Latics vs. Tranmere Rovers

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 20

7 December 2021

Latics welcome historic rivals Tranmere Rovers to Boundary Park for a Sky Bet League Two clash (7:45pm KO).

Oldham had a rare weekend off due to the fact that they were out of the Emirates FA Cup, but may still be on a high from victory last time out in the Papa John’s Trophy.

A goal from Harry Vaughan was enough for Latics to secure qualification to the next knockout round in a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland.

Form Guide

Tranmere come into this game on a mixed run of form.

In the league, they have won one of their previous six meetings, whilst last time out they were also knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Leyton Orient.

Rovers are still very much in contention for promotion, they are just four points away from a place in the play-off spots with a game in hand on most of the sides above them as well.

They were part of Oldham’s Papa John’s Trophy group and they will be hoping to join Latics in the next knockout round when they welcome Harrogate Town to Prenton Park.

Rovers’ Last Six:

Leyton Orient 4-0 Tranmere Rovers (Emirates FA Cup Round Two)
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Bradford City
Bristol Rovers 2-2 Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Sutton United
Tranmere Rovers 3-2 Latics (Papa John's Trophy Group Stage)
Crawley Town 0-1 Tranmere Rovers (Emirates FA Cup Round One)

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 92

Latics wins: 36
Tranmere wins: 34
Draws: 22

Scored: 129
Conceded: 132

This will be the third time that the two clubs have met already this season.

The previous encounters have come in other competitions; the Carabao Cup and the Papa John’s Trophy.

Club News

07122021 Tranmere Programme

6 December 2021

The last one saw Rovers come out on top at Prenton Park. Zak Dearnley netted twice in the first half to give Latics a two-goal lead.

However, a goal on the stroke of halftime from Paul Glatzel would set the tone for the second half and a goal from Nicky Maynard as well as a second from Glatzel saw Rovers claim victory.

The result didn’t turn out to be too much of an issue as Latics did qualify in second place from the group thanks to their earlier win over Salford City.

In the Carabao Cup game at Boundary Park, it was Oldham who successfully overturned a two-goal deficit.

Dylan Bahamboula and an own goal cancelled out a lead given to the visitors by Sam Foley and Elliot Nevitt and the hosts were able to keep their nerve in the penalty shootout to book their place in the second round.

Watch Out For

Latics will probably remember the damage caused by Paul Glatzel the last time that the two clubs met.

Paul Glatzel.jpg

Since opening his account with a brace over Oldham, the forward has been much more involved in the Tranmere squad and he has rewarded his manager’s loyalty.

He has netted in both of Rovers’ previous two league meetings, scoring the winning goal against Bradford City and the equaliser against Bristol Rovers.

The youngster finds himself at Tranmere Rovers thanks to a loan deal from their city counterparts Liverpool.

Glatzel, 20, has been a part of the setup at Liverpool since under 9s and this season is his first spent away from the club.

Yet to make an appearance for his parent club, his professional debut came this season in Tranmere’s 1-0 win over Walsall.

He has an interesting international career already, having represented youth sides for both England and Germany.

Familiar Faces

There are a few familiar faces in the Tranmere squad.

Firstly, Peter Clarke is a former Latic and he enjoyed three good seasons with the club.

Peter Clarke - Two.jpg

The 39-year-old played 124 times for the football club where the centre half scored an impressive 15 times.

Another name that Oldham fans may remember is Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.jpg

The 26-year-old spent a brief spell on loan with Latics from Salford City but he suffered injury issues that limited his game time to just four appearances.

In The Dugout

Micky Mellon is the man in the dugout for the visitors.

Micky Mellon.jpg

Mellon is currently enjoying his second spell in charge at Prenton Park.

His first top job in the game came with Fleetwood Town. He let Town to two promotions during his tenure.

Other than a brief spell as Barnsley caretaker boss, his next job was Shrewsbury Town before his first spell with Tranmere.

His next opportunity took him north of the border with Dundee United. He left after the 2020/21 season with United finishing ninth.

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Andy Haines.

Andy Haines.jpg

Haines last officiated a Latics game in March 2021 as we played out a goalless draw away at Bradford Cty. On that day, he handed out two yellow cards and zero red cards.

He's taken charge of 18 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 50 yellow cards and zero red cards.

Haines will be assisted by Simon Clayton and Lewis Raper, with Matthew Parry as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Tranmere Rovers are favourites to win the third meeting between the two clubs, currently priced at 29/20.

Latics are 17/10 to make it two wins on the bounce whilst 23/10 is the price available for the game to end in a draw.

Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org

How To Follow The Game

Fixture News

07122021 iFollow Match Pass Tranmere Home

6 December 2021

Live match action on the £10 'match pass' is available on iFollow Latics in the UK and overseas for supporters who can't attend in person, with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown talking you through the match action.

For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Match Reports

Latics 0-1 Tranmere Rovers

7 December 2021

Selim Benachour’s first game on the touchline at Boundary Park ended in a defeat against Tranmere Rovers on a bitterly cold evening in Greater Manchester.

Early into the encounter, Davis Keillor-Dunn’s excellent curled effort cannoned off the crossbar to the relief of their goalkeeper before the attacker headed wide of the target from close range later on.

Latics thought that they’ve taken the lead as the ball found the back of the net, however, the referee opted for a retake of the corner kick with frustration growing in the home terraces.

However, Charlie Jolley stole the headlines as he coolly tapped in from inside the six-yard to steal the three points in the 89th minute for the Super White Army.

Following an improved performance in the Papa John’s Trophy against Sunderland, the well-travelled interim Head Coach named three changes to the starting XI for the visit of our historic rivals. Zak Dearnley, Jamie Bowden and Harrison McGahey returned to the side and they were looking to make an impression.

Additionally, Nicky Adams also retained his place in the team which meant that he’d earned his 650th career appearance, a truly incredible achievement.

The boys in blue began the encounter on the front foot as they applied pressure on the visitors as Benny Couto tested their shot-stopper. Adams drilled his corner into the path of the onrushing left-back, however, his fierce low strike was well-saved by Ross Doohan.

In the sixth minute of the match, both sets of supporters united with a minute’s applause in memory of Birmingham City fan, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. Our thoughts are with all affected by this cruel tragedy. Rest in Peace, Arthur.

Keillor-Dunn nearly opened the scoring as he produced his trademark attempt on goal. The creative-midfielder received possession on the edge of the box before he opened his body up to curl an effort goalwards, but it, unfortunately, cannoned off the crossbar with the ‘keeper beaten.

Following that, Adams delivered a pinpoint cross to Keillor-Dunn inside the penalty area, however, he somehow steered his header wide of the target whilst being unmarked in a promising position.

Benachour’s side had the ball in the back of the net, but to the frustration of the home faithful, the referee demanded that the corner be retaken after he adjusted that the ball moved as Couto made a connection with it.

Early into the second-half, Dearnley, who netted twice in the last outing against Rovers, nearly put his side ahead when Hallam Hope flicked the ball into his path before the frontman smashed an attempt from close range on goal, however, Callum MacDonald expertly cleared his effort off the line.

After being introduced from the bench, Liam Feeney endeavoured to be the cutting edge for Merseyside-based outfit. The veteran wideman dribbled past three defenders before demonstrating an abundance of ability to cut inside from the left-wing, although he could only blast his long-range strike over the crossbar.

In the 70th minute, Keillor-Dunn, once again, was presented with a golden opportunity to get himself on the scoresheet. Adams typically delivered an inviting cross into the area which found his teammate at the back post, but he steered his header wide of the target from inside the six-yard box.

Morris went in search of the hero status for Tranmere with just over five minutes remaining as he rifled a strike from distance, but the former Walsall playmaker witnessed his attempt hit the post.

Buoyed on by their vocal supporters in the Chaddy End, the Super White Army broke the deadlock in the 89th minute courtesy of Jolley. The striker, recalled from his loan spell at Chester prior to the match, managed to tap in from close range to salvage all three points.

Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Adams, McGahey, Piergianni ©, Couto, Cisse (Whelan 52’), Bowden, Vaughan (Stobbs 79’), Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley (Bahamboula 71’), Hope.

Unused Subs: Southerington (GK), Hart, Stobbs, Diarra, Luamba.

Tranmere Rovers XI – Doohan (GK), Dacres-Cogley, MacDonald, Davies, Spearing (O’Connor 78’), Jolley, McManaman (Morris 80’), Hawkes (Feeney 44’), Foley, Nevitt, Clarke ©.

Unused Subs: Murphy (GK), Watson, Maynard, Duffy.

Goals: Jolley 89’

Attendance: 4,303 (812 away)

Referee – Andy Haines