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Match Reports

Match Report: Tranmere Rovers 1-3 Walsall

6 April 2024

Match Reports

Match Report: Tranmere Rovers 1-3 Walsall

6 April 2024

The Saddlers recorded back-to-back wins in the league with a 1-3 victory against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

Mat Sadler made one change to the side which secured victory against Salford City on Easter Monday at the Poundland Bescot Stadium as Ryan Stirk returned to the starting XI in place of Ross Tierney, who was named amongst the substitutes.

The first opportunity of the game fell to the way of the Saddlers within the opening three minutes. Isaac Hutchinson did well to pick the ball up towards the byline and come back onto his left foot before floating the ball into the box and into the path of Ryan Stirk – the midfielder composed himself as the ball came down to him and tried his luck on the volley but his effort went wide of the mark.

Tranmere's first opportunity of note fell on 17 minutes as a clearance inside the box from the Saddlers defence fell kindly into the path of Regan Hendry who had the goal in sight following his initial touch but the Rovers man curled his effort wide of the far-post.

Moments later there was a glorious chance up the other end for the Saddlers - Josh Gordon did well to beat his man and drill a low ball into the box to find Hutchinson who fired at goal from close range but his effort was well kept out by Luke McGee.

The windy conditions in Merseyside played their part throughout the game and as the first half progressed, the hosts worked a wonderful opportunity up which they took full advantage of as Hendry slotted home to give Tranmere the lead.

The hosts tried to capitalise on taking the advantage and had some further opportunities minutes later through Rob Apter and also via Reece McAlear who cannoned a free-kick off the crossbar on 30 minutes which Apter in turn managed to get onto the rebound, but his effort went over the bar.

The visitors continued to plug away and Emmanuel Adegboyega almost levelled the contest on 40 minutes with a header at the back-post but McGee was on hand to save and preserve the hosts' lead.

The Saddlers would soon get their rewards in added time of the first half however as Joe Foulkes sent in a dangerous cross into the box which was pin-point for Jamille Matt, who directed his header past McGee and into the back of the net to make it an evenly poised second half of action.

Sadlers's side came out for the second half and made the brighter start with some opportunities at goal. On 57 minutes, Taylor Allen stood over a free-kick mid-way through the Tranmere half and his delivery bobbled and evaded everyone in the box, including McGee and trickled into the back of the net to give us the lead, much to the delight of the 757 travelling Saddlers fans behind the goal.

Sadler turned to his bench shortly after as Matt was replaced by Mo Faal and the visitors continued to dominate from this moment - Hutchinson having a try from range after good work from Liam Gordon but his effort was wide of the mark as the Tranmere defence continued to be tested.

Moments after this, the Saddlers gave themselves breathing space in emphatic fashion as Brandon Comley had the ball in space and assessed his options before unleashing a fierce drive from distance into the back of the net to make it 1-3.

Douglas James-Taylor was also introduced into the action in place of J.Gordon as the game reached its conclusion and the Saddlers withstood any late pressure from the hosts to claim a valuable three points to take back to the West Midlands.


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