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The game is a 7pm kick off at Prenton Park in an attempt to get more people to come to this unattractive tournament, but both Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore and Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy will see this as a chance to take their team to Wembley.
Morecambe team profile:
Formed: 1920
Ground: Christie Park
Manager: Sammy McIlroy
Nickname: The Shrimpers
Season Finish 2006/07: 3rd (Blue-Square Conference)
Previous Meetings:
This is Morecambe's first season in the Football League and as such, this will be the first time that the two clubs have met in a competative fixture. However, through the years the two clubs have met a number of times at Christie Park in pre-season friendlies.
The most recent friendly meeting between the two sides came this summer on July 24th at Christie Park, a game which Tranmere won 3-0.
After Chris Greenacre had originally had a goal ruled out for offside half way through the first half, the striker eventually opened the scoring on 44 minutes, as he scored with an acrobatic over-head kick after Zola had flicked on Mike Jones' cross.
The second came just after the half-time break, with Zola again the provider as he laid the ball off to Steve Davies about 25-yards from goal, with Davies then running across the area before shooting across the 'keeper and into the bottom corner from about 20-yards.
The third was a well deserved goal for Calvin Zola, as he scored an excellent diving header at the far post from a tight angle as he connected with another good Mike Jones cross.
Vital Stats:
Tranmere and Morecambe have never before met in a competative game
Rovers have not lost in the Football League Trophy first round since Brian Little's first game in charge of the club when they lost 3-2 away to Blackpool on 14th October 2003
Tranmere won the Football League trophy in the 1989/90 season, defeating Bristol Rovers in the final at Wembley
On This Day:
1993: Tranmere defeat Notts County 3-1 at home in the League
1979: Rovers go crashing out of the League Cup after a 4-0 defeat at Anfield to Liverpool
1926: Tranmere defeat local rivals New Brighton 4-1
The Form Book:
Tranmere first 5 games: LLWWD
Morecambe first 6 games: DWLWWD
Due to two wins in the first two rounds in the League Cup, Morecambe have so far played one more game than Tranmere this season.
In the first round of the competition, one in which they were competing for the very first time, Morecambe defeated local rivals Preston North End 2-1 t Deepdale before being drawn against another Championship opposition Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round, again away. This time, the game went to extra time after being 1-1 in normal time and goals from Jon Newby and Garry Thompson won the game 3-1 for the Shrimpers.
In the league so far, Morecambe have picked up five points from an available twelve, winning one, drawing two and losing the other one of their opening four games.
Their first ever football league fixture was a game against Barnet at Christie Park and despite a good attendance of 3,633 at the game, the match was drawn 0-0.
The next two league matches for Morecambe saw them firstly lose 2-1 away to Wrexham before picking up an excellent first football league win over Mansfield, defeating the Stags 3-1 thanks to an own goal from White before Stanley and then Baker from the penalty spot won Morecambe the game.
In their most recent game this Saturday, Morecambe drew 1-1 away at Notts County. Twiss had given Morecambe the lead on 34 minutes but a 87th minute equaliser from Butcher denied Morecambe their first away win in the Football League.
For Tranmere, it has generally been quite a good start to the season, despite defeats in their opening two games.
On the opening day of the season, Rovers lost 2-1 to Leeds United in the sides first ever league meeting, this despite Tranmere taking an early lead through Chris Greenacre, before the Birkenhead side went crashing out of the Carling Cup to Stockport County as Matty McNeil got a late winner for the Edgely Park side.
However, Tranmere remain unbeaten in their three games since the Stockport defeat. Firstly, Rovers picked up their first points of the season a superb 2-0 away win at Gillingham thanks to goals from Chris Greenacre and Steve Davies before beating Brighton by the same scoreline at Prenton Park seven days later, Greenacre again on the scoresheet along with Chris Shuker.
In their most recent game, Tranmere picked upa well deserved point at Huish Park thanks to a 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town. After Marcus Stewart had given Yeovil the lead in the second half, Steve Davies scored an excellent free-kick in the sixth minute of second half injury time to earn Tranmere a point.
Double Hit:
One person who has represented both clubs is former Tranmere midfielder and former Morecambe manager Jimmy Harvey.
Northern Irishman Harvey is held in strong regard at Prenton Park for his involvement with the club in the "King Years" after joining in 1987 from Bristol City.
Harvey started his career with Glenavon before joining Arsenal in 1977. However, he made just four appearances for the Gunners before moving to Hereford in 1980.
At Herefore, Harvey made an impressive 278 league appearances and it was only aftrer breif spells at Bristol City and Wrexham (loan) that he joined Tranmere.
At Tranmere, the robust midfielder made 121 league apperances and was appointed club captain as under the leadership of John King Tranmere began moving up the divisions, eventually ending up in Division 2, now the Coca-Cola Championship, as well as winning the Leyland DAF in 1990.
Harvey finished his playing career at Morecambe as player/manager after spells at Crewe, Southport and Chester and he stayed as Morecambe manager for 12 years between 1994 and 2006.
Harvey lead Morecambe into the Conference in 1996 and it was only defeat on penalties to Dagenham and Redbridge that prevented Morecambe making the Conference play-off final in 2003 after a second placed finish in the division.
Before a league meetng the Cambridge United in 2005, Harvey suffered a heart attack which was to keep him away from the game until May 2006. However, due to Sammy McIlroy's success in his absense, Harvey was sacked as manager on his first day back at work following his illness.
After spending time at Crewe, Harvey was appointed manager of Forest Green Rovers in September 2006 and guided them to what looked like impossible safety from relegation that season.
One To Watch: Michael Twiss
Former Manchester United trainee is possibly the most dangerous player, along with former Liverpool and Bury striker Jon Newby, currently on the books at Morecambe.
Striker Twiss made just two appearances for Manchester United between 1997 and 2000, one as a sub in the F.A. Cup and another in the League Cup. However, in the 1998/99 season Twiss spent seven months on loan at Sheffield United, where he played just 17 games and scored only once.
In July 2000, Twiss moved to Port Vale on a free-transfer and made just 24 appearances here, scoring twice, before another move to Leigh RMI, again for free in 2001.
It was at Leigh that Twiss' career really kicked off, as the striker who can also play left-midfield, scored 15 times in 34 appearances for the club and one season after joining Leigh he was signed by Chester on a free-transfer.
At Chester, Twiss again had success as 11 times in 67 appearances during his two season at the Deva Stadium before he joned Morecambe for free once again in May 2004.
Now in his fourth season with Morecambe, Twiss has become a firm favourite with the fans in Lancashire and has to date made 133 appearances for the club and netted 47 goals, including one this season.
He is best employed as a creative striker and whilst he will weigh in with a few goals, he will create a lot during the season too.
Team News:
Ronnie Moore is likely to be without Danny Coyne who has been called upto the Wales squad by John Toshack, meaning John Achterberg is set to start in goal for the first time since February 17th 2007. Gareth Taylor is out with a broken rib whilst Calvin Zola (hamstring) and John Mullin are both doubts. Anthony Kay, Adnan Ahmed and Craig Curran are all expected to feature for Tranmere.
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere 2-1 Morecambe