Hume has an early shot well wide. Doherty wins the first challenge against Jason McAteer in a much anticipated midfield duel. A Brooker challenge in the box leads to the first corner of the game for City but it comes to nothing. Ian Hume is booked for dissent, and the freekick he conceded is moved forward ten yards.
Honours even with 15 minutes gone the whistle happy Trevor Kettle is preventing the game from flowing properly. Ian Sharpe is so far getting the better of Leroy Lita. But then! A cross from Danny Coles flicked on to Steve Brooker who slots the ball home.
1-0 19 mins
A cross from Wilkshire, a header from Lita is saved comfortably by Achterberg. McAteer has a shot from 30 yards that sails just over with Steve Phillips already b*ll*cking his defence for allowing the shot. A cross from Wilkshire and Litas header is saved again. A challenge on McAteer is penalised when it appeared that Tommy Doherty won the ball. McAteer appeared to make the most of it and is now being booed with every touch. Half an hour gone.
Wilkshires long shot has Achterberg backpedalling but he watches it safely wide. Tony Butler is booked for hand ball that he didn't actual see, his decision being made by his assistant. The man is bizarre. He then reverses his assistants decision giving a throw-in to Tranmere when it was being flagged as City. The referee continues to lose a grip as Tommy Doherty and Jason McAteer square up to each other. Both get a yellow card as Trevor Kettle attempts to improve his appalling stats of card flashing.
Luke Wilkshire scores a superb 35 yard effort having already given Achterberg a warning from that distance.
2-0 41 mins
City look set to consolidate in 7th place in striking distance (5 points) of the top two. 23 goals in 9 home games! now for a team that could not score in Danny Wilsons last season!
H-T 2-0
Jason McAteer and Ian Goodison go off for Tranmere to be replaced by Daniel Harrison and David Beresford. Cardiff go a goal down in the Carling Cup at home to Pompey.
A good tackle in the City box by Matty Hill as Rankin attempted to wriggle clear. Tranmere force their second corner of the game. Dinning clears at the near post. City win a free kick on the edge of the box which is curled just over by Luke Wilkshire. Yakubu gets his second for Pompey from the penalty spot at Cardiff.
Brooker breaks clear onto a long clearance, a mix up between the defence and Achterberg and Steve Brooker scores from 25 yards with the keeper in no mans land.
3-0 57 mins
A Murray shot is saved by Achterberg. A Dinning shot is blocked by the defender. Simon Howarth comes on for Iain Hume who has been restricted to one shot in the first minute. This is Howarth's first game since breaking his leg in a 2-2 draw at Brentford last season.
Steve Phillips makes a good first save of the game from a free kick by Gareth Roberts tipping the ball over the bar. Tony Dinning heads the corner clear. A deflected Luke Wilkshire shot is scrambled clear by the goalkeeper preventing it from going for a corner. A shot from the edge of the box hits the side netting. City looking dangerous with every break.
Yellow card for an innocuous challenge on Steve Phillips by Simon Howart and another for accidental hand ball by Ryan Taylor as Trevor Kettle once again proves he is the only amateur on the pitch.
Bradley Orr comes on to replace Tommy Doherty (hopefully Orrs cousin is not around) and Steve Gillespie comes on for two goal hero Steve Brooker. 10 minutes left. Seconds later Mickey Bell comes off to be replaced by Jamie Smith who goes to right back with Danny Coles joining Tony Butler in the centre and Matty Hill going to left back. Tranmere get a free kick on the edge of the box but waste the chance.
Lita just can't get onto another Murray cross. Gillespie is fouled in the box and City get a penalty! Mickey Bell has been substituted so the ball is given to Luke Wilkshire who scores his second of the night but the referee asks for it to be retaken but his scores again. Kettle is a chuffing teapot.
4-0 89 mins
25 goals in nine games at home for City 34 in total, City up to 7th and 5 points behind the team they have just humiliated.
FT 4-0
Attendance: 11,098 (338 from Tranmere)
Drink Up Ye Cider
Drink Up Ye Cider
For Tonight We'll Merry Be.
Teams
City
1. Steve Phillips
5. Danny Coles
12. Tony Butler
6. Matthew Hill
3. Mickey Bell
7. Scott Murray
4. Tommy Doherty
18. Tony Dinning
14. Luke Wilkshire
8. Leroy Lita
32. Stephen Brooker
Subs
2. Jamie Smith
11. Brian Tinnion
17. Bradley Orr
19. Steven Gillespie
25. Joe Anyinsah
Tranmere Rovers
1. John Achterberg
2. Ryan Taylor
4. Michael Jackson
5. Ian Sharps
15. Ian Goodison
11. Paul Hall
34. Jason McAteer
8. Mark Rankine
3. Gareth Roberts
7. Iain Hume
10. Gary Jones
Subs
9. Simon Haworth
13. Russell Howarth (GK)
14. Eugene Dadi
18. Daniel Harrison
20. David Beresford
