Tranmere  1 - 0  Hartlepool U

Craig Curran 23

It was business as usual for Tranmere today as Craig Curran's first goal of the season was enough to see off a valiant Hartlepool United at Prenton Park. This victory was much needed after conceding five goals in our last two games and a win was crucial to get up and running in League One.

Many of the fans have queried the new 4-3-3 formation that Ronnie Moore has adopted for the new season and it seems even though the win was secured it will take some getting used to for both players and fans alike.

Today the three points were earned through sheer work ethic, determination and taking the chance when needed.  Though the attacking purpose is what we want, the defending was vital today as countless times last ditch blocking and tackling was needed to thwart the presence of the opposition front line.

The balance of the side looked more fluid and controlled than in previous games with the welcome return of Ian Goodison at centre back, allowing Antony Kay to play a more defensive midfield role which coincided with a clean sheet.

There were two main changes to the starting XI that lost to Grimsby in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night with Danny Coyne coming in for John Achterberg and Goodison sliding back into his usual defensive position.

Winger Chris Shuker and Gareth Edds were among the 16 squad for the first time this season meaning the promising hopefuls of Charlie Barnett, Luke Waterfall and Terry Gornell dropped out of the squad totally.

After being taken off with injury against Swindon last weekend, George O'Callaghan regained his place in a three man midfield.

The Starting XI against Hartlepool:

Danny Coyne

Godwin Antwi  Ian Goodison  Ben Chorley  Andy Taylor

George O'Callaghan  Antony Kay (c)  Steve Jennings

Edrissa Sonko  Craig Curran (GS) Ian Moore

The League Positions before today's play were:  

TRANMERE ROVERS: 23^rd        HARTLEPOOL UNITED: 1^st

The crowd were certainly fired up and the teams entered promoting the new ‘respect the game' rules with handshakes before the game.  Once the game got underway it was open for either side to put their mark on possession and tactical advantage with neither side willing to give much away.

With Sonko able to use his pace to create attacks on the right hand side and cross in, it was no surprise that he had the first shot of match, making a penetrating run into Hartlepool's final third, he hit it from 25 yards but the keeper Lee-Barrett, filling in for the regular Jan Butdz, comfortably had it within his grasp and smothered the ball underneath him easily.

Tranmere were trying to get their passing game going but found it hard in periods due to the sustained pressing of the Hartlepool team from front to back, not letting the Rovers have the time on the ball resulting in more mistakes.

Sonko was again at the heart of the next attack and like the first effort he had was a replica in the second only this time it took a deflection past the keeper's post not troubling him into any action.

Craig Curran - Goalscorer

The opening fifteen minutes proved to be a cagey encounter and it wasn't until George O'Callaghan's late burst through the defence did the visitors begin to have meaningful attacks of their own, the midfielder was at an awkward angle for any decent effort on goal, but still managed to test the keeper, being well saved by Lee Barratt who jumped high to his near post.

As the game progressed the space began to open up and this was decisive in the way the match winner came about.  On 23 minutes good build up play down the right hand side from Eddy Sonko who was creating damage for Hartlepool, laid the ball inside to Craig Curran who swivelled on a six pence and fired low into the Barratts right hand corner.

This sparked scenes of jubilation for young prodigy Curran who went off punching his fists in the air gleefully and smiling to the crowd.

From the re-start Curran seemed to be a man on a mission and was testing out the fragile right hand side cutting in and out and sniffing around for a quick second to possibly kill the game off. He was eventually fouled outside the area and got up to a rouse of applause from the home fans; they knew the effort he was putting in had got his team one foot hold on the game.  

From the resulting free kick the visitors set about on building a good attack themselves and nearly resulted in a quick leveller had it not been to the great thinking of Andy Taylor. 

The ex-Blackburn man has done no wrong since establishing himself in the side and with Ian Goodison and Ben Chorley being taken out of the game by a fabulous through ball from Joel Porter, Taylor slid in at the last with a perfectly executed tackle to deny James Brown the chance to fire past Danny Coyne with the goal gaping.

The defence were needed again shortly after when Hartlepool had a sustained period of about three minutes pressure, shooting but being constantly frustrated by Rovers players blocking the ball or forcing them out wide.

It eventually calmed down when Ben Chorley made a crucial block from Gary Liddell on 34 minutes, the strike hitting the post on the way past hitting Chorley. A brief scare at that, Tranmere responded with Ian Moore pouncing from 18 yards just four minutes later.

Coming towards the end of the first half and Hartlepool fancied a goal just to settle their own nerves and pile misery on the home side. Liddell and Porter were again at the forefront of the Pools attacks and should have equalised on 42 minutes.

Joel Porter has been singled out previously as one of their danger men and no one could keep tight marking to him, he found space on the edge of the area and picked another sumptuous pass out finding his partner Liddell who was through one on one with Danny Coyne. But the midfielder fluffed his opportunity choosing to hit it straight at Coyne who saved with his feet, a simple side foot either way producing a certain goal.

Up until half time Rovers lost composure as a unit and lost possession several times making stupid errors, causing hoof ball clearances.  Tranmere got to half time, the slender lead still intact but improvement was needed if they were to take all the points.

HALF TIME: TRANMERE ROVERS 1 - 0 HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Into the second half and Tranmere had the first promising chance, the rapid Eddy Sonko unfortunately didn't make enough contact with the ball after making a darting run in front of the centre back and Barratt gathered at his feet.

We continued to rampage forward and this was a good response to the end of the first half Ronnie obviously giving a good team talk.  The ever present O'Callaghan then had his second major chance of the game on 57 minutes but he fired high over the net the ball not dropping for him to hit a first time volley instead catching the ball when it was on its way back up.

Two minutes later Craig Curran thought he had doubled Rovers advantage when he was unmarked at the back post, being found by a raking cross from Andy Taylor who is fast becoming a valuable asset for Tranmere.

The fans were up again in delight but it was to be short lived as the linesman in the far corner had flagged early for the offside and Curran was denied his brace.  

During the next opportunity a somewhat comedy moment was to follow when Ian Goodison sent himself up into the box for an Andy Taylor free kick.  He found his team mate with precision only for Goodison to hit the side netting with his header.

Ian Moore Faced his Former Club at Prenton Park

His own momentum then took him over the advertising boards and into the cowshed stand where he was caught in the netting on the bottom row; he raced back onto the field in aid of the Hartlepool men going forward.

Rovers' work rate and effort was to be pushed right to the end as United tried to salvage a point which they probably would have took at the start of the season. Having hit seven though in their last two games and prematurely topping League One, they more than likely still fancied themselves to go on and take a smash and grab victory.

O'Callaghan and Sonko linked up well on 66 minutes, finding space and time which wasn't present much in the game.  Sonko drove forward with purpose and only for a great one handed save from Barratt did it stop Sonko grabbing a deserved goal, the shot dipping last minute when trying to find the top corner.

While Tranmere could not kill the game off, it left the door open to Hartlepool to find a way back in.  They could of taken full advantage on 68 minutes only for the resolute defending of Ian Goodison and the persistent Steve Jennings who blocked twice while five of the pools players queued up for a shot on Danny Coyne's goal, luckily though the ball was cleared away from danger.

Ronnie Moore decided to make a tactical change on 78 minutes George O'Callaghan was replaced with Bas Savage.  This meant Rovers reverted back to the traditional 4-4-2 formation, the two wide roles being played by Sonko and Moore. It was getting end to end, Steve Jennings being the next player to have a crack at goal on 81 minutes with the midfielders doing well to support the forwards and giving them valid service even at this late stage.

Hartlepool still managed to have a few chances with David Foley the fresh substitute nipping to the ball before Ian Goodison but failed to hit the target.

The final substitution of the match for Rovers came when Ian Moore, who had in all fairness put a great shift in for his team, running the channels and hassling defenders was brought off and on went Gareth Edds.  He quickly got into the flow of the game and saw us on his debut home to a much needed victory and three points on the board.

The away contingents were left with phrases of what if as they headed back up North. Overall a deserved win and one which will get the ball rolling.

FINAL SCORE: TRANMERE ROVERS 1 - 0 HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Edrissa Sonko

I'm going to give this to Edrissa Sonko who worked tirelessly and never gave up on anything.  When needed he got up and down running into the channels and always making options.

He looked interested and full of confidence and wanted the ball played to run onto so he could use his pace to cause damage. In a three lined attack he played a good role and created the assist for the eventual match winner, Craig Curran.

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