Tranmere Rovers
Mixed Fortunes for Rovers Over Dramatic New Year
By Mark Ridgway
January 5 2011
After a mixed start to 2011 so far for Rovers, Mark Ridgway takes a look back at Rovers' first two games of the year earlier this week starting with the 3-2 away defeat at Rochdale followed by the 2-1 home win over Carlisle United.....
Rovers' opening games of 2011 against Rochdale and Carlisle weren’t short of drama, with five penalties, eight goals and plenty of late twists.
The trip to Rochdale away ended in defeat thanks to some dubious refereeing decisions as ten-man Rovers put in the effort but fell short by a 3-2 scoreline. However just two days later it was Rovers celebrating after a well earned 2-1 victory over Carlisle.
After a good backing at Rochdale the game kicked into life when Marlon Broomes hauled down Chris O’Grady in the area, with the referee harshly sending the centre back for an early bath. Gary Jones gave the hosts the lead from the spot, however Rovers showed the commitment to respond, after Showunmi and Ellford-Alliyu failed to convert, Enoch squared to Joss Labadie who stabbed home an equaliser.
However the joy was short lived when a neat moved down the right allowed Gary Jones to slide in his second and put Dale 2-1 up at the break.
The second half saw Rovers dominate for long periods as Scott Wootton hit the bar and Ian Thomas-Moore and Dale Jennings both squandered good chances before Labadie was knocked over in the box with ten minutes left. Ian Thomas-Moore converted from the spot, and then proceeding by celebrating passionately in front of the strong Rovers following.
Again that lead was short lived though as slack defending from a corner allowed Bobby Grant to power in the winner, and finally end Rovers spirited efforts.
Final Score: Rochdale 3 - 2 Tranmere Rovers
Joss Labadie
The returning midfielder was everywhere, battling out in the midfield with one left man in there him and John Welsh held the fort superbly. Great finish for the goal, and earned the penalty, even if it was a little soft.
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Two days later and Carlisle visited Prenton Park, for what would turn out to be an equally dramatic bank holiday tie. Tim Cathalina got the ball rolling with an inexplicable hand ball that gifted the visitors a penalty which Peter Murphy then blasted over the bar letting Rovers off the hook.
Five minutes before half time and the home support were rubbing their eyes in disbelief, a cross wasn’t properly cleared by Carlisle and Ian Goodison blasted in an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 Tranmere.
After the break Rovers had two big opportunities to increase the lead, firstly Labadie was brought down in the area after a neat corner but Ian Thomas-Moore’s penalty was saved by Collin, only his second ever penalty miss, the other was saved by the same man back in November.
Soon after and Lateef Elford-Aliyu was brought down in the box, this time Aaron Cresswell blasted the ball against the post, letting Carlisle off the hook again!
The visitors capitalised on Rovers inability to kill the game off twelve minutes from time when Goodison failed to clear allowing James Berrett to slot in the equaliser. However Rovers did what Rochdale did to them two days earlier and hit back instantly, after good work from Enoch Showunmi down the left, his cross eventually found Ian Thomas-Moore bearing down on goal , the striker smashed in the winner, giving Collin no chance, making immense for his spot kick miss, and sealing the points for Rovers.
Ian Goodison
A great team performance, but the award has to go to Ian Goodison. The centre back dominated the defence as always, and kept things in shape, cracking goal and defended like a hero as usual. Despite his mistake he shaded it, ahead of Lateef, Cresswell, Welsh and pretty much the rest of the team.
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05/01/2011 13:11
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