AFC Fylde................ 1

Tranmere Rovers.... 4 

Tranmere will head into the new National League season with plenty to look forward to after they completed their preseason schedule with a 4-1 rout at AFC Fylde.

National League North side Fylde, who are managed by former Rovers defender Dave Challinor, had been expected to provide stiff opposition for Gary Brabin’s new-look side.

But in what was the host’s final match at Kellamergh Park before they move to a brand new 6,000 capacity stadium, they ran into a Tranmere side hungry for a return to the Football League and on this evidence, with the fire-power to achieve it.

Brabin sprung a few surprises with his team selection, starting Lois Maynard at right back, Evan Gumbs at centre half and deploying a 4-3-3 formation, which saw Andy Cook, Darren Stephenson and Adam Mekki combine with instant results.

Tranmere took the lead after only two minutes when Cook picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box, which he clinically smashed home on the half volley.

He could’ve added a second only two minutes later but his close range poked effort was scrambled wide by the Fylde goalkeeper.

The Coasters’ trialist keeper gifted Rovers a second just past the quarter of an hour mark when he shanked a goal kick straight into the path of Stephenson who gleefully belted it into the net.

Rovers looked hungry and Mekki added a third on 25 minutes, finding space on the edge of the box before lifting the ball - with the help of a slight deflection – over the hapless trialist in the Fylde goal.

The Coasters pulled one back on 36 minutes when Steve Williams headed a deep free kick from Richie Baker back across Scott Davies’ goal, sneaking in at the far post.

It was to be a rare moment of promise for Fylde however, who spent the majority of the contest struggling to cope with Rovers’ interchanging front three.

The hosts did have an opportunity two minutes after the break when substitute Sam Finley found himself clean through on goal but Davies was quick off his line and thwarted the danger.

Tranmere added a fourth on 57 minutes when a cross from Cook found the head of Jay Harris which the keeper could only help palm into the net.

Rovers made a clutch of substitutions in the final half hour, but the result had long been put to bed leaving manager Brabin highlt encouraged ahead of the trip to Bromley on Saturday.

He said: “I’m pleased with loads of aspects. The lads have worked their socks off and I think tactically they’ve worked hard.

“I think there’s been some pleasing performances as well so it’s nice to finish the preseason with a good performance. It was important that we came through the game unscathed as well.

“Now it’s down to the nitty gritty, we’ve got to make sure that we carry that good form into the start of the season.

“There’s no getting away from the fact that we didn’t score enough goals (last season). We had Nors (James Norwood) with 21 but aside that it was disappointing.

“Now we’ve got players in the side who’ve got goals in them and I think they’ve added a bit of quality as well.

“We’ve had a good variety of games preseason where we’ve been able to play the lads and share the minutes. It’s not just about fitness it’s about being ready for the start of the season.

“To be fair to the lads they’ve worked hard and they’ve given us a problem to decide who is going to be in the starting XI for the start of the season.

"It’s a nice problem to have.”

Match Stats:

AFC Fylde 1 Williams 36

Rovers 4 Cook 2, Stephenson 16, Mekki 25, Harris 57

Half time: 1-3

Star man: Adam Mekki (Tranmere forward)

Entertainment: 4/5

Tranmere starting team (4-3-3): Davies, Maynard, McNulty, Gumbs, Ridehalgh, Harris, Hughes, C Jennings, Mekki, Cook, Stephenson Subs used: Turner, Vaughan, S Jennings, Norwood