Tranmere Rovers
Rovers Come From Behind to Draw
Team Lines Up
By Mark Ridgway
January 5 2008
Goals from Steve Jennings and Gareth Taylor earnt Rovers a replay at Edgar Street. After being behind twice super sub Mike Jones came on and changed the game being involved in both equalisers. All the goals came in the second half in what was a proper FA Cup tie.
Tranmere R 2 - 2 Hereford U
Attendance: 6,909
Referee - Mr Nigel Miller (Hertfordshire)
There was a few changes to the starting eleven from the Crewe game. The injured Greenacre and Myrie-Williams were replaced by Gareth Taylor and Curran (on the right wing). Also the suspended Ian Goodison was replaced by Chorley.
In the first half both sides cancelled each other out in a scrappy affair. Both Taylors and Antony Kay all hit their attempts over. Hereford were playing the counter attack but didn't really trouble Danny Coyne.
Hereford fans basically filled the Cowshed and at the other end the bottom half of the kop was full creating a good atmosphere at both ends.
HALF-TIME TRANMERE ROVERS 0 - 0 HEREFORD UNITED
The first proper chance of the game came seven minutes into the second half with McLaren winning the ball in midfield and playing in Zola, but his shot was easy for Brown in the Hereford goal, Brown was latter to frustrate Rovers fans but not by his goalkeeping.
Smith's free-kick then tested Danny Coyne and Zola again made Brown save this time he could only parry for a corner.
Then just after the hour Rovers defence failed to deal with a Hereford attack on the edge of their box with Stockdale and Kay both blocking but the ball fell to Ben Smith whose fantastic right foot volley found the top corner to send the Hereford fans wild.
Calvin Zola was then replaced by Mike Jones and this changed the game with Curran moving up front.
Curran then had an effort saved on the line and the ball went out for a corner. The Hereford scorer Smith then punched the ball at the Tranmere fans, sparking some anger from the fans. Smith was nearly hit by a cup of tea and the ball but he found the funny side.
Antony Kay then headed wide, surely an equiliser would come soon or was it to be one of those days.
Apparently not, as Rovers were level with fifteen minutes left. Jones crossed in from the right after Taylor's shot was blocked it fell to Steven Jennings who smashed in off the bar against his former loanee club.
But within seconds Hereford were back infront, veteran Trevor Benjamin drilling in the second from just inside the Rovers area. Brown in the Hereford goal then produced some gestures towards Rovers fans and his smug face enfuriated Rovers fans.
So it made the second equiliser even sweeter. McLaren this time crossing through the area finding Gareth Taylor at the back post waiting to steal in with a powerful header to draw the game.
Not too many serious chances after that and the teams will play again on 15th/16th of January at Edgar Street.
Man of the Match
Steve Jennings
Against the club he was at for most of last year he produced a quality display capped with a goal. He rallied the midfield and set up many of Rovers attacks.
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