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Tranmere Rovers visit Colchester United in EFL2 at the JobServe Community Stadium |
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Football is back again. It’s the first game of the EFL season and we’re at Colchester where the Rovers face the Eagles. It’s been 3 months since we last watched the whites on that fantastic day in Newport. It’s not as sunny today with clouds and a few spits of rain. We’re in a big crowd. It’s filling up behind the goal and over 700 SWA are expected. There are a few familiar faces in the squad. Luke is still in goal, whoop. There are still 3 at the back with Jordan Turnbull alongside old favourite, Lee O’Connor and great new signing Nathan Smith. Storming Cameron Norman is on the right wing with new boy Patrick Brough on the left. Exciting news is that, fan favourite, Nathan Bristow is back at the Whites although he is not in the squad today. There are two good new signings in the middle with new captain Richie Smallwood alongside youngster and Liberian international Nohan Kenneh. Across the front are Oh Mar Reeee Patrick, Josh Davison and "O-E-O" Connor Jennings. There are a few more old faces along with some new ones that we’ll hopefully see as the season goes on. The club seems to be in chaos off the pitch but inside the bubble of Andy Crosby’s SWA, it’s all looking quite hopeful. Lets hope the Rovers can bring it home for the 700 SWA today.
A scrappy first 10 with chances for Lee O’Connor and Josh blocked. The Rovers get a couple of corners. The first is headed over by Smith. The second is flicked on by the head of Norman to find the foot of Connor. Into the net it goes on 15 ⚽. 1-0 to the Whites. Top of the league sing the SWA who have just checked the league table. Someone ring Rick Parry and get the league abandoned now before anyone else scores. Tranmere continue to get chances and corners but it’s down the other end so it’s difficult to see how close we are getting to a second. The Eagles get a couple of chances in the last 5 minutes but it’s the Rovers in the lead at the break. Hope we don’t come to regret those missed chances. It’s also an opportunity for a breather for the SWA who have been very noisy. The whole stand feels like it’s swaying at times. It hasn’t stopped more than a few from going early for a beer and watching the last few minutes of the half through exit, bottle in hand 🍺.
Tranmere are still looking to push on in the first 10. The changes start with Danny Cowley blinking first. He gets it right and it’s more even now. There are a flurry more changes at the hour mark as Josh makes way for Kristian and Omari for Luton Town loanee Taylan Harris. Cowley also makes a couple more changes for the home side. Starting to feel he has a little bit more depth available for changes than Andy’s recently built Rovers squad. Danny is a class manager at this level. Shame he's getting it today. Connor makes way for Sol with 20 to play. The quality of the Eagles changes is starting to tell as they are threatening to score. Ten to go and Nohan, who has just been booked is replaced by experienced arrivee from Port Vale, Jason Lowe. The pressure eventually tells as sub Lisbie scores on 87. Poo. The Whites dig in to prevent a second and the points are shared.
For a short while then, we literally top of the league. It didn’t last. That early goal rasing expectations. We could have had more but it’s a long long season and we are just starting to build so it's not a bad start. It was an uncomfortable watch. Not because of the football but the broken seats being a pain in the bum. A fantastic turn out for the SWA as this is such an out of the way place. It’s a good fun trip out with the Whites. Not the usual scorchio of the first game of the season but we know how cold it can get here so we’re not complaining. Danny Cowley has a fantastic record in this league and we will have learned a few things today. A good start for Andy Crosby’s Super White Army. Tranmere are in Crawley in 2 weeks so we’ll see you there.
POTM: It’s hard to pick as the team are just starting to work well together so it goes to Andy Crosby, King of the SWA.
Scran’o’meter enjoyed the Maccies breakfast from Clackett Lane. Bottle were sold in the ground with top on. 😲
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| No summer sun today |
