ROVERS MAKE LIFE HELL FOR RED DEVILS
Five-star showing is heaven for Mellon
MICKY Mellon praised the reaction of his players after they responded to the midweek loss at Forest Green by thrashing Crawley at Prenton Park.
Connor Jennings gave Rovers a 25th-minute lead before James Norwood notched his ninth and tenth goals of the season either side of half-time.
Adam Buxton’s penalty and a thunderbolt from Paul Mullin took the tally to five before the visitors pulled back a consolation through Olly Palmer.
Mellon said: “The boys have done fantastic, especially after Tuesday night.
“To bounce back and get a result the way that we did, we’ve got to say well done to them.
“Crawley are not at the right end of the table for any other reason than they are a decent side.
“We were clinical at times and took the chances when they came.
“We’re disappointed that we didn’t keep a clean sheet and I really mean that.
“But we’re happy to get the three points and get a load of people on the scoresheet.”
Making four changes to his starting line-up, Mellon’s men adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation that caused Crawley no end of problems.
Rovers attacked in waves and it was no surprise when Jennings smashed home a Manny Monthe knockdown midway through the first half.
Jennings then set up Norwood to shoot from the middle of the penalty area for his first before the break and Tranmere’s leading marksman headed home an Ollie Banks corner to make it three on 54 minutes.
Tranmere’s penalty seemed harsh on the visitors, with Glenn Morris adjudged to have clipped Norwood in the box, but Buxton had little concern as he cannoned it home before Mullin completed the rout with a rocket into the top corner.
Stunned Town responded when Palmer volleyed home Lewis Young’s cross from close range but they were soundly beaten.
Mellon added: “The most important thing was to get a result after Tuesday. We were very disappointed and took our medicine. We really worked hard Thursday and Friday to try and make sure we got back on track today.
“I think Larnell Cole is a fantastic talent. I had no hesitation in giving him a shot. It’s no real surprise to me that he’s played that way when the opportunity has come.”
Buxton said the team had showed great character.
“It’s a great bounce back victory,” he said.
“We knew exactly what Crawley’s style of play is. They like to get the ball down and take chances so we pressed them high. We knew if we nicked the ball we were in on their back four and I thought Nors and Coley – our front line – were brilliant working defensively today.
“Nors had missed his last two penalties so there was not a chance I was letting him take
that one today. I like to put a bit of power on it. The harder you hit it the less chance the keeper’s got of saving it. Lucky enough, it went in the back of the net.”
Crawley arrived in Birkenhead regarded as stiff opposition but were 2-0 down by half-time and never showed any signs of getting back into the contest.
Manager Gabriele Cioffi said: “We are a squad who cannot afford to have two or three players underperforming. We are a squad who cannot afford to not stick to the plan.
“We were really light in a couple of situations so we suffer two goals from corners.
“Basically, we didn’t play football. If you ask me is it fair, the result, maybe it’s too heavy, but yes, it’s fair.
“We respect everyone, but I think our squad is a strong squad. I trust my lads.
“This is a massive lesson because a big club like Tranmere – but with a humble mentality – show us that if you are not 110 per cent that’s what can happen.
“They can score because they are stronger, but if they score because they are unmarked it is different.”