Yeovil vs. Tranmere match preview

Last updated : 24 March 2006 By Matthew Jones
It's another "6 pointer" for Tranmere on Saturday as they travel down to Somerset to play Yeovil Town at Huish Park for the first time in the clubs history.

Both clubs are battling against relegation and three points are vital to both sides, especially after Rovers slipped up against Walsall, who Yeovil beat 2-0 in midweek, last Friday.

Previous Meetings:

Surely the smallest section on Previous Meetings I have writen so far! Tranmere have played Yeovil just once so far in their history, beating them 4-1 on 28th Decemeber, incidently also the game after they played Walsall. This time round Rovers will be hoping for a similar result.

Yeovil took the lead in the 4-1 defeat to Rovers, but after Brian Little brought Sam Aiston and Calvin Zola on at half time, Rovers eventually won the game 4-1, Greenacre scoring a hatrick and Zola netting one himself.

Vital Stats:

Tranmere have never played at Huish Park before

Yeovil have only ever won once on March 25th in their history

Tranmere have a 100% record over Yeovil Town

Tranmere haven't won on 25th March since 1988 (5 games)

Chris Greenacre has scored a hatrick every time Tranmere have played Yeovil

The Form Book:

Yeovil Last 6 Home Games: WLLDLD
Tranmere Last 6 Away Games: WDDDLW

A first away win in 2006 at Swindon on 7th March helped to pull Rovers ever so slightly away from the relegation zone and since playing Swindon, Rovers haven't had an away game.

Previous to the Swindon game (2-1), Rovers lost 1-0 at Oldham on 25th February after draws at Gillingham (1-1), Bradford and Hartlepool (0-0). Orevious to this they have won at Port Vale on New Years Eve 2-0.

Yeovil's home form has, in the main, been inconsistent. The Glovers have only won once at Huish Park in 2006, 2-0 against Hartlepool on January 7th.

Since they have had draws with fellow Relegation candidates MK Dons (1-1) and Swindon Town (0-0) whilst losing to Southend (2-0), Bradford City (1-0) and Brentford (2-1).

In fact, in their 18 home games so far in League One, Yeovil have only recorded six wins and more importantly just six draws - only 24 points at Huish Park this season.

Tranmere Team News:

John Achterberg is still out with a pelvis injury and remains so until the end of the season. Delroy Facey is expected to be fit after picking up a foot injury against Wasall and otherwise there are no other injury worries.

Brian Little has confirmed Matthew Murray will start in goal ahead of Dino Seremet after the former England U-21 Goalkeeper signed for Rovers on Tuesday.

Top 15:

Yeovil fan Peter Briers kindly takes on our Top 15 questions to conclude our pre-match build up to Saturdays big game.

  1. Who are you, what's your age and how long have you been supporting your club.

 

I'm 19 and have been supporting Yeovil for about 6 years now

 

  1. What's your best moment as a football fan of your club?

 

Best moment, well there have been many but for me probably the first match in the football league away at Rochdale, where we won 3-1, was a great occasion that had been a long time in coming

 

  1. And the worst?

 

Luckily there haven't been too many, probably though the seasons before we finally got it together in the conference were very frustrating

 

  1. Which player has been your all time favourite for your club?

 

In my opinion Terry Skiverton has always been up there, as with Warren Patmore, maybe Darren Way.

 

  1. And who is your current favourite?

 

Currently Aaron Davies has been looking good, and he's still young so if we can keep him he can only get better and better

 

  1. What's your favourite away ground in League one?

 

I can't wait to see Yeovil there over Easter; it would have to be Nottingham Forest. To be able to play the former European Champions in the league is a testament to how far Yeovil have come (as well as how far the mighty have fallen!)

 

  1. What has your form of late been like?

 

Recently it has been very poor, with only two league wins since the beginning of February, but we have put in two amazing away performances (Chesterfield and Walsall) which have shown what we can do.

 

  1. Who's the “one to watch”?

 

Aaron Davies has been in the goals.

 

  1. Do you have any youngsters to look out for?

Anthony Barry had been playing well before his injury, but Matt Harold is ok, scored a good goal against Walsall midweek but could do with a bit more strength to his game.

 

  1. What's your biggest threat, as in corners, set pieces etc.

 

Skivo's always a threat from set pieces and corners, but often poor delivery has blighted these chances. Aaron Davies and Kevin Gall both like to go for the odd long range effort as well.

 

  1. At the start of the season, what was your predicted finish for the season?

 

I just wanted us to stay up, to go up from conference to league two then league one quite quickly I thought we would do well to strengthen the squad and try to establish ourselves at this level.

 

  1.  Where do you see yourselves finishing now?

 

After Webb's clear out I'm not too sure, but I think we our good enough to stay we just need to get the strikers getting a few more goals.

 

  1. Do you think either of Tranmere or your team will get relegated or promoted?

 

No, I think Tranmere won't get dragged into the relegation fight and are too far off the play offs, for Yeovil I think we can stay up and build for next season.

 

  1. Are you a little surprised by Tranmere's performance so far this season?

 

A bit, they have not been able to sustain form which has made the difference between play offs and mid-table

 

  1. Finally, your prediction for today's game?

 

After the away performance at Walsall being such a turn around of the Bournemouth match away I'm quite hopeful, and with Craig Rocastle being added to our midfield I can see Yeovil sneaking it 2-1

I'd like to thank Mr. Briers for taking the time to answer the questions and wish him and Yeovil all the best for the future, as long as they lose on Saturday!