points, at home to Cheltenham would secure promotion for the Yorkshire club, ahead of Nottingham Forest and Carlisle, who take on are at home to Yeovil and Bournemouth and are one point behind Doncaster.

At the other end of the table, it is still possible for two of Bournemouth, Gillingham, Cheltenham and Crewe to be relegated. Of those four teams, none have easy matches. For Bournemouth to stay up, they are required to pick up at least a point more than Cheltenham as they take on Carlisle United, whilst a win for Cheltenham would keep them up.

22^nd placed Gillingham are away to Leeds United and they required both Bournemouth and Cheltenham to lose if they are to stay up. Crewe meanwhile are three points clear of Bournemouth, who are in the final relegation spot, and they take on Oldham Athletic at Gresty Road. Such is the tightness of the League One table though that Crewe would be relegated should they close, and Bournemouth and Cheltenham both win, with the Alex going down on goal difference.

Team News:

Jennison Myrie-Williams will probably not make this game due to an injury he picked up a few weeks ago, whilst Calvin Zola (hamstring) could also once again miss out. Paul McLaren though returns from a two-match suspension, so he could replace one of Jennings or Kay in midfield, whilst Terry Gornell could should once again take a place on the bench.

Jones' Prediction: Northampton Town 2-2 Tranmere Rovers

This might be an end of season game, but expect both teams to go for the win as they look to finish ahead of the other in the League One table.

Traditionally, Rovers have been high scorers against Northampton Town in recent years, and lets hope this game is no different, as opposed to the usual end of season non-event that we saw at Huddersfield a couple of weeks ago.

Northampton are a strong attacking team, but are prone to conceding goals at the other end. This should be useful for Rovers, who themselves are the other way around, strong at the back but have severely lacked goals this season.

In order to win the game, Tranmere will need Chris Greenacre to be back to form, this after he missed two chances that you'd have expected him to score against Southend United last weekend, although it would be good for Ronnie Moore to start at least one of Craig Curran or Terry Gornell up front.

Enjoy the final match of the season, and look forward to a couple of months break before these Match Preview's return for pre-season, and then in full for the start of the 2008/09 season. Thank you for your continued reading of the website.