Tranmere R 0 - 1 Oldham A

                                                   Reuben Hazell 35

Attendance - 6,802

Reuben Hazell scored on his return to Prenton park as Oldham edged out this tight encounter. Rovers had a goal chalked off as their recent poor form against Oldham continues.  Rovers have now lost their last four games against their local rivals.

There were two changes to the team that beat Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night as Ben Chorley and Gareth Edds returned in place of Luke Waterfall and George O'Callaghan with Antony Kay pushing up into midfield once more.

The team was as follows:

Coyne

Edds, Shotton, Chorley , Taylor

Shuker, Kay, Jennings , Sonko

Savage, Curran

The game started at a fiery tempo with Rovers looking the brighter, having lots of possession and being fouled in the process.  The referee tried to cool the feisty atmosphere, but the ref himself turned out to be very card happy.

Antony Kay had the first real chance hitting a dipping volley goalwards and Crossley gathered at the second attempt.

It probably should have been 1-0 on 13 minutes as Taylor's corner was met by a Kay volley and if it hadn't have been on his left foot it would have most probably gone in instead of going just over.

On 18 minutes Davies had a sight of goal for Oldham but after being pressured by Ryan Shotton his effort was saved by Coyne with the feet.

Bas Savage then had a long range drive punched away by Crossley as the big striker who had died his hair blue was clearly brimming with confidence.

But on 35 minutes the visitors took the lead against the run of play.  Oldham hit a poor free kick straight at the Rovers wall but the ball fell nicely to Eardley who whipped in a cross and the unmarked Reuben Hazell who's header was parried onto the post and in by Coyne, it was nice to see that he didn't celebrate as a mark of respect to his former club.

Another stroke of luck nearly doubled Oldham 's lead as Coyne's clearance was hoofed back goalwards, but the shot landed on the roof of the net.

The Oldham manager John Sheridan was then sent to the stands after arguing over a referee's decision before Craig Curran then had a good chance to equalise a knock down from Savage fell nicely to him but his volley was well blocked by Gregan.

Savage again created a chance this time for Shuker, the winger met Savage's cross but his weak right footed effort was easily saved by Crossley.

Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 0 - 1 Oldham Athletic

In the 51^st minute Andy Liddell's cross drifted goalwards but Coyne parried it onto the bar and Chris Taylor missed a golden chance with his effort being cleared off the line by Edds.

Andy Taylor then curled a free kick over and Kay then headed over from a Taylor corner. Ronnie Moore then made a double change bringing on Chris Greenacre and Ian Moore [to the disapproval of the Oldham fans] in place of Craig Curran and Chris Shuker.

Sonko then produced a terrific swivel and shot with his right foot only for it to be kept out by an equally superb save by Crossley.

The scores appeared to be level with 15 minutes left as Steve Jennings bundled the ball over the line after good play from Bas Savage, the ref gave the goal and the celebrations began only for the ref to notice that the linesman's flag was up and he disallowed the goal. This angered Rovers players, staff and fans.

Chris Taylor then shot wide twice for Oldham and Sonko had a half chance for Rovers cleared as the game ended in a frustrating way for the Rovers fans.

Overall it wasn't a bad performance just frustrating to get beat by our rivals, but there are plenty of positives to take out of the game.

Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 0 - 1 Oldham Athletic

Ryan Shotton

Shotton was calm and solid at the back didn't give the strikers and chance, and didn't panic under pressure.  He was always in control and did the simple thing.  Danny Coyne and Ben Chorley also had great games for Rovers.

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