<
        >
          2016/17 National League, Semi-finals
          Aldershot Town Aldershot Town ALD
          0
          FT
          3
          Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers TRN
          • Cole Stockton (3', 75')
          • James Norwood (48')
          1st Leg
          1st Leg

          Aldershot Town 0-3 Tranmere Rovers

          May 3, 2017
          • PA Sport

          Two Cole Stockton goals put Tranmere in total control of their Vanarama National League semi-final play-off after a comfortable 3-0 first-leg win at Aldershot.
          It did not take long for Rovers to break the deadline when Jeff Hughes dispossessed James Kellermann deep in the Aldershot half before his low cross found Stockton to fire past Jake Cole in the third minute.
          The visitors almost doubled their advantage through Connor Jennings but his effort was superbly blocked by a last-ditch tackle from Callum Reynolds, whilst at the other end, Bernard Mensah rattled the crossbar with goalkeeper Scott Davies well beaten as Rovers took a slender half-time lead.
          But Tranmere were 2-0 up shortly after the restart when Cole failed to deal with a simple cross from Liam Ridehalgh before dropping the ball at the feet of striker James Norwood to tap into an empty net.
          Stockton sealed the victory in the 75th minute with a well-taken finish to double his tally following a swift counter from Norwood and give Rovers a huge advantage ahead of the return leg.
          ends