Attendance: 6,446

            Referee - Mr Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)

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When your goalkeeper scores a freak goal from 70 or more yards you sometimes get a feeling that today might be your teams day and from the eighth minute of this game, that was how most Rovers fans will have been feeling as Gavin Ward’s long range punt up-field bounced over the stranded Orient goalkeeper to set Rovers on the way to 3-0 home win that moved them into second position in League One.

Ward’s goal was followed up by a brace from Chris Greenacre that sealed the win but in fairness Rovers could have had more in the opening twenty minutes with two penalty shouts amongst a number of chances for the home side.

Ronnie Moore once again kept the same side that won 2-0 at Chesterfield last week with Gareth Taylor fit to start after picking up a knock in that game last week.  Steve Davies also recovered from an injury to join Jason McAteer, Steven Jennings, John Achterberg and Carl Tremarco on the bench.

The home side had the best of the opening few minutes with Chris Shuker having two early chances at goal, both of which went wide of the target but after just nine minutes, Rovers took the lead in the most unbelievable and unlikely of circumstances.

A free-kick awarded to Rovers on the corner of their own penalty area was booted forward by goalkeeper Gavin Ward and as it seemed to move in the wind, it bounced over Morris in the Orient goal and into the net to the surprise of Ward himself.  The fact that the keeper had touched the ball on its way into the net meant that the goal stood despite the free-kick originally being indirect.

Despite the fortunate nature of the opening goal, Rovers had just about deserved it after their early pressure and just two minutes after Ward’s opener, the Orient defence were undone again as Rovers doubled their lead and Ward was again involved.

After his goal just minutes earlier, the Rovers fans were yelling for Ward to have another shot from his own area but this time his clearance found Chris Shuker on the edge of the Orient area.  Although Shuker lost possession momentarily, the ball fell to him again and he ran to the touchline before turning the ball back into the path of Chris Greenacre who finished with ease into the corner of the net to make it 2-0 after just 12 minutes.

Rovers continued to pressure the visitors with Shuker at the heart of their chances.  The little winger lobbed onto the top of the net just after Rovers second goal and then a few minutes later found himself one on one with Morris but agonisingly he shot wide of the left hand post.

Chris Greenacre went down twice inside the penalty area in quick succession with the second incident at least looking like a clear-cut penalty but on both occasions the referee was having none if it.

As the first half wore on, the visitors came into the game and on 25 minutes, Gavin Ward ensured that he became the hero at both ends of the pitch when he saved one handed from a free-kick that had been awarded to Orient on the edge of the Rovers penalty area.

Despite that chance, Rovers remained on top for the remainder of the first half with Shuker, Ellison and Greenacre looking lively in attack and Goodison looking his usual calm and composed self at the back.  Some good approach play almost set up Greenacre for his second goal just before half time but Morris was able to save. 

The lively Kevin Ellison also forced a save out of the keeper just before half-time but Rovers went into the break with a two goal lead that they thoroughly deserved.

Two minutes into the second period, Greenacre’s header looped over the goalkeeper and was heading wide until Gareth Taylor flashed the ball back across goal but unfortunately no-one was there in the middle to meet it.

Gary Alexander wasted a great chance to bring the visitors level when he shot poorly into the side netting when it looked easier to beat Ward.

Ward ensured Rovers kept a clean sheet when he saved one-handed at point blank range and later on tipped the ball around the post in expert fashion.  At the other end, Chris Greeenacre had a great chance but was unlucky to see his shot hit the post for the second home game in a row.

Jason McAteer replaced the ineffective Paul McLaren on 76 minutes and just three minutes later, the player-coach helped Rovers to a third goal that finally killed off Orient’s hope of a comeback.

McAteer played a superb high ball out to Kevin Ellison on the left and he ran clear and cut the ball back to Chris Greenacre whose first time shot hit the post but bounced back for him to finish at the second attempt with Chris Shuker about to pounce for his first Rovers goal.

Shuker and Taylor both had chances late on whilst Alexander headed over from close range with two minutes to go to ensure a comfortable win for Rovers who moved up to second in the League prior to next Friday’s home game against Bristol City.

Man of the Match

Chris Shuker – Gavin Ward, Ian Goodison and Chris Greenacre could easily have scooped this weeks award but for the first time, Chris Shuker really looked the business on the right wing for Rovers with a lively performance.

Gaffer’s Verdict

(Ronnie Moore Speaks to Tranmere’s Official Website)

"We had enough chances to wrap the game up in the first 20 minutes.  It got a little bit bitty in the second half, the lads moaned that the wind wasn't right. But I'm pleased overall, it's another clean sheet and another three goals.  If anything, it could have been six.”

"We had enough of the ball late on to really put the knife in and kill them off.  We've got to learn how to kill teams off.  Although we're not firing on all cylinders, we look like we know what we're doing at times.”

"Gavin had been complaining in the dressing room before the game that we don't celebrate enough when we score.  You just can't believe it was him who got the ball.  It was unfortunate for their keeper but it was nice for us that it went in.  Another three of them would go down well with me!”

"Shukes was on fire for the first 25 minutes and caused them all sorts of problems.  How he missed when he was through, only he'll know.  You can pull your hair out with him, or love him.  He's certainly a crowd pleaser.”

"I think we thought we were comfortable at 2-0, but I wasn't comfortable in the dugout.  They had one or two chances that on another day might have gone in.  But we've got to be pleased."

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