Match Preview: Tranmere Rovers (H)

AFC Fylde welcome Tranmere Rovers to Mill Farm for their final home friendly on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 3pm.

The Coasters return to action after Tuesday’s 2-0 triumph away at National League North outfit Curzon Ashton, with Harry Davis and Taelor O’Kane scoring the decisive goals in Greater Manchester.

Chris Beech’s men take on Rovers, who are the third EFL side to visit the Fylde Coast in pre-season, making the journey from the Wirral. 

Last term, Tranmere beat the three automatic promoted teams in Sky Bet League Two, securing impressive home wins against champions Stockport County as well as Mansfield Town at Prenton Park, and an away victory over local rivals Wrexham – finishing 16th on 57 points.

Fylde last met Tranmere on New Year’s Day 2018 for a Vanarama National League clash, putting on a five-star performance in a 5-2 victory at Mill Farm. 

The Manager: Nigel Adkins

Nigel Adkins was named as permanent Tranmere manager in November 2023 after being in interim charge for two-months following Ian Dawes’ departure.

Adkins, 59, who is from Birkenhead, began his Rovers’ association growing up on the Prenton Park terraces as a supporter, joining the club aged 16 as an apprentice.

Nigel made his debut for Rovers in November 1982 against Colchester United aged 17, and he remains the youngest goalkeeper to play a first-team game for the club to this day.

After making 86 appearances over the next four seasons, Adkins moved up a level to Division Three Wigan Athletic in 1986 for £3,000, spending seven-years and making over 150 appearances at Springfield Park.

Adkins then signed Bangor City on a part-time basis, whilst studying a physiotherapy degree at the University of Salford.

He soon became player/manager at Bangor, enjoying success by leading the club to a League of Wales and Welsh Cup double in 1993/94 and another Welsh league title in 1994/95.

His time at Bangor also saw Adkins manage in European competition.

After retiring from a playing career of 336 league appearances, Adkins joined the physiotherapy department at Scunthorpe United in 1996 whilst acting as goalkeeper coach, eventually becoming first-team manager at Glanford Park a decade later in 2006.

Adkins would guide the Iron to two promotions to the Championship, as champions in 2006/07 and as Play-Off winners in 2008/09.

Having kept Scunthorpe in the division against the odds in 2009/10, Adkins’ impact as manager would attract interest from Southampton, who appointed him in September 2010.

Adkins would deliver back-to-back promotions for the Saints, taking them from League One to the Premier League in 2010/11 and 2011/12 in a memorable period at St Mary’s.

He would leave Southampton in January 2013, with the Hampshire side 15th in the top-flight, however returned to the dugout with Reading a month later, remaining at the Royals until December 2014 before managing Sheffield United in 2015/16.

Adkins joined Charlton Athletic in March 2021, leaving the Valley in the October of the same year, and returned to his hometown club Tranmere as technical director in May 2023.

Having served as interim for two months since September 2023, Adkins took over permanently and oversaw an upturn in results to guide Rovers up the table.

One to watch: Connor Jennings

Forward Connor Jennings returned to Tranmere in June 2023 after four-years at Prenton Park earlier in his career, making 171 appearances and becoming a fan favourite at Prenton Park. 

He started his career at Stalybridge Celtic, where he also represented the England C team, before stints with Scunthorpe United, Stockport County, Macclesfield Town and Grimsby Town, moving to Wrexham in 2014, and featuring over 100 times for the Red Dragons.

Connor left Wrexham for Tranmere in June 2016, proving to be a key member of the Rovers side that won back-to-back play-off finals at Wembley in May 2018 and scoring the winner against Newport County under the arch a year later.

In July 2020, Manchester-born Jennings moved to Stockport on a permanent deal, securing promotion back to the EFL in his time at Edgeley Park and spent time on loan at Altrincham and a short spell in Hartlepool United colours.

The 32-year-old re-signed for Rovers last summer, scoring 12 goals in 48 games.

Tickets

Tickets for the Tranmere friendly are available for home and away supporters to purchase.

Admission details are as followed:

HOME SUPPORTERS

2022 seating: £25

West Stand premium: £18

West Stand Adult: £15

West Stand U18s: £6

West Stand U12s: £3

North Stand Adult: £10

North Stand U18s: £4

North Stand U12s: FREE

East Stand Adult: £12

East Stand U18s: £5

East Stand U12s: £3

AWAY SUPPORTERS

Away Standing Adult: £12

Away Standing U18s: £5

Away Seated Adult: £15

Away Seated U18s: £6

If you require disabled/carer tickets, please contact the AFC Fylde Club Shop by calling 01772 682593, who will assist you with your enquiry. 

Come and cheer on the Coasters against Tranmere Rovers. Purchase your tickets by CLICKING HERE

Match coverage

If you are not attending the game on Saturday afternoon, then Coasters Live has you covered!

Coasters Live will be on air from 2:45pm for the 3pm kick-off. It is the only place where you can listen to full-match commentary of every AFC Fylde fixture. 

Brian Porter will guide you through the 90 minutes, so you won’t miss a kick of the action!

To listen to Coasters Live commentaries on Mixlr, please CLICK HERE

You can follow the Tranmere game through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

X: @AFCFylde

Facebook: @AFCFyldeOfficial

Instagram: @afc_fylde

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