Stalemate at Dean Court Sees Rovers Move Sixth

By Deadly Submarine September 3 2005
Tranmere kept a clean sheet for the third consecutive game but this time could not muster a goal at the other end either as the game ended in a rather boring stalemate at Dean Court. Delroy Facey made his debut for Rovers as they fielded an altered side due to injuries and international call-ups.

Bournemouth 0 – 0 Tranmere Rovers

Attendance: 5,695

It was the battle of the defences at Dean Court on Friday evening as Rovers returned from their long trip south with a point to show for their efforts after a hard fought game against Bournemouth ended goalless and sees Rovers move up into sixth place in League One.

Rovers third consecutive clean sheet helped to secure a reasonable point at Bournemouth for the second year in a row following last season’s 1-1 draw and considering Rovers had a few defensive problems to overcome in terms of team selection, a point will go down reasonably well at this stage.

The changes that Rovers Manager Brian Little had to make were all enforced changes with Gareth Roberts away on international duty with his native Wales and Ian Sharps injured. The third change was the replacement upfront of Iain Hume who departed the Club for Leicester on Wednesday’s transfer deadline day.

Hume was replaced upfront by new signing Delroy Facey whilst Carl Tremarco filled in at left-back as Ian Goodison moved into the centre-back position to cover the absence of Ian Sharps in defence.

Sam Aiston moved to the left wing in place of Roberts and Jennings played on the right wing, which signalled a return in the centre of midfield for captain Jason McAteer. Fellow veteran Mark Rankine once again had to settle for a place on the bench along with Wilson, Dagnall, Whitmore and youngster Ollie James. Striker Steve Davies was unavailable due to injury.

Although Rovers appeared to make a lot of running in the early stages, it was the home side who created a few chances early on with James Hayter involved on a number of occasions with a shot over the crossbar and a pass for Stephen Cooke who also failed to hit the target.

On 20 minutes, Rodrigues shot wide for the Cherries and just three minutes later a mistake by Ian Goodison at the back almost allowed Surman to score. Rodrigues had another chance a few minutes later before Tranmere finally created an opportunity of their own when a one-two between Aiston and Facey gave the winger a crossing opportunity but he was unable to get the ball to either Facey or Greenacre and instead Rovers had to settle for a corner kick.

Carl Tremarco tried his luck with a 20 yard free-kick after Harrison had been fouled but his effort sailed over the crossbar. The last chance of the half fell to the home side but Alex Bruce cleared off the line and the ball was cleared to safety as the first half ended goalless.

Mike Jackson reached a McAteer free-kick just as the second half began but his contact was enough to cause any danger to Bournemouth and the Rovers defender was then called into action at the other end as he cleared a good Bournemouth chance. John Achterberg also made a decent save from Surman as Rovers managed somehow to keep the scores level.

Rovers had a couple of chances through Goodison and Harrison but then had a scare when first Surman and then Browning almost got the ball in the net for the Cherries but on both occasions the ball was cleared by the Rovers defence.

For the third time in the match, Jackson had to clear off the line towards the end of the game whilst Aiston had a great chance to win the game but the goalkeeper Stewart pulled off a good save.

The final chances fell to Rovers as Goodison again headed a corner over the bar and then Greenacre had the ball in the net with two minutes remaining but he was penalised for offside and the goal was disallowed.

The draw sees Rovers move into sixth place in League One with Bradford at Home their next game next Friday night at Prenton Park – Kick Off 7.45pm,

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