Micky Mellon is sure to be satisfied with the start his team made to pre-season as Rovers thrashed Dunfermline 4-0 at East End Park.
The match was Tranmere’s first pre-season game and marked the end of a week-long training camp up in Scotland. Their hosts had already played two games previously and so should have been expected to put in a strong display.
It wasn’t to be however, as Mellon’s team looked sharper and quicker from the off, not to mention having more quality than the Scottish Championship outfit.
New boy Ollie Banks set-up Larnell Cole to open the scoring toward the end of the first half, Banks’ through ball perfectly picking out Cole who went through on goal before dinking the ball over the advancing keeper.
As expected, it was a game with some trialists and youth players involved as well. Half-time saw the introduction of two trialists, midfielder Reece Flanagan who we already knew about (ex-Walsall), and a new name for everyone; Amadou Soukouna.
The lively Frenchman saw two early efforts saved in the second half but soon was on the scoresheet, doubling Tranmere’s lead with a sumptuous 25-yard curler.
Youngster Danny Walker-Rice made it three after a nice ball from the lively Ben Tollitt, Walker-Rice cutting in from the right and bending a fine effort in off the far post. Walker-Rice made his competitive first team debut as a sub toward the end of the home game against Solihull at the end of last season (pictured above).
There was still time for a fourth goal to complete an excellent day’s work, centre back Nick Long heading home Tollitt’s corner.
There were many encouraging signs for Micky Mellon, not least the pace and danger posed by the fit again Tollitt.
Next up is Liverpool on Tuesday night, who put seven past Chester yesterday.
