Tranmere Rovers 0, Bolton 1

Jul 30 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE could take enough positive elements out of the first big test of the summer’s pre-season friendlies to make light of the result.

Rovers may have lost to one-time fierce rivals Bolton Wanderers, failed to score and provided only a meagre ration of excitement for 3,726 spectators at Prenton Park.

But manager Ronnie Moore was still able to talk with quiet satisfaction afterwards about a performance that suggested Tranmere’s preparations for the new League One campaign, now less than two weeks away, are on course.

Saturday’s encounter with an established Premier League side was a significant step up after five warm-up games against teams who were playing non-league football last season.

Tranmere took the adjustment in their stride, matching Bolton well enough to keep the contest finally balanced throughout.

The home side were competitive in every area of the pitch.

And if they found it difficult to create scoring opportunities against a well marshalled Bolton defence, chances were almost as hard to come by for the visitors.

An 81st minute goal by young Portuguese winger Ricardo Vaz Te settled the issue as Bolton punished a rare moment when Tranmere allowed their defensive discipline to waver.

Otherwise, Rovers’ work at the back was impressive.

Moore’s selection offered clues to the line-up he has in mind that the opening League One fixture against Leeds on August 11 – but by no means the full picture.

Goalkeeper Danny Coyne, rarely tested by the Bolton attack, will find himself under pressure from goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, Moore hinted afterwards.

Skipper Ian Goodison was partnered in central defence by summer signing Antony Kay for the first three quarters of the game then by another new boy Ben Chorley the last 24 minutes.

Chorley, playing catch-up in terms of fitness after missing a week of training and two games with a knock, will probably get the chance to strengthen his claims in another testing friendly against Championship side Stoke City on Friday.

Chris Shuker and Steve Davies showed why they are good bets to secure the wide midfield births but the two central positions look to be wide open.

Steve Jennings, off the radar through injury and while out on loan at Hereford last season, maintained his rising pre-season profile by playing the first 66 minutes alongside Paul McLaren.

John Mullin, also playing catch-up after an early-season knock and Adnan Ahmed, another new signing, were among the flurry of substitutions made by both sides that broke up the rhythm of the game in the second half.

Moore changed his strikeforce after just over an hour with Calvin Zola and Chris Greenacre giving way to Gareth Taylor and Craig Curran.

While Tranmere stuck to the 4-4-2 system that served through most of last season, Bolton were trying something new.

Manager Sammy Lee, who took over the reins towards the end of last season, is attempting to introduce a 4-4-2 formation in place of the narrower 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 set-ups favoured by his predecessor, Sam Allardyce.

The changeover is not without its teething troubles, as witnessed by Bolton’s 3-0 defeat at Hibernian last Wednesday.

Here, with most of the big names on duty – with the notable exception of transfer target Nicolas Anelka – the Wanderers were better organised and more cohesive than in Scotland, though still less than fluent.

Icelandic striker Heidar Helguson spurned an opportunity to give the visitors and eighth minute lead when he missed his kick from Kevin Davies’ pass in front of goal.

Tranmere could not make anything from a succession of half chances as Robbie Stockdale, Shuker, Zola and Steve Davies narrowly missed the target.

El-Hadji Diouf fired high over the bar after a mis-directed clearance dropped his way in the 32nd minute and Kevin Davies came closest of all to breaking the first half deadlock with a 45th minute shot from the edge of the box that rattled the crossbar.

Goalmouth incidents were fewer and further between after the interval.

The balance of possession tipped Bolton’s way however and the visitors reward was Vaz Te’s crisp low shot into the net after Diouf knocked the ball down just inside the box.