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??

Tranmere - Bradford 1-1 (1-1)

Prenton Park, 19.01.07
Att: 6 567

The first Friday night fixture of 2007 ended in a draw, which was probably fair to be honest. But I think Rovers should have won it both from play and tablewise...
Greenacre was named on the bench again, but is returning to full fitness. Zola carried on playing very well, and like the Tuesday-game, he created Rovers' goal. He opened up the Bradford defence with a low cross for Davies who again slotted it in for Taylor to score his 2nd goal in four days. Bradford's striker Jarmaine Johnson looked a very good player indeed and he alone was the architect behind every Bantamattack. Unsurprisingly he created their goal just after the halfour mark as he skipped past Sherriff and played the ball back from the deadline and Schumacher did everything correct from the penaltyspot. 1-1. It wasn't very many chances in the rest of the match, but John Mullin really should have made it 2-1, only for their keeper, Ricketts, to pull off a magnificent save. Mullin got onto a cross from Shuker 4 yards from the goalline, but it wasn't to be, as both sides looked quite happy with a point each in the end...
MOM: Ian Goodison, again. Hadn't it been for him, Jarmaine Johnson would have gone mad with our defence... :)

Tranmere - Crewe Alex 1-0 (1-0)

Prenton Park, 16.01.07
Att: 5 708

As we lost 3-2 down at Bristol in the last league game I wasn't very convinced about this game, especially when the league's best striker-partnership in Maynard and Varney were up against us. But they stayed very calm all night, or it is probably better to state it this way; Rovers' defence were absolute brilliant, especially Goodison as he completely controlled both of them, especially Maynard. Greenacre was on the bench after he caught the flu over the weekend. Zola replaced him and put in a very good performance.
On to the game, Rovers started much better than recent homegames and should have taken the lead twice in the first quarter of an hour. First Sherriff volleyed over after a corner and than Taylors header was brilliantly saved by their keeper. Rovers eventually took the lead on 19 minutes as Zola chased down a Crewe defender and got a touch on the ball. It found it's way to Taylor who held a defender away and rounded the goalie to 1-0! Both teams could have scored before half-time as Taylor, Shuker for Rovers and Maynard for Crewe had some decent chances. 2nd half was not as good as the first, but some nice play from both teams made it to a good night out. Davies was very unlucky not to score as he hit the top of the crossbar with a good header just ten mins from time.
All in all a good performance from Rovers.
MOM: The one and only, Ian Goodison.

Tranmere - Northampton 1-1 (0-1)

Prenton Park, 06.01.07
Att: 6 089

An awful performance from Rovers ended in a lucky point as John Mullin equalized from the penalty spot. Northampton scored after just 10 minutes after a goalmouth scramble, and Rovers never recovered from it. The visitors didn't play particularely well either, but they were far better than Rovers in the final third. Rovers probably most of the posession, but were afraid when they saw the 18-yard line.. Nothing more to write from the game really. Worst performance of the year, and they really have to fire themselves up for the visit to Bristol City were we haven't scored since we got relegated five years ago! Now is the time...
MOM: Nobody

Tranmere - Rotherham 2-1 (2-0)

Prenton Park, 01.01.07
Att: 6 675

2007 started very well for Rovers as they held on to a 2-1 victory to record their first win of the festive-period against the Millers. The game started very dull with both teams making a lot of mistakes, but Rovers seemed most interested in the three points as Sherriff hit the post after a deflection and Greenacre looped a header on top of the crossbar. On top of that was a disallowed goal by Shuker. Rovers finally took the lead just before half an hour, after a goalmouth scramble. Shane Sherriff hit a shot towards the bottom corner leaving the goalie no chance. Rovers continued to play well, and added a second just minutes before half-time with an exellent goal. Paul McLaren crossed a perfect ball from some yards off the edge of the area, which Gareth Taylor perfectly headed into the corner to 2-0.
After the interval Rovers opted to sit back (as they often do when winning) and let Rotherham come to them. The visitors had much more of the posession, but didn't create any real chances. That was until a freak shot by former Rovers-player Delroy Facey, sneaked under the bar just before the 70 mins mark. Rovers debut-goalie Joe Hart (which arrived on loan the same day as the match from Man City), should have done better, but the wind caught it and that didn't help him. He made an outstanding save later on as Chris McCready was clearing the ball. However he hit a Miller-player and the ball seemed to loop over Hart, but he saved it and helped Rovers to three points. Late on Taylor and McCready had a go at eachother after disagreeing about who to blame after a Rotherham-chance...
MOM: Ian Goodison, a steady performance from the defender!

Scunthorpe - Tranmere 1-1 (1-0)

Glanford Park, 05.12.06
Att: 4 572

A top of the table clash, and both team were desperate to bounce back from defeats in the 2nd round of the FA-cup as both teams lost at home to league two opposition. The game started with a good tempo, and Rovers were on top for most of the half. On of the most prolific strikers in the division, Billy Sharp of Scunthorpe, was marked completely out of the game by our brilliant Goodison. He won every single duell with the irish-man. there were very few clear chances in the first half, although the home-side took the lead just minutes before halftime, as Keogh fired the ball into the back of the net from three yards after a goalmouth scramble. Many Rovers fans said he was offside, but I didn't complain, it was very tight, and difficult for the linesman (who had some very dodge decisions later in the game, I have to say). Rovers almost hit immidiatly back, but it wasn't to be. The 2nd half started very brightly for Rovers, as they kept pressuring Scunthorpe and they got their reward after 53 minutes as clubcaptain Shane Sherriff scored (not very differently from the first goal of the game). If I was a referee, I would have blown for a handball by the goalscorer, but really, I don't care :) We scored a vital goal! A few minuted later, they hit the inside of the post, as Rovers were lucky not to concede. Rovers dominated most of the 2nd half as well, but couldn't produce any big chances. Ellison almost curled the ball in from a freekick near the cornerflag and Stockdale fired over from 20 yards as he had controlled the ball with his chest. A very good battling performance by Rovers, and a very vital and well deserved point! Well done lads, and well done Sherriff who celebrated with the fans after the final whistle! That is a real clubcaptain!!
MOM: Hail IAN GOODISON!! What a player! 34 years, and just signed for two more years!

Tranmere - Peterborough 1-2 (1-1)

Prenton Park, 02.12.06
Att: 6 308

Haven't been bothered writing this report, but I guess it's time to do so now... I was just sooo dissapointed after we lost this 2nd round FA-cup draw. I really wanted to see Tranmere play against a premierleague team, but it wasn't to be! Peterborough deservedly got through to the famous 3rd round, and will be playing..... Plymouth!!! I am almost lucky we didn't go through just to loose to the Pilgrims... :)
As this is some days ago, I don't remeber all the chances, and can't be bothered to have a look at other reports...
Rovers started ok, so did the Posh. It was an even game until Rovers and captain Sherriff scored with a header from a Shuker corner (?), and it seemed like we were comfortably heading towards the next round. Peterborough didn't create any clear chances until injurytime in the first half. One of their strikers sprinted towards the nearpost to tap the ball past Ward in the Rovers-goal to 1-1. The 2nd half was just AWFUL! We were 2nd best in everything. Passing, challenging, possession - everything... And 15 minutes from time they got the winner which they deserved. And Rovers were out of the world's famoust footballtournament...
MOM: John Thompson

Tranmere - Blackpool 2-0 (1-0)

Prenton Park, 24.11.06
Att: 8 247

Blackpool were unbeaten in 7 matches prior to this match. Personally I thought that we definitly could get three points, but just a point wouldn't surprised me... Thankfully my negative thoughts stopped haunting me after, eh.... 55 seconds :)
That was the time that Rovers needed to be in front. Shuker crossed the ball in form the right, it went straight through everyone, and to the left. There Steven Davies shot/crossed the ball back in, were it found Greenacre at the far post. He easily made i 1-0. The atmosphere was reallly good the next ten minutes as the Blackpool fans contributed very much. The rest of the half was not very good from a Rovers viewpoint. We played badly and couldn't get a foot in. Blackpool enjoyed most of the posession, but didn't manage to have a clear chance. I have to admit though, that they should had a penalty when Goodison tripped one of their strikers, but thankfully the referee had a different opinion...
The second half was very much an improvement, and Rovers controlled the game, had most of the posession, and were very confident. Blackpool tried to play some neat football, but it stopped when they saw the sight of goal. Tranmere secured the three points after some good work by Shuker and Greenacre. Shuker crossed in from the left, their goalie really should have held the ball, but didn't. Greenacre got the ball with his back to the goal, passed it to Davies, who shot the ball through some Blackpool-defenders and into the back of the net for his first goal of the season! Adrian Forbes nearly helped Rovers to score a third, as his cross into his own penalty area (!) caught the defence off-guard. Gareth Taylor twice had a shot, but both was blocked. All in all a very good performance, and we're 2nd in the league!!!
MOM: Ian Goodison, he is so confident!

Tranmere - Woking 4-2 (2-0)

Prenton Park, 11.11.06
Att: 4 591

FA Cup 1st round. And we are through to the 2nd round for the first time in three years, where Peterborough United will come and visit us at PP.
The game started off a bit nervously, but very soon Tranmere started to play some neat football. Gareth Taylor is really on fire at the moment and he scored our first from a corner-kick. He outjumped the opposing defender and nodded the ball into the far corner. Just before the corner, Rovers should have had a penalty as one of the Woking-defenders handled the ball. But justice was done when Taylor made it 1-0. Just a few minutes later it was 2-0. The Rovers attack suddenly exploded, as Davies got the ball down the right hand side. He went past his opposer, and charged down the flank, before he crossed a brilliant low cross into the path of Greenacre at the near post. He showed his poacherbrilliance to much delight of the PP faithful. Half-time and we were in control. Almost immidiatly after the interval G Taylor made it 3-0, when he headed a low cross into the net, leaving the Woking-goalie no chance! Surely that put the game beyond Woking? Tranmere thought they could control the game for 43 minutes, but that wasn't to be. The wind, some bad defending and goalkeeping gave the non-league side a consolation-goal. Tranmere continued to try to control the game, and was punished again. A brilliant shot from outside the area flew past Ward, and it was game on! Woking did really well in this period, and Tranmere were awful, didn't put a tackle in, and to be fair, made it look easy to be a Woking-player... Ward really did well as he saved a low shot down to his left as he held Rovers in the game just minutes later... Thankfully Rovers understood the importance, and secured the victory with just a few minutes left on the clock when Greenacre scored his 2nd of the day (couldn't see the goal, as it was a goalmout scramble on the other side of the pitch...).
MOM: Gareth Taylor, has really found his form and showed what a very important player he is!

Tranmere - Millwall 3-1 (2-1)

Prenton Park, 03.11.06
Att: 7 114

After the amazingly poor performance on Tuesday, Tranmere woke up again tonight. After the first 5-10 minutes which were a bit nervous from both teams, Tranmere really set the pace of the game with some brilliant moves. They had a goal ruled out for offside after about 15 minutes when Sherriff really should have had a dig himself, instead of passing the ball to Taylor, which was offside. But just three minutes later Taylor did get his first goal at PP, after he headed in Shuker's brilliant cross at the far post. Rovers continued to press foreward and was rewarded with their second for the night, after Shuker's corner landed at McCready's feet. He managed to get the ball over the goalline, as he also scored his first goal at PP. Millwall had a couple of halfchances, and they got the important goal straight before halftime as one of their strikers chipped the ball past an onrushing Ward. The second half was also very good, Millwall had probably most of the posession, but they never had a real goalchance. Both Davies and Goodison made that sure as they hade som great tackles to hinder them to come one on one with Wardy. Straight before the end, the three points were secured as Shuker took advantage of a mistake by Shaw. He ran towards their goalie and cooly slotted the ball past him, and into the back of the net, to the PP faithfuls delight!!!
A very good game! And I have to say that there were very many norwegians at this game! How cool! :)
MOM: Chris Shuker! Finally used his skills as he should use them!

Tranmere - Darlington 0-1 (0-0)

Prenton Park, 31.10.06
Att: 2 036

Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round, northern section. What an awful game!!! And an awful referee, that is true. I normally never complain about the match officials, but I will make an exception for this match. He was just awful!!!
Tranmere didn't help themselves as they played very poorly on a cold and windy haloween night. I think they were scared of the children who knocked on their housedoors before they got to PP :)
They didn't deserve to win, but to be fair to them, they didn't deserve to loose either, but it happened. The referee gave Darlington a VERY soft penalt as he saw something that everyone else failed to see. Did you see Goodison push their striker? I did not, did you? No!
Anyway, we're out of the Mickey Mouse cup, and can now concentrate on the league, and that doesn't bother me!
MOM: John Achterberg, the only player too get out of the game with his head held high.

Tranmere - Bournemouth 1-0 (1-0)

Prenton Park, 28.10.06
Att: 6 076

Finally three points after we'd gone six games without a league-win! The game was not very exiting in the starting-minutes. The only thing that it was sufficient of, was bookings...! Anyway, Rovers seemed a bit more comfertable since the last home-game against Port Vale and had a oppurtunity on 20 mins, as Taylor hit the bar with a header. Chris McCready had an exellent chance later on as he headed the ball goalbounds after a corner. However, their goalie produced an even better save to deny Rovers. On 41 minutes Rovers did manage to break the deadlock as Kevin Ellison hit the back of the net. Shane Sherriff was the provider as he curled the ball in from the left and found Taylor who headed the ball back into Ellisons path. Just moments later Ellison could have made it two as he also headed the ball onto the bar.
After half-time Rovers continued to have the better chances as Taylor, Greenacre and Goodison all should have found the net. Taylors effort came after a good freekick manouver, but their keeper saved. Greenacre was very unlucky not to score as his brilliant overheadkick was brilliantly saved. And how Goodisons header from a corner did not cross the goalline is still beyond me. Bournemouth didn't have to many chances as Rovres looked quiet comfortable. It has to be said that the Cherriers probably is the weakest team that has vivited Prenton Park this season...
MOM: Paul McLaren, did ever so well in the middle of the park.

Chester City - Hartlepool 2-1 (1-1)

Saunders Honda Stadium, 20.10.06
Att: 2 580

Two mates of mine and I travelled down to Chester to see this game at the more known Deva Stadium. After finding our way into the ground, it started off in a perfect way for a neutral fan. Just after ten minutes, the a Chester defender backpassed the ball to his goalkeeper, which hitthe ball straight into a Hartlepool-player, and in the end, the ball was in the back of the net... Then, five mins later, Hartlepool was down to ten men after Jon Daly elbowed a Chester player. They did not however take advantage of the extra player, and played very poorly. They did manage to score straight before the interval though through Ashley Westwood, after a rebound-scramble...
After the break, the home-side were very much on top and deservedly got their reward when Jon Walters replied quickly after a very good save from the Hartlepool goalie. The visitors goalkeeper had a very good game, and Hartlepool can thank him for not conceding more goals...
MOM: Konstantopoulos, the Hartlepool goalkeeper.

Bury - Tranmere 0-2 (0-1)

Gigg Lane, 17.10.06
Att: 1 093

Johnstone's Paint Trophy, first round. Probably more known as LDV Vans Trophy... This cup has got a new sponsor, and hence, a new name... The format has changed a bit as well to try and get some more interest round the cup. If it's a draw after 90 minutes, the game goes straight to penalties, and every team has to field a minimum of six first-team regulars.
Tranmere travelled the short way to Bury to try and get the first win in six games. No doubt the confidence was boosted before out league-game away to Carlisle this Saturday after this win.
The first half was very dull. Bury had some half-chances, but never threatened John Achterberg, which played his first first-team game in nearly a year. Chris Shuker finally broke his duck, as he curled a freekick in from 20 yards out. Former Rovers-defender Dave Challinor handled the ball, and the free-kick resulted in 1-0 to the Rovers.
2nd half was better and more open as Bury searched for an equalizer. A couple of more half-chances and a very good shot, which Achto reacted well to was their threats. Rovers also produced many half-chances, and got a penalty-claim turned down, as one of their defenders clearly handled the ball. Substitute John Mullin should also have done better when he had the time to place the ball, however, he miskicked it.
Just before the final whistle, Kevin Ellison broke down the left, skipped past the last defender, and passed the ball to another sub, Steven Jennings. Himself and the ball slided over the goalline to make it 2-0! We will now meet Darlington at home in the next round.
MOM: Chris Greenacre. Worked his socks off with all the running, and creating chances for both himself and others.