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Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Port Vale Match Report
By Mark Ridgway March 21 2008
In the end it was another three points for Rovers on Thursday night at Prenton Park at the expense of bottom side Port Vale but it was never an easy game for Ronnie Moore's men. Chris Greenacre scored and missed a penalty whilst Ian Moore made the game safe late on. The awful weather effected the game so Ronnie Moore will just be happy to have the three points.
 
TOTAL TRANMERE – Match Report

Tranmere R 2 - 0 Port Vale

Attendance: 6,484

Match Referee: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire)

 
By Mark Ridgway

CLICK HERE FOR FULL MATCH STATS AND INFORMATION

In the end it was another three points for Rovers on Thursday night at Prenton Park at the expense of bottom side Port Vale but it wasn't as easy as some people may have expected it to be.

Chris Greenacre scored and missed a penalty whilst Ian Moore made the game safe late on.  The awful weather effected the game so Ronnie Moore will just be happy to have the three points to add to the season's tally.

As the wind and rain swirled round Prenton Park it was hard for the teams to create clear cut chances,  Ben Chorley headed at the keeper from a corner and at the other end, Luke Rodgers hit his free kick over the bar.

Danny Howland shot over from 25 yards for the visitors before Rovers looked like they had taken the lead at the other end when Greenacre did well out wide and crossed for Ian Moore whose shot was cleared of the line before McLaren sent the rebound wide.

Greenacre blasted a shot at George Pilkington and then an Andy Taylor run, followed by a one-two with Ian Moore nearly paid off for the home side but there was ultimately no breakthrough and the half deservedly ended goalless.

Half Time : Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Port Vale

The first attack of the half was a Greenacre shot that looped high into the air and eventualy dipped goalwards and forced Anyon into a decent save.

The fans tried to get behind the team and it appeared to help the players raise their game.

Shane Sherriff headed a McLaren free kick at Anyon before Chris Shuker was replaced by Jennison Myrie-Williams on the hour mark.

Just after the hour Greenacre and Moore worked well inside the box as the ball fell to Moore but he left it for Robbie Stockdale who burst forward and had his effort tipped behind by Anyon.

Greenacre then tested Anyon again and Myrie-Williams fired over.  Surely this was a sign that a goal would come soon.

A defence splitting pass from Steve Jennings sent substitute Myrie-Williams clear and as the winger got into the area and cut back he was hauled down by Paul Edwards and with no hesitation from the referee, he pointed to the spot for a penalty to Tranmere.

Chris Greencre sent Anyon the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-0 to Rovers.

Andy Taylor then shot over for the home side whilst at the other end a misunderstanding in the Rovers defence caused Danny Coyne to rush off his line and clear to safety.

With about five minutes left, Myrie-Williams was again fouled in the area, this time by Jason Talbot and another penalty was given to Rovers but this time Greenacre shot down the middle and it struck Anyons legs and went over for a corner.

With two minutes left Rovers did make it 2-0 when Ian Moore cut in from the left and found the net from a tight angle to seal the all important win for Ronnie Moore's side.

Full Time : Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Port Vale

Match Snippets

Weather Report

Not all that cold but all in all the weather was dismal with driving rain before, during and after the match making conidtions on the pitch less than ideal.

Crowd

6,484 - Considering the short journey distance it was a disappointing away turnout and with the half-price friends and family offer perhaps a higher attendance may have been expected for this game.

Referee Watch

Russell Booth - Got both penalty decisions right for the home side and on the whole did very little wrong in the game. 8/10

Best Moment

The finish for the second goal by Ian Moore was the highlight of an otherwise poor encounter, particularly in the first half of the game.

Funniest Moment

From a personal point of view, the sight of Robbie Stockdale in the opposition penalty area but then hopelessly fluffing his big chance to score! - The bet is safe for yet another week

Tranmere Man of the Match

Robbie Stockdale - Robbie had a great game at the back and almost got on the score sheet at the other end too.

Opposition's Main Man

Joe Anyon - Hard to pick anyone who stood out for the opposition but for his penalty save and several other stops that kept the home side at bay. the Port Vale keeper gets this award.

Away Fans

Although it was an unusual Thursday night match, I expected more Vale fans to attend than actually did but they did get behind their team until Rovers scored their first goal at which point they went very quiet. 

Summary

Another unimpressive performance but another three vital points for Tranmere.  If this carries on there is no reason for the play-offs to be beyond us.

Entertainment Value

The first half was one of the worst 45 minutes of the season but the second period was much more entertaining and made up for the poor opening - 7/10

Atmosphere

The overall atmosphere inside the ground was pretty good with both sets of fans getting behind their team at certain points during the game - 6/10

www.total-tranmere.co.uk

  

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