It’s the same old story with Rovers at the moment as they seem to find winning a rare commodity in what has so far been a miserable season for Brian Little’s men.  At Oakwell on Tuesday night, Rovers were once again far from their best but were still considerably the better team throughout which makes it all the more frustrating that they once again left Yorkshire with nothing to show.

 

After a dominant first half by Rovers ended in stalemate and a chorus of boos from the home fans, two second-half goals, each with their own hint of controversy, by Devaney and Richards saw the game put beyond Rovers despite a late goal by Delroy Facey deep into injury-time that gave the remainder of the 243 Rovers fans who hadn’t already left something to cheer on a cold night.

 

Brian Little made two changes to the side that drew 2-2 at home to League leaders Swansea City ten days ago.  The first change was an enforced one as goalkeeper John Achetrberg failed a fitness test with a pelvis injury that allowed Steve Wilson to make his League debut for Rovers.  In the other change, Steve Jennings was preferred to Sam Aiston on the right of midfield.  Mike Jackson passed a fitness test and was able to play.

 

The game developed into a fairly open encounter in the early stages and after just three minutes, Delroy Facey was sent racing clear by a long ball from Ian Goodison that was dealt with by the home defence before any damage could be inflicted. 

 

Although the game was open, there were very few clear-cut chances in the first half which given the awful state of Barnsley’s defence and at times their midfield was something of a surprise.  Wilson did well to gather a cross-cum-shot from Jacob Burns after eight minutes and Simon Francis failed to connect with a great flick-on by Ian Sharps following a Gareth Roberts corner.

 

Tranmere dominated possession in the first 45 minutes but failed to make it count and with Rovers looking dodgy through Gareth Roberts and Ian Goodison on the left side, there was always a chance that despite not being the better side, the home side could well take the lead.

 

As Barnsley won a corner in the 42^nd minute, Rovers captain Mike Jackson, who only passed a fitness test on the day of the game, was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Carl Tremarco who moved to left midfield, with Gareth Roberts playing left-back and Ian Goodison moving to the centre – to the relief of many of the visiting fans.

 

Right on the stroke of half-time, Chris Greenacre set Mark Rankine off on a run through the Tykes defence but his pace let him down and he couldn’t get the shot away, meaning the half ended goalless as the home side left the field to the sound of booing.

 

Rovers kept their far superior corner count going as the second half began by winning two early corners, but sadly they couldn’t captialise.  The home side were stillstruggling to get into the game as Carl Tremarco showed his attacking side after being set up Mark Rankine but the youngster’s shot was well held by Flinders in the Tykes goal.

 

A few minutes later, Flinders was in action again, saving a shot from Steven Jennings as Rovers continued to be frustrated an just a minute later they were punished in the worst possible way as Barnsley took the lead.  A hint of controversy surrounded the build-up as Chris Greenacre appeared to be fouled in midfield. 

 

The referee waved play on but the Tranmere players, who had expected a foul to be given were subsequently caught cold allowing Paul Hayes to break down the left and square for the unmarked Martin Devaney to score with the home side’s first real chance of the game.

 

Tremarco headed over from a Jennings cross ten minutes after the goal and shortly after that chance, the Rovers fans knew it was not to be their night as a looping header from Chris Greenacre from Facey’s excellent cross, looked certain to be going in until man of the match Flinders pulled off a fabulous save to deny him his 10th Rovers goal of the season.

 

The home side doubled their lead in controversial fashion on 76 minutes when Hayes went down in a way that Klinsmann would have been proud of under the challenge of both Jennings and Goodison and the referee awarded a penalty.  Not only was the award for the foul doubtful, but the players did not appear to be in the penalty area at the time of the incident.  Marc Richards converted the penalty and, almost beyond belief, the home side were two goals to the good.

 

As the Rovers fans chanted for Chris Dagnall to come on, Brian Little duly obliged by bringing on Sam Aiston for Danny Harrison with ten minutes remaining.  Delroy Facey scored a poachers goal from close range deep into stoppage time after the keeper had failed to hold his initial shot but although Rovers pressed after the re-start, there was to be no more time for them to get the draw that would have been the very least they deserved.

 

Overall, a disappointing performance from Rovers was made all the more frustrating by the fact that they still should have won the game.  If the Whites continue to fail in making possession count by taking chances then we are all in for a long five months to come.

 

 

Tranmere Man of the Match

 

Mark Rankine:  Once again Delroy Facey looked a threat upfront on a day when Chris Greenacre was disappointingly poor but it was the ‘old man’ of the team, Mark Rankine who had the best game for Rovers, working hard throughout with the highlight being hos run through the Barnsley midfield that sadly ended before the shot could be produced.

 

The Team Line-Ups

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Barnsley: Flinders, Hassell, Carbon (Tonge 60), Burns (Wroe 66), Hayes, Howard, Austin, Kay, Shuker, Richards, Devaney (Williams 72).

           

Substitutes Not Used: Scarsella, Reid.

          

Tranmere Rovers: Wilson, Francis, Jackson (Tremarco 42), Sharps, Goodison, Jennings, Rankine, Harrison (Aiston 80), Roberts, Facey, Greenacre.

           

Substitutes Not Used: Dagnall, Zola, Palethorpe.

           

Booked: None

 

Referee – Mike Pike (Cumbria)

 

The Gaffer’s Verdict…

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Brian Little’s View of the Match (Speaking to the Official Website)…..

 

"I'm disappointed as I thought we were the better side.  We kept them quiet for long periods.  Our players were bright and strong and we were unlucky to go in 0-0 at half time.”

 

"Their first goal was gifted to them. We got a throw in outside their box and within five seconds they had a three on two. I was shouting to Sam Aiston when the penalty was given so didn't see it but our lads are pretty confident that it was a bad shout against us.”

     

"It has been a frustrating night as we were better than them but lost the game”

     

Barnsley Manager Andy Ritchie’s View of the Match……

 

"I feel for Brian as his players have done everything but put the ball in the net. We've got away with three points."

 

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