Slade eyes cup backlash when Tranmere visit

Nov 20 2008 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

YEOVIL TOWN manager Russell Slade will demand a big response from his players in the League One encounter with Tranmere this weekend after they went out of the FA Cup under a five-goal avalanche at Stockport County on Tuesday night.

The Glovers endured a night of misery after Aaron Brown was sent off early in the game.

The experienced Slade insists his players must put the heavy defeat behind them as they continue the battle for League One survival.

“It was a double whammy when Aaron was sent off and then Stockport made it 2-0 from the resulting free-kick,” said Slade. “Effectively then the tie was over. We tried and kept going but it was always going to be an uphill battle after that.

“I’m really disappointed but we’ve got to put it behind us straight away because we’ve got a big survival battle on our hands.

“We’ve no time to sulk and we’ve no time to moan, we have a big opportunity to put things right on Saturday and that’s the only way to get over it, to put in a good performance against Tranmere and to win a football match.

“We’ll have to wait and see how the defeat affects the players but I think we have enough character in the side to put it behind us.”

Yeovil hope complete the loan signing on Port Vale’s Luke Rodgers today, with the striker due to make his debut against Tranmere.

Meanwhile, Tranmere’s under-19s were below their best in a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic in the Puma Youth Alliance.

Rovers needed a 91st-minute equaliser from Connor Roberts to rescue a point from an untidy game at Raby Vale after the visitors took the lead on the half-hour mark. Coach Shaun Garnett said: “We did not play particularly well and the goal we conceded was sloppy. We had plenty of chances but we were not ruthless enough to take them.”

Roberts snatched his last-gasp equaliser after making a well-timed run onto a through pass from Alex Pursehouse. Both teams left out some of their second-year apprentices and fielded a couple of under 16 players in the line-up ahead of FA Youth Cup ties last night

Garnett added: “The boys have produced some good performances this season but they have yet to find consistency. Young players can be very erratic. They are learning that good players are judged by consistency, not being brilliant one week in four.”

Tranmere play host to Blackpool in the Puma Youth Alliance Cup at Raby Vale on Saturday, kick-off 11am.

PETERBOROUGH have cut admission prices for the FA Cup second round tie with Tranmere on Saturday, November 29 by £5 all around the ground, while juniors and seniors will be able to enter London Road for just £5.

Adult admission to the grandstands at the cup tie will be £15 and the terraces £10.

Scunthorpe United have confirmed their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy northern semi-final against Tranmere will take place at Glanford Park on Tuesday December 16, kick-off 7.30pm. Admission will be by cash at the turnstiles, £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Under-16s enter the ground free, but under-14s must be with an adult.