Tranmere Rovers
Enoch Earns Rovers Smash and Grab Victory
By Mark Ridgway
November 21 2010
Enoch Showumni netted the only goal of a pretty poor game to hand Rovers another win on the road against struggling Notts County at Meadow Lane making it four wins in five for Les Parry's men............
Notts County 0 - 1 Tranmere R
Showumni 50
It may not have been pretty, but after beating Notts County 1-0 at Meadow Lane today, Rovers have now won four of the last five league games. This was their third consecutive 1-0 victory after wins against Bury and Plymouth, this one was far from a classic, but it got the job done. Enoch Showunmi earned the points after he finished off a well worked move involving Ian Thomas-Moore whilst Joss Labadie saw red for the visitors, but Rovers held on for fifteen minutes with ten men.
Despite pre-match claims that Showunmi would not play, he lined up in the 4-3-3 formation with the injured Marlon Broomes being replaced by Max Blanchard at centre back. Joss Labadie returned in place of Lucas Akins, meaning the formation would change to the one that beat Plymouth a week previous.
Gulacsi
Cathalina, Blanchard, Goodison, Bakayogo
Mendy, Welsh, Labadie
Thomas-Moore, Showunmi, Jennings
In an uninspiring first half that was dominated by niggly fouls, it was the hosts who were the better side; they came closest when Ben Davies’ free kick skimmed the roof of the net.
Zoom Bakayogo was lucky not to see red after two reckless challenges; Parry was wise to this and replaced him after 25 minutes with Aaron Cresswell.
Gulacsi denied Davies with a low save, but there was little action in a half that saw Rovers captain John Welsh booked, meaning he will miss the match with Hartlepool on Tuesday through suspension.
Half Time: Notts County 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers
The one moment of real quality in the game came five minutes after half time, and it resulted in the only goal. Showunmi picked up the ball on the half way line and fed Thomas-Moore with a delightfull through ball down the right, he beat his man and clipped in a teased cross for Showunmi to hammer home, via the keeper and into the top corner.
The away stand erupted and Enoch celebrated right in front of the ‘Su’ White Army’ with the aid of his team mates.
Soon after he was replaced because of his niggling injury, he left to a standing ovation from the Rovers fans, to be replaced by Lucas Akins.
Mike Edwards and Liam Chilvers both headed off target as the hosts looked to respond, as Rovers weren’t having any problem containing them.
Then with 15minutes left, a moment of petulance from Joss Labadie saw Tranmere reduced to 10 men, he received a straight red card for an off the ball incident involving Ricky Ravenhill, right in front of the referee, and he walked for violent conduct.
Rovers then had the sole aim of hanging on, with everyone behind the ball apart from Thomas-Moore, who was ordered to just do as best as he could.
He did have a 45 yard effort on goal, which sailed harmlessly over and at the other end a major let off when Stephen Darby was denied by Gulacsi from close range. The keeper then denied Hawley in injury time, but Rovers held on for a crucial 3 points, in a class smash and grab victory.
Full Time: Notts County 0 - 1 Tranmere Rovers
Max Blanchard
Maybe not the most popular choice, however thrown in at centre back and not being the biggest guy was a big task, but Max dealt with everything and made a crucial tackle in the area, mid-way through the half.
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21/11/2010 11:47
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