9-0! IT’S A MERE ROUT AS ROVERS RUN RIOT!
‘I feel lonely’, says Moors boss
“We’re delighted with the result, certainly the goal difference looks a lot healthier” Micky Mellon Tranmere manager “We let our supporters down so we will pay for the supporters’ coach to the next game” Liam McDonald Solihull manager
VERDICT: As poor as Solihull were, this was simply ruthless stuff from Tranmere Rovers, who appear to have found their stride at a crucial moment. Watch out Lincoln
FREE-SCORING Tranmere swatted sorry Solihull with nine strokes of the cane, in a result that was almost as good as a point gained on title rivals Lincoln.
Cole Stockton scored a first-half hat-trick before Connor Jennings followed suit after the break. Andy Cook, Liam Ridehalgh and debutant Aaron Collins also found the net in an awesome display from Rovers, who have now won six on the bounce.
It narrowed the goal difference deficit with Lincoln from 11 to just three, leaving Micky Mellon gleaming.
He said: “Certainly with the result we are delighted. The goal difference now looks a lot healthier.
“Now it looks like a good decision to send Connor Jennings out on loan. There was never a doubt about the boy’s ability.
“I’ve got such a strong squad – you’ve a seen a wee glimpse of the new lads that came on today. I’ve also got other lads that are fit who never took part.
“I just have to keep them all onside, but they all understand that the most important thing is Tranmere. Nothing will get in the way of Tranmere doing their best to win games.”
Rovers took the lead in the 20th minute when a perfect left-footed cross from James Norwood was met with a bullet header from Stockton that gave Danny Lewis no chance.
Five minutes later he had his second of the afternoon when he collected the ball on the edge of the box and drilled it into the corner of the net.
A minute later Tranmere were awarded a penalty when Jennings was pushed over in the box.
With Tranmere having missed seven spot-kicks this season, the responsibility fell to Stockton with the chance to complete a first half hat-trick, but just like his predecessors he was unable to convert the spot kick with the overworked Lewis saving well to his left.
But the striker made amends just before the break when Ridehalgh slipped the ball across the face of the goal and Stockton slid home at the far post.
After the break, Jennings scored two in two minutes, with a low drive and a close range header.
Cook came on for the brilliant Stockton and soon added to the goal tally, heading home Lee Vaughan’s cross.
Ridehalgh then bent home a sumptuous free kick before Jennings completed his hat-trick with an arrowed half volley.
Collins completed the rout deep in injury-time, leaving Solihull manager Liam McDonald a broken man.
He said: “At this level you shouldn’t be getting scores like this. We’re at a stage now where I’m looking for men to stand up and be counted. Today we’ve given up.
“Today was about making sure we gave a good account of ourselves, but it was the complete opposite. I’m lost for words.
“We’ve let the supporters down. We’ll pay for the coach to the next away game out of respect for the fact that they’ve paid money to come and watch.
“They steamrolled us. This is the most disappointing time since I became a manager. I felt lonely.”