Tranmere 4 - 1 Northampton

  Bas Savage 35                          Gilligan 10

  Antony Kay 38

  Craig Curran 45+1

  Ian Moore 90+2

Carling cup heroes Northampton got a reality check as they were thumped 4-1 by Rovers at Prenton Park.  The visitors took and undeserved lead but goals from Savage, Kay, Curran & Moore completed the rout.

The only change to the line-up from last weeks defeat at Leicester City was that Chris Shuker started instead of George O'Callaghan and Rovers returned to the traditional 4-4-2 with Shuker and Sonko the wide men and Bas Savage and Craig Curran up front.

The Rovers line-up therefore looked like this...............

Coyne

Edds Chorley Goodison Taylor

Shuker Kay Jennings Sonko

Savage Curran

Since Northampton were promoted to League 1 two years ago Rovers hadn't beaten them at Prenton Park, on both occasions Rovers rescued a point late on so a more convincing performance was in order this time around.

The hosts started well early on as Sonko headed wide, then minutes later he shot at the side netting after Bas Savage's mis-hit shot fell to him.

Rovers had a lot of the ball but it was the visitors who took the lead completely against the run of play in the tenth minute.  Ian Goodison mis-judged his back pass and it didn't reach Danny Coyne, meaning that Ryan Gilligan nipped in and slotted it into the corner through Coyne's legs.

This kicked Rovers into action and Goodison nearly became the hero as he met an Antony Kay knock down and his effort hit the post and was then kept out by some brave goal keeping by Chris Dunn.

Antony Kay and Sonko then both had efforts on goal - surely the pressure would tell on this Northampton team?

Sonko, Savage and Jennings all had half chances but none of them could convert them and it stayed at 1-0. 

That was until the 35^th minute when Jason Crowe was caught in possession by Steve Jennings who then set Bas Savage clean through.  The striker slotted home and finally celebrated with his famous moonwalk.

Then just three minutes later the game was turned on its head as Gareth Edds squared for Antony Kay on the edge of the penalty area and his wonderful dipping volley into the top corner left Dunn rooted to the spot.

Andy Taylor then curled a free-kick just wide as Rovers started to take control.

Injury time came and Rovers got the third when Chris Shuker put his corner onto the head of Antony Kay who powered his header onto the bar only for Craig Curran to convert the re-bound.

Half-Time: Tranmere 3-1 Northampton

Just after the re-start Rovers carried on their impressive football as Savage found Curran who volleyed just over.  Sonko then shot over on 55 minutes.

Bas Savage was impressing with his constant running and ball winning, he was setting up chances with pure hard work and strength.  He's not bad with his feet either as we saw him skip past his man and cross for Curran who was beaten to the ball by the defender.

Rovers could have had a penalty as Kay was brought down but it looked soft and the ref waved away the appeals.

Ian Moore then replaced Chris Shuker and Chris Greenacre replaced Craig Curran even later in the game.

The two subs combined perfectly in injury time as Chris Greenacre broke down the right and put a perfect through ball to Ian Moore who slotted home from 16 yards and the rout was complete.

The game ended 4-1 and the football on show was top quality from Rovers, the loyal fans who were there were treated to a great performance and result.  Well done Lads!

Bas Savage

Savage was immense and won nearly every ball in the air.  He seemed too strong for the visitor's defence, showed he is also good with his feet with useful runs and capped it off with a goal and a moonwalk.

Just to add that nobody had a bad game and the award could have easily gone to Taylor or Kay to name just two.

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