Tranmere vs Blackpool

Tranmere, who had beaten Bootle 3-0 a week earlier, controlled the opening half-hour without creating clear-cut chances. The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Charlie Jay Whitaker — an academy product looking to push for first-team minutes this season — finished smartly to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.

Blackpool, managed by Ian Evatt, had started their pre-season with a 3-2 win over AFC Fylde but struggled to build sustained pressure at Prenton Park. The Seasiders' best spell came early in the second half, but they could not turn possession into clear chances.

Tranmere doubled their lead in the 54th minute. Jordan Davies, a trialist featuring for Rovers, scored the second goal to put the result beyond doubt. The identity of the scorer — a player not yet under contract — underlined the depth of the squad as they build toward the new League Two season.

No cards were issued across the 90 minutes, reflecting the friendly nature of the contest.

Blackpool's failure to capitalise on a bright start to the second half proved decisive. The Seasiders had their best spell in the first 10 minutes after the restart but could not find an equaliser. Tranmere punished them immediately when Davies scored minutes later, effectively ending the contest before the hour mark.

• Charlie Whitaker (Tranmere): The academy graduate opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 31st minute, continuing his strong pre-season form. The 20-year-old midfielder is making a case for regular minutes in the upcoming campaign.
• Jordan Davies (Tranmere): The trialist scored the second goal that sealed the win. His performance on a non-contract basis will have given the Tranmere coaching staff food for thought.
• Lee O'Connor (Tranmere): The full-back was solid defensively and spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside after the match, saying he felt "good and ready for the season."
• Tranmere defence: A clean sheet against a League One side — Tranmere's second shutout in two pre-season games — suggests defensive solidity is building ahead of the League Two campaign.

Player of the match: Charlie Whitaker — his opening goal set the tone and he was lively throughout.

The scoreline (2-0, 1-0 at half-time) reflects a game Tranmere controlled without dominating. Whitaker's 31st-minute opener gave them a platform to sit slightly deeper in the second half, absorbing Blackpool pressure before Davies struck the decisive second.

No cards were shown and only two goals were scored — typical of a mid-July pre-season friendly where both sides were still building match sharpness. Tranmere's ability to keep a second consecutive clean sheet, however, is notable: they have now kept two shutouts in two friendlies.

Tranmere continue their pre-season unbeaten after two matches, with a 100% record and two clean sheets. The Rovers next face further pre-season fixtures as they build toward the start of the 2026-27 League Two campaign.

Blackpool, meanwhile, are now 1-1 in pre-season following their 3-2 win over AFC Fylde. Evatt's side will look to sharpen their attacking edge in the remaining friendlies before the League One season begins.

Both sides will treat this result with caution — pre-season form is rarely a reliable predictor — but Tranmere's two wins from two with clean sheets sends a positive signal, while Blackpool will want more from the final third in their next outing.

A professional Tranmere performance against a League One side a division above them. Whitaker and Davies took their chances efficiently, and the defensive unit held firm. Blackpool will need more sharpness in the final third as the season approaches, but pre-season defeats carry limited weight. The trialist Davies, however, gave Tranmere's staff something to consider.