Player of the season is......?

As the season is now finished, it's time for announcing footballblog of Fjeld's player of the season... After counting all the man of the match picks, the result were as following:

1st place with 7 moms
Ian Goodison

2nd place with 4 moms
Chris Shuker

3rd place with 2 moms
Chris Greenacre
Paul McLaren
John Mullin
Calvin Zola

7th place with 1 mom
John Achterberg
Craig Curran
Jason McAteer
Gareth Taylor
John Thompson
Gavin Ward

Also, there were as many as six games were I didn't pick any moms, mostly because noone deserved one... :)

Anyway, my player of the season is IAN GOODSION. Well deserved!

Congratulations Ian!

Tranmere - Brentford 3-1 (3-1)

Prenton Park, 05.05.07
Att: 6 529

So, once again the season is over, it seems like yesterday I attended my first game of the season, but now my first full season following Rovers live is over. Wonder if I ever will have a seasonticket again...?
Anyway, Rovers finished 9th but finished with a convincing victory over already relegated Brentford. I have to say from christmas on Rovers haven't been comvincing at all and didn't deserve to be in the play offs, but it's always nice to finish the season on a high :) Rovers fielded a few youngsters and especially one of them, Craig Curran, had a good game. Just 17 years old and he managed a hattrick! That's nice... His first one was a real poachers goal. He received the ball from Zola 6-7 yards out with his back to the goal, he turned quickly and volleyed home. The second goal came just two minutes later and again Curran was credited the goal, although this time his shot from the edge of the area was deflected into the net. Rovers calmed down a bit after their second and let Brentford come into the game after many consecutive cornerkicks. On the third corner they managed to pull one back. That was only fair as Ian Goodison almost scored an own goal on the previous two corners (!) As Brentford thought they were in with a shot for a point, Rovers stroke again! This time a lovely goal by Curran as he lobbed the Bees goalie from the edge of the area. A good first half from Rovers and some good football. Second half didn't live up to the first, and it was very dull to be honest. I guess that reflects Rovers season. They have never managed to play good football for more than maximum of 45 minutes... That is one thing we have to improve on during the summer...
All in all, a good victory, and a much improved season compared to the last one, when we almost got relegated to the basement division... Next season we'll be up there, for certain!
MOM: Craig Curran! 17 years old and three goals!

Manchester City - Liverpool 0-0 (0-0)

City of Manchester Stadium, 14.04.07
Att: 45 883

What a brilliant stadium! I've been to Man U, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham, but no one can compare to this magnificent stadium. Simply a masterpiece of a buildingconstruction! For this game it was nearly a sell out, only a couple of thousands free seats, the seasons highest gate for City so far. It was just a brilliant day out. A norwegian mate of mine, Thomas, came over from Norway and we travelled together with my mate Phil on a glorious sunshine day to Manchester. Finally I could go to a game just enjoying the experience, and not be concerned about the result... We went through the turnstiles over an hour before kick off, and found out we were sat in the sunshine :) Couldn't be better...
Errr, maybe the match could have been better, cause the play the two teams produced was very dull, not much exitement there... But the experience and the day was so much better, so the game didn't ruin a thing for me. The best chance in the game went to the hometeam when they hit the crossbar with a shot from 18 yards out.
I might fancy to come again, cause - again - that was a magnificent stadium!!!
MOM: The sun! :)

Tranmere - Brighton 2-1 (0-1)

Prenton Park, 09.04.07
Att: 5 528

Nine points behind the play offs and 15 left to play for. This is probably too much too ask for Rovers, and they only have themselves to blame. But maybe we could finish the season on a high...
Against Brighton Rovers started quite good and nearly had a goal inside the first five minutes when Goodison headed narrowly wide after a corner. But after that Brighton came into the game, and they did get their noses infront after 11 minutes when Goodison unfortunately put the ball into his own net after a good cross from their left midfielder. Rovers didn't do anything special for the rest of the game, they did have some halfchances, but just couldn't find good finishes from their attacks. Brighton also had som decent efforts on target, but Ward was up for them.
After half time things didn't change very much. Ronnie Moore did for once make a reasonable quick change as he brought on Davies in stead of Ellison. It was a midfielders game as most of the play was to be seen in the middle of the park. On 74 minutes however, Moore made his second change, as Curran came on for Shuker to only his second appearance for Rovers. He scored with his first touch after he converted a brilliant cross from Sherriff into the back of the net. Now Rovers was the only team on the pitch, and chased the winner. That breakathrough finally came in injurytime as Greenacre was fouled inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. He stepped up himself and hit a low shot into the bottom corner. Quite amazingly, this was the first time this season Rovers have won after trailing a game...! About time we did a turnaround...
MOM: A close call between Chris Greenacre and Calvin Zola, but I go for the first...

Blackpool - Tranmere 3-2 (2-1)

Bloomfield Road, 07.04.07
Att: 8 091

After two loss in a row, this was a must win game, especially since Blackpool was 6th before ko. A very nice day with the sun shining from a clear blue sky, probably helped the Rovers supporters to take the short trip north. A following of just over 1000 is very good for Rovers. The game started very even for the first ten minutes with a few halfchances to both teams. But on ten minutes, out ever so reliable (not) goalie Gavin Ward, messed it up. He had the ball safe in his hands, and wanted to continue to play quickly. He tried to throw the ball to left back Tremarco, but managed to hit the back of a Blackpool player and he turned, and sent Blackpool one in front. Tranmere had a penalty cry turned down as former Rovers Michael Jackson had his arms all over Greenacre. Rovers found themselves level after nearly half an hour, as Stockdale put in a cross, and after a bit of a goalmouth scramble, Calvin Zola managed to score with an exellent effort! The Rovers defence and the referee were soon in the spotlight again as Blackpool went 2-1 up. Scrappy defending and a dodgy refereedecision allowed Hoolahan to race through and score.
Just after halftime Rovers equalized again. A shot by Zola was saved but he scored with his second chance to cap off an exellent display - again. Rovers continued to put pressure on the seasiders, but took a heavy blow after 55 minutes. John Mullin went into a challenge and received a straight red card, which you really can't say anything against. Jason McAteer though thought the player who went down acted and wanted to help him up again, and kicked him when he didn't go up. He also had a word with their manager, and in the end, received a red card... Now it was nine against eleven, or should I say twelwe, ig we caount the ref as well... Anyway, Rovers didn't stand a chance after that, they did defend very well, but the inevitable happened and Blackpool won 3-2 in the end. A very good performance, but Ward and McAteer did ruin our playoff chances with what they did today...
MOM: Calvin Zola.

Tranmere - Carlisle 0-2 (0-1)

Prenton Park, 30.03.07
Att: 7 289

Another awful performance by Rovers as Carlisle took all the points to be level with Rovers after the final whistle. Even though Rovers played dull football for the whole game, especially the second half, we created some good chances in the first half, but some incredibly good saves from their keeper and woeful finishing cost us the game. Carlisle went one nil up midway through the half, and never looked back. 2nd half was just awful. The only good thing from that performance was a good run out for Calvin Zola who got 18 minutes. Carlisle then scored their second to kill the game off...
MOM: Calvin Zola. Well done big man! The only player who can take some credit from this game.

Port Vale - Tranmere 2-3 (1-2)

Vale Park, 17.03.07
Att: 4 809

After our very poor performance against Swansea, it was very important to get a rsult away at Port Vale to still be in a ahout for a play off place. We started brilliantly as we're 1-0 up after three minutes. Shukers cross found Greenacre, and he headed Rovers to an early lead. Rovers could easily have been 2-0 up inside the first ten minutes, but the same man couldn't angle the shot efficiantly, resulting in the ball hitting the post. Half an hlur later Shuker stormed into the penalty area, was tripped and the ref pointed to the spot. From the other side of the pitch, it was a bit soft, I have to say... However, it's thankfully the refs decision, and Greenacre netted his 18th of the season. Just a minute later Vale were in the match again, as one of their midfielders took a shot from outside the area. It took a deflection and wrongfooted Gavin Ward. 1-2. It stayed like that until the 73rd minute when Port Vale managed to find an equalizer. I didn't see what happened, but it was a goalmouth scramble and i have also said Ward a bit to blame... However, he did a couple of good saves before that, so can't really blame him. Anyway, that's the fourth time this season Rovers have let a 2-goal lead slip up... So I think the majority of the fans just waited for the third to go in... That happened ten minuted later, but it was Rovers who scored! Brilliant, finally we managed to score the winner in an even game! And Ellison was the scorer, with a really good header from a Shuker cross!
MOM: Chris Shuker, was involved in all three goals.

Tranmere - Swansea 0-2 (0-1)

Prenton Park, 10.03.07
Att: 7 467

I could only watch the first half and the first 10 minutes of the second half because of a wedding later the same evening. And that was ok, cause worse football is hard to find. Just awful. The first goal was former Rovers-player Andy Robinson, probably the smallest player on the pitch, who headed home. Poor defending allowed that... Rovers couldn't produce anything, and as the second half started, everyone expected the performance to get much better, but only to find out that it continued as it had for the first 45 minutes. Lee Trundle took advantage of some more sloppy defending, and through on goal he didn't make any mistakes... And then I left... Outside the ground I heard a big cheers from the homecrowd. I thought they had pulled one back, only to find out that Trundle had been sent off... A very poor game of footy, and I was told that it was equally bad for the rest of the half... Season worse at home??
No MOM today!

Tranmere - Chesterfield 2-0 (1-0)

Prenton Park, 02.03.07
Att: 6 254

Rovers came out in a regurlar 4-4-2 formation again, after the embarassing first half against Cheltenham. And after the 3-1 defeat against Leyton Orient in the last game, we really needed three points in this. Friday night football at Prenton is good for several reasons; one is that we attract some footballfans from other places, such as Norway. As Liverpool played Man U the day after, it must have been about 50 norwegians at the game! And I got a mention in the programme :)
Anyway, the game started in a good tempo and Rovers thought they were in front after five minutes when Ellison cut inside from his left to score, but it was ruled out for offside. Both McLaren and Taylor could have done better with their chances and Allot for the guests shot wide from 25 yards. After 21 minuted Rovers was in front as Greenacre passed the ball to Mullin just outside the area. He ran into the box and smashed it past the goalie into the top corner from 12 yards out. Brilliant goal! Just before half-time, Shane Sherriff hit the post as Rovers tried to go in with a 2 goal decifit.
Just a couple of minutes into the second half, McAteer nearly gifted Chesterfield a goal, as he tried to backpass to Ward, but the ball was snapped up by Holmes, but Ward did brilliant to save low to his left. McAteer thought he had made up for his mistake later in the half as he smashed the ball into the net from outside the area after a clearance. But again, it was ruled out, this time for a foul by Taylor on one of the defenders.
It became 2-0 on 73 minutes when Shuker ran down the right, crossed a low and hard ball into the box, and found Greenacre completely free on the far post. Also a very good goal!
The last fifteen minutes didn't create any chances and it was a very deserved victory in the end, well done lads!
MOM: Paul McLaren.

Tranmere - Cheltenham 2-2 (0-2)

Prenton Park, 20.02.07
Att: 5 576

Ronnie Moore opted for continuing with the sucsessful 4-3-3 formation, which gave Rovers a 2-0 victory awat at Yeovil. However, Rovers never got going in this game, playing the new formation. The midfield were all over the place, and couldn't get a foot in as the poorly placed visitors bossed the game. Before half an hour was played we were 2-0 down, thanks to sloppy defending. Goalkeeper Ward didn't come for the first goal, as Lowe headed home, and the second goal was a mistake from the normally reliable Goodison. In his defence he did play with an injury... Another wasted oppurtunity to close the gap on the teams above us, everyone thought... But Rovers came out in the second half very different, and just within four minutes Shukes had got one back. He cut inside from his right, and his shot went in low to the keepers right. Tranmere continued to press and had several chances, but couldn't find a way back in the game - yet. As Rovers pressed and really went for the equalizer, Cheltenham hit us on the break several times. Poor finishing and a good Ward held us in the game, and in the end that was very important. As the clock ticked into extratime, substitute Calvin Zola won the ball out of nothing on the leftside, beat a couple of players, and crossed a low cross towards the nearpost. Greenacre had done brilliant to get loose from his marker and headed home for a well deserved point for Rovers. Before the game I would have been disappointed with a point, but as the game went on, I was happy with one. Well done lads, in the second half!
MOM: Chris Shuker

Manchester United - Reading 1-1 (1-0)

Old Trafford, 17.02.07
Att: 70 608

My second time at OT. and this time 5th round of the FA-cup. Reading came to United and played some good football. I was impressed with them. Reading and De La Cruz should have really scored in the forst half as he raced through the United box, but his shot hit the side netting. United on the other hand, had a goal disallowed as norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjær took advantage of some scrappy defending from Reading. As I saw it on telly later on, it was probably a wrong decision, but to be fair to the linesman, it was a difficult decision... United got their noses in front just before halftime, as Ronaldo raced across the field, passed the ball to Micheal Carrck whos shot went into the bottom corner from 20 yards out... A good goal!
2nd half United created very many chances, but Reading's goalie was outstanding. He saved brilliantly from Ronaldo and Larsson. Midway through the half Reading was awarded a corner, and icelandic defender Gunnarsson jumped the highest and headed home to 1-1. A very good header and United goalie Kuszczak had no chance whatsoever... Scholes, Evra and Larsson came off the bench 20 minutes form the end, but they couldn't help United as the tie ended 1-1. A difficult replay now awaits United at the Madejski Stadium.
MOM: Federici, Reading's goalkeeper.

Tranmere - Doncaster 1-0 (1-0)

Prenton Park, 10.02.07
Att: 5 965

After some very poor results lately, Rovers finally ended their run without a victory as fellow play-off contendors Doncaster were defeated at PP. Ronnie Moore had finally understood that Gavin Ward had to be dropped for legend Johnny Achto! Another change was that Jason McAteer also played from start after a long injury layoff.
Tranmere were in front just after six minuted when McLaren played in a free kick into the box. Gareth Taylor won the header and headed it into Greenacres path. He cooly placed the ball in the bottom corner with a neat header. Chris Shuker was lucky that he stayed on the pitch after a horrendous tackle on former Rovers Sean Thornton. The first half didn't see many chances as Rovers and McAteer dominated the game. 2nd half followed in the same path as the 1st. Rovers had the most posession and putplayed their visitors, especially in the midfield were Jase was magnificent. Achto had one good save to make all game and was very confident when called into play. Good to see! In the end, Carl Tremarco almost scored Rovers' 2nd of the day, but a good save from their goalie hindered that. All in all a good game, and I am a bit more positive after recent results!
MOM: Jason McAteer! He just showed his class today!

Oldham - Tranmere 1-0 (0-0)

Boundary Park, 03.02.07
Att: 6 944

As this is written many days after, I can't remember everything....
Good turn out from the travelling SWA and some incredible good pre match atmosphere. We defended well in the first half and had some chances, but we didn't take them. Oldham played some neat football. A very even 1st half ended goalless and as the 2nd half went on, it seemed certain that it would be one of those 0-0 games... But in the end Oldham had a shot that hit the woodwork, and than just a minute later, in the 92nd minute.... Gavin Ward makes a VERY big mistake that cost Rovers a point... It's time to change your goalie Ronnie Moore!
What was the most cool during this afternoon was that injured Ian Goodison suddenly stood behind us in the awaystand. He saw the game with the supporters! Now, would that happen in the Premier League??