Cammell Laird 0-6 Tranmere Rovers

Last updated : 14 July 2007 By Matthew Jones
Tranmere kicked off their pre-season in style with a 6-0 victory over local non-league side Cammell Laird at Kirklands today.

Rovers fielded two different sides either side of half-time, with trialist Bakke playing 57 minutes on the left and right wings.

John Achterberg started in goal for Rovers whilst in front of him in defence were Tremarco, Sherriff, Kay and Stockdale. A youthful midfield saw Paul Henry, Jennings, Davies and Bakke in the middle whilst Taylor and Greenacre started upfront.

Tranmere scored their first after nine minutes with Sherriff firing into the bottom corner from near the penalty spot after Lairds failed to first clear a Davies corner and then Kay's header back into the mixer.

A second was added on 20 minutes thanks to a Steve Davies header. Bakke found Henry who crossed to Davies at the far post where Davies sent a bullet header back across goal into the corner.

Ten minutes later and Rovers continued their regular scoring through Steve Jennings. Back from his loan spell at Shrewsbury, the former Everton-trainee scored Rovers second header of the game, this time from a Robbie Stockdale cross.

On 41-minutes, Lairds were unlucky not to score after a good move which saw former Tranmere player Alex Hay thunder a shot against the post from a tight angle inside the area with John Achterberg well beaten.

Goal numbr four however was not long coming for Tranmere as they finished the half in style as Gareth Taylor netted past the 'keeper in slow, cool fashion.

The second half started with ten new men on the field for Tranmere. Coyne came on in goal, with Holmes, Johnston, Goodison and Chorley in defence. Across the middle Bakke retained his place along with Mike Jones, McLaren and Ahmed, with Zola and Curran in attack.

On 53-minutes Tranmere should have had their fifth of the game. After some excellent skill and ball-retaining work from Ahmed, the new-boy was fouled in the box. Curran stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was saved.

Four minutes later, Chris Shuker replaced trialist Bakke in midfield. Bakke should get another run out at Heswall on Wednesday.

Rovers fifth was added soon after with Curran making up for penalty miss. A good move from midfield saw Zola break into the area. His shot was well saved by the 'keeper but only palmed straight back to Curran who netted from close range.

On 68 minutes, Rovers got their sixth and Curran got his second. A fine move saw Tranmere break down the left where Shuker found Danny Holmes on the overlap. Holmes crossed to McLaren who side footed the ball onto Curran who again netted from close range.

A comfortable win in the end for Rovers, who will be hoping for more of the same against Heswall on Wednesday.