By Deadly Submarine
July 10 2016
Three different players hit the target as Rovers’ youth side win their first pre-season game of the summer away in North Wales.....
Tranmere’s new look Under 18 side got off to a winning start to their pre-season friendly campaign on Sunday afternoon as they overcame Airbus UK’s Under 19 side at an initially sodden but ultimately sunny and windy Hollingsworth Group Stadium in Broughton, North Wales.
Prior to the game as the small crowd trickled into the Stadium, the rain deluged and the game, played on a 3G synthetic pitch, looked set to be an interesting one in those conditions. By kick-off however, the rain had passed and the blue sky allowed fans and players a respite as the game got underway with Rovers shooting towards the vast Airfield at one end of the Ground in windy conditions.
The opening exchanges saw Rovers have most of the ball but saw little action of note at either end with Jamie Heron the biggest attacking threat for Rovers down the left side. Ultimately it was Heron who put Rovers ahead in the 20th minute with a stroke of luck.
No sooner had Jamie Heron’s high cross from the left wing left his foot did it become clear that the young Airbus keeper was struggling to judge it’s direction and indeed the wind carried the ball straight into the back of the net unaided for a fortunate but deserved Rovers opener.
Tranmere's Under 18's celebrate Jamie Heron's somewhat fortunate opening goal
Just a few minutes after taking the lead, Rovers created another great chance which captain Tom Croughan fired across the face of goal and agonisingly just past the far post before many of the fans inside the ground were temporarily distracted by the arrival at the Airfield of the huge Beluga aircraft used to transport wings from the Broughton plant to France.
With that distraction over, Rovers continued to dominate the first half with the home side creating one decent chance of their own which was fired wide of Paddy Wharton’s goal for a Rovers goal kick but there was no further goal scoring action and the first half ended 1-0 to Rovers.
Rovers Winger Jamie Heron in action as the adjacent Airfield has a large visitor arriving behind
At half-time, striker Tolani Omotola, who despite turning professional this summer has not travelled to Ireland with the first-team squad this week, came on for Rovers along with Jay Devine replacing Joe Brett and Ethan Devine respectively. The substitutes though were rolling on and off so both Brett and Ethan Devine were to re-appear later in the game in place of other players.
Captain Croughan continued to look dangerous for the visitors whilst second-year scholar Jack Fleming and first-year newcomer Declan Drysdale marshalled the centre of a comfortable looking defence.
On 65 minutes, a great Rovers move put Callum Lucy in a great position in the penalty area but he couldn’t get his shot on target and the ball went wide. Rovers’ next attack though produced a second goal as Tom Croughan looped a header up and over the half-time replacement Airbus goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.
Rovers Captain and Second Goalscorer Tom Croughan in action at Airbus
Rovers though, were ahead for less than ten minutes as the defence seemed to switch off all at the same time allowing the home side a relatively easy finish at the Airfield end for 2-1.
Just before the final whistle, Tolani Omotola saw his first real sight of goal and made no mistake with a composed low finish past the Airbus goalkeeper for 3-1 to Rovers – a scoreline which would remain until the final whistle.
A good first run-out for the Under 18’s for this pre-season and a decent win to add to the performance. Next up for the Under 18’s is a friendly game away at Prestatyn Town on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm.
Match Summary
Score: Airbus U19's 1-3 Tranmere Rovers U18's
Goalscorers: Heron, Croughan, Omotola
Tranmere Team: Wharton, Galloway, Drysdale, Fleming, Solomon-Davies, Lucy, Cringle, E.Devine, Heron, Croughan (c), Brett.
Tranmere Subs Used (Rolling): Omotola, J.Devine
Man of the Match:
Commendable mentions to the centre-backs Drysdale and Fleming and to Jamie Heron but Captain Tom Croughan takes the award for this game for hsi great headed goal and all-round performance.
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Quote:Fiftyyearsarover
I heard the Airbus winger was ultra fast is that him with the wings getting warmed up Good picture deadly