Man of the Match

 

As Rovers fans arrived at Swansea’s New Stadium on Saturday, expectations were high that they could open the season with a win to set to them on the their way to hopefully a successful promotion campaign. 

 

However with their opponents just promoted and out to prove a point and also playing their first competitive game in a new stadium it was never going to be easy and within a few minutes of the start and with Ian Goodison still playing at left-back, it became clear that it was going to be a hard day for Rovers.

 

This proved to be the case in the end as Rovers disappointing away form of recent years, particularly in the early stages of the season, once again proved to be their downfall as they fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to a scrappy 29^th minute goal from Swansea’s new signing Adebayo Akinfenwa.  The game also saw two saved penalties as Tranmere failed to get out of the blocks in the first half.

 

Rover’s Manager Brian Little named an interesting and somewhat confusing line-up as Calvin Zola started the game upfront with Chris Greenacre in preference to Iain Hume who had to settle for a place on the bench.  Sam Aiston made his full debut for Rovers on the right hand side of midfield.  Despite missing the whole of pre-season due to Visa problems, Jamaican Theo Whitmore got a place on the bench.

 

Swansea Manager Kenny Jackett included two of his new signings in the starting eleven with Adebayo Akinfenwa partnering Lee Trundle upfront and Marc Goodfellow also making his debut.

 

The start was nothing short of frantic and with the home side buoyed by an electric atmosphere they created two early chances when Akinfenwa fired wide of goal from a good position after just a few seconds and then Paul Linwood cleared a Lee Trundle shot away when it looked goalbound.

 

Tranmere had a chance themselves when excellent work down the right from Paul Linwood saw the ball fall to Sam Aiston.  Aiston whipped the ball across the danger zone and when it was cleared as far as McAteer, he found Roberts whose powerful left-footed drive sailed wide of goal.

 

Rovers seemed to be struggling in certain areas of the field however and although the right side looked solid through Linwood and Aiston, Ian Goodison again seemed to be struggling in the left-back role as the visitors frustrated their travelling support more and more by resorting to long balls forward instead of playing football.

 

In spite of this Rovers were still very much in the game and it was somewhat harsh that they went behind just before the half-hour mark.  Lee Trundle received the ball on the right hand side of the Tranmere area and crossed a high and dangerous ball into the box where Adebayo Akinfenwa outjumped Paul Linwood to head home and deal Rovers a killer blow as the New Stadium erupted.

 

After Zola had fired over from a pass by Gareth Roberts, the Congolese striker won his side a penalty in the 39^th minute after a daring run at the Swans defence was ended when Sam Ricketts tripped him in the penalty area.  Captain Jason McAteer took up the responsibility of the kick which was saved to the goalkeeper’s right hand side as Rovers failed to take advantage.

 

Buoyed by the boost of Tranmere’s missed penalty, Swansea pushed forward and had a chance when Marc Goodfellow spotted John Achterberg off his line and tried a lob which sailed over the crossbar,

 

The first half drama did not end there though as just a minute later Lee Trundle seemed to go over far too easily in the penalty area as Paul Linwood challenged and the referee Mr. Probert awarded the second penalty of the game.

 

Right in front of the visiting Rovers fans, Trundle’s penalty was somewhat weak and Achterberg, having dived the right way was able to save easily to the delight of the Rovers fans.

 

Rovers began the second half in blistering fashion as Swansea came under a wave of attacks just after the break.  Unfortunately though, despite dominating the possession Rovers were often wasteful in front of goal or simply afraid to shoot.  Calvin Zola was put in a shooting position by Rankine but instead of shooting he opted to pass to Sam Aiston whose shot was blocked and cleared to safety.

 

Just a few minutes later, Mark Rankine had an effort cleared of the line after good work on the right by Sam Aiston.  A couple of good chances fell to Chris Greenacre including a chance where he just failed to get a touch on a cross from Linwood.

 

On the hour, Brian Little opted for the normally unprecedented step of a triple substitution as Rovers looked to get back in the game.  Harrison, Hume and Jennings replaced Goodison, Rankine and Aiston as Gareth Roberts reverted to left-back with Hume playing a wide role on the left.

 

The introduction of Hume saw Rovers looking a little more threatening in front of goal but the final ball was still lacking.  Hume had a couple of chances but they weren’t made to count as Rovers continued to dominate.

 

Rovers did have a scare in the 87^th minute when Lee Trundle went round John Achterberg but his shot was weak enough for Linwood to run back and clear off the line.  Rovers had a few more chances but could not break through, leaving Swansea fans to celebrate a win in their first competitive game in their new Stadium.

 

Rovers will now look to bounce back with two home wins in the next six days against Blackpool on Tuesday (9^th) and Oldham on Friday (12^th).

 

 

 

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