Lita 10

Attendance: 8183

Bristol City had the best of the opening exchanges and scored on 10 minutes and despite almost constant threats from Rovers in the second period, Bristol City ensured the 3 Points were theirs through determined defending and the odd slice of luck.

Brian Little opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Iain Hume returning from illness to partner Paul Hall up front and Mark Rankine returning to the midfield. Rankine and Hume returned at the expense of Gary Jones and Eugene Dadi who joined Beresford, Whitmore and the returning Chris Dagnall on the bench. There was no place on the bench though for goalkeeper Phil Palethorpe.

The sides exchanged chances in the opening five minutes with Hall for Rovers and Wilkshire and new signing Ireland for the Robins all having half-chances. It was City who took the lead though on 10 minutes through prolific striker Leroy Lita who turned past a poor challenge from Goodison and with the help of a slight deflection it would appear, the ball went underneath Russell Howarth and into the net.

After the goal Tranmere had a number of chances as Bristol City appeared to relax slightly but the visitors defending remained resolute. Shortly after the goal, a Ryan Taylor free kick for a foul on Hall forced goalkeeper Phillips into a good save before Hume was put through by Hall but fired into the side-netting from a tight angle with the help of Phillips. Both sides had further chances before half-time but Tranmere left the pitch to perhaps unnecessary booing. The performance had not been goods in the first half but the way the visitors had played after going in front early had contributed to this factor.

The second half was a different story as Tranmere emerged from the dressing room with no changes evident but it soon became clear that much had been said during the interval. It became all Tranmere pressure as a Taylor free kick beat the wall and was parried by the keeper to McAteer who fired wide of goal.

From one on Rovers’ many second half corners, Ian Sharps strong header beat goalkeeper Phillips but was cleared off the line by defender Mickey Bell. Jackson headed a Taylor corner into the ground and over and Hall touched Roberts cross over the bar. Theo Whitmore was introduced to midfield just after the hour at the expense of Harrison and Tranmere had a decent penalty shout with around ten minutes remaining when the ball appeared to strike a defenders arm but the referee waved play on.

Dadi and Gary Jones were introduced far to late in the game to make any impact on the attack and Bristol City held on for three points. On reflection Tranmere probably deserved a draw but football doesn’t always work like that.

Ian Sharps was booked in the second half and is now suspended for the Home game against Walsall on January 22.

Tranmere now have a derby game away at Wrexham on Saturday, Kick Off 3.00pm so get down there and get behind the lads. Three points is now a must!

Ian Sharps – Solid as ever at the back and a couple of chances at the other end including a header cleared off the line.

Howarth, Taylor, Jackson, Sharps (Jones 87), Goodison, Roberts, McAteer, Rankine, Harrison (Whitmore 64), Hume, Hall (Dadi 84)

Subs Not Used: Dagnall, Beresford.

Bookings: Sharps

Phillips, Smith, Bell, Coles, Lita, Tinnion (Dinning 63), Wilkshire (Doherty 74), Fortune, Orr, Ireland, Brooker (Murray 80)

Subs Not Used: Heffernan, Goodfellow

Bookings: Ireland, Orr

Referee: Mr R Oliver