Bournemouth 2 - 1 Tranmere

Attendance: 4,118

Match Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands)

Ian Goodison's last visit to Dean Court won't have brought back happy memories for him on this occasion after he saw red in the 2-0 defeat last season and yet again this year, the game will stick in his mind for the wrong reasons.

The Rovers captain scored an own goal after just 35 seconds before Bournemouth added a second before half time to make life even more difficult for Rovers.  Antony Kay pulled one back for the visitors with a couple of minutes left, but Rovers lost on the road in a game which they should probably have won and probably needed to if they were to maintain their chances of an end of season play-off place.

Ronnie Moore made just one change to the side that defeated Port Vale 2-0 last Thursday with the clearly still unfit Chris Shuker replaced on the right wing by Jennison Myrie-Williams as Rovers looked to make it three wins on the spin against another struggling team.
 
However, the game couldn't have started any worse for Tranmere as they were one down inside the first minute when Max-Alain Gradel whipped in a cross and Ian Goodison diverted it past Danny Coyne and into his own net.

With the rain pouring down Bournemouth were controlling the game and Rovers didn't get near the hosts' goal until the 16th minute and even then Ian Moore was unable to connect with Paul McLaren's delivery before a couple of minutes later Andy Taylor crossed for Ben Chorley to head at David Forde.

On 33 minutes Rovers failed to deal with a corner and Jo Kuffour netted from close range to double Bournemouth's lead, which they kept at two until the half-time break.

HALF-TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 2 - 0 TRANMERE ROVERS

Early on in the second half Steve Jennings wasted a good chance for Rovers, shooting over after being well found by Shane Sherriff.

Andy Taylor then volleyed wide after a Rovers free kick had initially been blocked by the home side's defensive wall.

Both Keepers then excelled within minutes of each other around the hour mark as firstly Coyne denied Pearce with a superb save and then at the other end Ian Moore's header was kept out by a good save from Forde.

As Rovers looked unlikely to get back into the game, the substitutions began as Calvin Zola replaced Jennison Myrie-Williams and shortly afterwards Antony Kay came on for Steve Jennings.

The ever troublesome Gradel, who had run Andy Taylor ragged throughout the game then forced Coyne into another smart save and at the other end Ian Moore shot over from a tight angle.

With four minutes left Rovers got one back as Antony Kay headed in a Paul McLaren set piece yet again at the back post.

As four minutes of added time was displayed, there was hope for the visitors and they now had the momentum as they pushed on for a second.  They nearly got it as Bournemouth had to survive a goal-mouth scramble which included Calvin Zola getting an effort on goal.

The home side held on and Tranmere had to make the long journey home empty handed.

FULL-TIME: BOURNEMOUTH 2 - 0 TRANMERE ROVERS

Weather Report

Pretty much the same as the weather had been all week really - it was soaking wet one minute and then bright sunshine the next but it certainly wasn't warm and to remove my coat in the opening five minutes was a mistake and it was soon back on.

Crowd

4,118 were inside Dean Court for this game with a good few hundred Rover's fans enjoying what they thought might just be another important win.

Referee Watch

Andy Hall (West Midlands) - Another very good referee who I don't recall being abused once by the Rovers fans despite the early 2-0 defeat (even by referee abusing man) so he clearly had a decent game - 8/10

Best Moment

Antony Kay's goal was the only moment in the match itself that we had to shout about but just a word for some of the Rovers Players afterwards as they boarded the Team Coach.  Some of them took the time to shake us by the hand and thank us for turning out as well as seemingly genuinely sorry that they hadn't won the game and knew they had underperformed - that left us feeling a little bit better as we headed for the train.

Funniest Moment

Bournemouth's most famous fan, Gandalf was once again there before the game but the red lycra/wig man outside the Ground also provided some comedy value before the game.

Tranmere Man of the Match

Ben Chorley - Much criticised recently since his return to the team, Chorley was immense at the back yesterday and even did well for the second goal, initially heading the ball well clear from the corner before Rovers allowed the ball to return straight back.  Good performances too from Robbie Stockdale and Danny Coyne as well as all three substitutes.

Opposition's Main Man

Max Alain-Gradel - Crossed the ball in for killer opening own goal after just 38 seconds and the ran Andy Taylor ragged in the first half as Bournemouth seemed content to hoof balls up to him and rightly so as he did the damage.

Connections

No connections this week between the two sides as Rovers boasted no ex-Cherries in their matchday squad and vice-versa.

Rovers Fans

Despite being down early on and it then getting worse, the singers at the back led the Rovers fans in getting behind the team throughout and although there were rightly moans and groans at times, we did get behind the team and could be well heard by a Total Tranmere user sitting in the Boxes on the opposite side of the pitch!

Summary

After one early goal it was already going to be difficult but failure to defend a corner yet again made the job even harder.  Although they gave it a good go in the last 15 minutes it was too little too late and possibly a costly blow to any play-off hopes.

Entertainment Value

The game was low on goalmouth chances and at times scrappy. It did have its moments but was certainly not a classic - 6/10

Atmosphere

As mentioned above, the Rovers fans were loud for most of the game and being in the same Stand as some of the home fans made for a bit of banter that always helps the atmosphere at games like these.  The home fans were mostly quiet, or sounded so from the away end - 6/10

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