Rovers’ second string sunk by strong City

Oct 11 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE RESERVES were restricted to just a handful of chances by a lively Manchester City line-up as they suffered their second Pontin’s Holidays League Division One West reverse at Prenton Park last night.

City had fortune on their side for their opening goal in the 16th minute when a Paul Marshall free-kick from 20 yards was deflected past keeper Shane McWeeney.

There was no doubt over the next two. Angelos Tsiaklis beat McWeeney with a left-foot wonder strike from the corner of the box on 55 minutes and a minute later set up David Ball to score from the corner of the six-yard box.

Tom Beahon put a good effort just over for Tranmere, soon after the kick-off. Terry Gornell was out of luck with two good strikes but Rovers on the night, were a definite second best with Dutch triallist Thijs Sluijter having little chance to shine on the left wing.

The dismissal in the last minute of Aaron Cresswell for a second yellow card for a late challenge added insult to injury for the Merseysiders.

TRANMERE RVRS RESERVES: McWeeney, Denson, Cresswell, Taylor, Holmes, Henry (Wilson 69), Blundell, Beahon, Macauley (Fraughan 69), Gornell, Sluijter. Subs: Mitchell, Kennedy, Richardson.

Tranmere under-19s had their first Youth Alliance victory of the season at the seventh attempt.

Two goals from Josh Macauley secured a 2-0 North west Conference success over Shrewsbury at Raby Vale. Rovers led from Macauley’s cool 10th-minute finish and survived a few nervous moments until the striker secured the points with a fine individual goal on 77.

Garnett said: “It was an important result and the clean sheet, the first of the season, was particularly satisfying.”