Tranmere Rovers
nPower League 1
Friday 6th March 2012
Prenton Park, Tranmere
Kick Off: 3pm
Weather Forecast: Cloudy, 8°c
Referee: Paul Gibbs
Stevenage make the trip to Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday looking to get a first win since playing Oldham Athletic on March 13th, having drawn 8 games in their last 10 they will be looking to get back to winning ways to reignite the promotion push.
Last time we met:
Stevenage defeated Tranmere Rovers 2-1 at the Lamex Stadium back in December with Chris Beardsley and Mark Roberts getting on the score sheet. The former went off injured after celebrating his goal whilst it was the last time that the latter found the back of the net. Ben May, now on loan with Barnet, was given a straight red card in the tie after a clash with goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and in added time the away side scored from the spot but Boro managed to hold on to all three points.
Boro: Day; Wilson, Ashton, Roberts, Laird; Freeman, Aneke, Bostwick, Long (Cowan); Harrison (May), Beardsley(Shroot)
Subs not used: Julian, Edwards
Team News:
Gary Smith could welcome back Jordan Slew who has served his three game suspension for the straight red card he picked up in the League One fixture against Colchester United. Darius Charles has been ruled out for the rest of the season whilst Chris Beardsley is also a few weeks away from a return. The game comes too quickly for John Mousinho who may feature in the reserves game against Southend next week meaning that Joel Byrom and Michael Bostwick at the most likely central midfield partnership.
Like Stevenage, Tranmere's top goal scorer is only on single figures. Midfielder Joss Labadie and Striker Adam McGurk both have 5 goals and McGurk is fit for the tie after coming through a reserve game against Bolton Wanderers in midweek. James Wallace has also returned from injury in time for a match against a side that he joined on loan days before Graham Westley left the club; his deal was subsequently cancelled and he joined the Superwhites.
Tranmere Rovers Recent Form:
Tranmere Rovers go into the game in 13th place in League One with 48 points from 40 games. They sit 7 points ahead of the relegation places so will be fighting for every point to ensure that gap remains the same.
Rovers are below Stevenage in the form table, but with four wins from their last eight games they aren't to be taken lightly. They have drawn 2 and lost 2 in that time and have kept 15 clean sheets this season.
They have drawn 9 of their 20 home games so far this season, with 8 wins and just 3 losses.