Cards prepare for tough trip to Merseyside

Tranmere Rovers v Woking
Vanarama National League
3pm on Saturday 24 September 2016

The Cards face one of their toughest away trips of the season when they travel to high-flying Tranmere Rovers on Saturday. However Tranmere’s recent form, the sacking of their manager and Woking’s own run of good results should leave the Cards confident that they can get something from this fixture.

WOKING

The Cards have pulled themselves out of the bottom four with two wins from their last two games. Both performances against Torquay and Wrexham were very encouraging. Saturday’s two nil victory on Saturday marked Woking’s first clean sheet of the season and provided further evidence of Garry Hill’s squad’s growing confidence as they have now achieved results in four of their last five games.

Apart from the ongoing injuries to Ismail Yakubu and Zak Ansah, Garry has his full squad available. Charlie Penny has now returned to Merstham so we may possibly see a further new arrival at some stage. With a team brim full of confidence it is again unlikely that the Manager will feel the need to make changes from a side that is playing so well.

TRANMERE ROVERS

Tranmere failed last season to achieve promotion back to the Football League at their first attempt, ending up in a disappointing 6th place. But the early signs are that they will be in strong contention this time round for the automatic promotion slot and a very good bet for a play-off place if that ambition fails. Rovers won their first five games of the season before drawing at Southport. Victory at Guiseley followed before they suffered their first defeat of the campaign, losing 3-1 at Aldershot Town. That was followed by another defeat, at home to Lincoln City. A goaless draw at York and defeat at Sutton by the odd goal saw the Rovers slip to 5th place. Perhaps surprisingly the Tranmere Board decided that this run of poor results was sufficient to part company with their Manager Gary Brabin at the weekend.

Brabin had concentrated in the summer on increasing Rovers’ options up front. England C striker James Norwood was already at the club, but Brabin added Andy Cook, Barrow’s top scorer last season with 24 goals; Connor Jennings, Wrexham’s top scorer and captain; and Darren Stephenson, who scored 19 goals for Chorley. Two other new signings were midfielders Jay Harris, with Wrexham last season, and former Northern Ireland international Jeff Hughes, who had a loan spell at Prenton Park from Cambridge United last season. Other familiar names already at the club include imposing central defender Steve McNulty, winger and ex-Shot Adam Mekki, midfielder Lois Maynard and keeper Scott Davies.

Assistant Manager Paul Carden has now been appointed as the interim boss. He has immediately moved to sign striker Louis Almond from Southport. It will be interesting to see how this potentially strong squad will perform on Saturday given the context of a new manager.

GETTING THERE

Tranmere Rovers FC
Prenton Park
Prenton Road West
Birkenhead
Merseyside
CH42 9PY

Official website: www.tranmereroversfc.co.uk

By coach

The Cards Trust will not be running a coach to this game.

By car

The Tranmere Rovers official site gives the following directions by car for fans travelling from the south: M6, M56 and M53 to J4. Take the fourth exit from the roundabout onto the B5151 (Mount Road). Continue for 2.5 miles when Mount Road becomes Storeton Road and turn right onto Prenton Road West at traffic lights. The ground is on the righthand side in 200 yards.

As regards parking, the website offers the following information: There is a very large car park at the ground which costs £5 per car per game. Car park tickets can be purchased in advance from the Ticket Office on 03330144452 and online at www.trfctickets.co.uk. Beware of a residents parking scheme which is in operation around on many roads around the ground.

By train

Take the train to Liverpool Lime Street. The quickest route is direct from Euston but you may find cheaper options e.g. by travelling via Crewe. Check out www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.trainline.com

The Tranmere official site gives the following advice for getting to the ground from Lime Street: Head for the Wirral Line lower level station and board a New Brighton or West Kirby train to Conway Park, or an Ellesmere Port or Chester train to Birkenhead Central or Rock Ferry.
From Conway Park: Turn right outside the station and walk 100 yards to Birkenhead Bus Station.
From Birkenhead Central: Cross Argyle Street and walk along Borough Road, which runs parallel to the flyover. The ground is approximately a 30-minute walk.
From Rock Ferry: The ground is a 15-minute walk. Turn right outside the station onto Bedford Road. Continue along Bedford Avenue and Bedford Drive until you reach a road junction shortly after Prenton High School. Continue onto Mount Road and turn right at the first set of traffic lights onto Borough Road - the ground is five minutes on the left.

ADMISSION PRICES

Willow Catering Stand (away supporters only) - behind the goal, facilities: fast food, licensed bar, toilets, Family Friendly Area (*Under-12s require tickets and must be accompanied. Prices for tickets bought on the day are:

Adults £19
Seniors (65+) £12
Young Persons (17-22) £12
Under-17 £7
Under-12 (must be accompanied) £2

Ticket prices are £2 cheaper (except for U12s) if bought in advance.


COMING UP

The Cards are at home to Eastleigh on Saturday 1 October.


Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget to book your tickets for the “Evening with Elvis� on Friday 30 September: see the news item on 31 August for more details.