Sometimes, but not often, its worth venturing out of the house on a freezing cold December evening and tonight was one of those occasions as Rovers came from a goal down at half-time to eventually run out 4-1 winners thanks to Chris Greenacre’s excellent hat-trick which was the first hat-trick by a Rovers player at Prenton Park since Jason Koumas in December 2001.

 

With the game still apparently under threat even as fans entered the Stadium and with the pitch looking dodgy in parts, it did not alter the fact that for Tranmere in particular this game was massive and in the end they responded well.

 

After conceding a first-half penalty and subsequently going in 1-0 down at half-time, perhaps a little harshly, Rovers responded after a great tactical change by manager Brian Little as Chris Greenacre fired a hat-trick and Calvin Zola scored to give Rovers a comfortable 4-1 win and their first at home since August 29^th when they beat Swindon Town.

 

Little made three changes to the starting line-up as the injured Delroy Facey was replaced by Steve Davies upfront and Ian Goodison, who also took a knock at Walsall on Monday was replaced at the back by Paul Linwood.  The final change saw Mark Rankine rested as Club captain Jason McAteer returned to the starting line-up for the first time since the beginning of October after a knee injury.

 

As the players got used to the tricky conditions on an albeit playable pitch, Chris Greenacre shot wide for Rovers early on after good work by Steve Davies and Phil Jevons headed wide of Steve Wilson’s goal at the other end.

 

Rovers fans thought their side had taken the lead on 17 minutes when a Paul Linwood header was caught on the line by Collis in the Glovers goal.  As Rovers players appealed that the ball had crossed the line, the officials thought otherwise and the game continued.

 

A mistake by Paul Linwood almost proved costly as Jevons stole in but Mike Jackson did well to block the striker’s chance before Steve Davies had two great chances to give the home side the lead.  However after good work by Roberts, he the youngster could only fire high over the bar and when he was played in by Francis, his shot was gathered by Collis.

 

A second error from Linwood though was to prove costly for Rovers as he fouled David Poole in the penalty area and Phil Jevons converted the spot-kick to give the visitors a slightly undeserved lead.  

 

Rovers looked to get back into the game immediately and after a great run into the penalty area, Simon Francis seemed to keep hold of the ball too long and was dispossessed as the home side went into the break a goal down.

 

As Rovers came out for the second half, Brian Little made two changes and changed the formation with Jennings and Linwood being replaced by Calvin Zola and Sam Aiston as Rovers switched to a 4-3-3 formation.

 

The change paid instant dividends as Rovers drew themselves level after just five minutes of the second-half thanks to a piece of magic from Chris Greenacre.  A quick free-kick by McAteer found Greenacre in the area and in a flash he turned his man and fired a wonderful shot into the top corner of the net.

 

Rovers seemed buoyed by the goal and went in search of a second with McAteer a massive influence in the centre of the pitch.  Jevons fired wide for Yeovil and Sodje was doing well at the back for the Glovers to keep out Rovers’ three pronged attack.

 

On 73 minutes, Rovers took the lead when a free-kick was awarded 25 yards from the Yeovil goal.  Gareth Roberts struck a wonderful shot that cannoned of the crossbar but Calvin Zola was there to knock home the rebound and send Prenton Park wild.

 

Given Tranmere’s recent misfortunes, the home fans knew that a third goal was really needed to ensure they weren’t clinging on at the end and it promptly came within two minutes of them taking the lead.

 

Davies won a brilliant tackle on half-way and galloped forward before playing a pin-point ball to Chris Greenacre who finished well to give Rovers a rare comfort zone.

 

Yeovil’s response was to make a triple substitution but they still looked unlikely to get back into the game and four minutes from time their situation was made worse by a fourth Rovers goal as Chris Greenacre recieved the ball from the excellent Sam Aiston and completed his hat-trick to make it 4-1.

 

Greenacre’s treble was Rovers first hat-trick at Prenton Park since Jason Koumas scored three in the 6-1 defeat of Carlisle United in the FA Cup in December 2001.  There was no sign of a Yeovil revival and Rovers held out to win 4-1 and send their freezing fans home happy.

 

The Rovers players will now travel to Port Vale on Saturday full of confidence although Vale beat high-flying Huddersfield 3-0 a the Galpharm Stadium tonight.

 

 

Tranmere Man of the Match

 

Chris Greenacre:  For a wonderful hat-trick that included two excellent finishes, Chris Greenacre deservedly gets the Man of the Match Award but the return of Jason McAteer after an injury lay-off was instrumental in Rovers victory.

 

 

The Team Line-Ups

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Tranmere Rovers: Wilson, Linwood (Zola 45), Sharps, Jackson, Francis, Harrison, McAteer (Tremarco 88), Jennings (Aiston 45), Roberts, Davies, Greenacre.           

 

Substitutes Not Used: Palethorpe, Goodison.

          

Yeovil Town:  Collis, Amankwaah (Gall 78), Sodje, Guyett, Miles (Jones 78), Poole (Davies 78), Terry, Johnson, Cohen, Jevons, Harrold.

           

Substitutes Not Used: Weale, Skiverton.

           

Booked: Jackson and McAteer (Tranmere), Cohen, Harrold and Sodje (Yeovil)

 

Referee – Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear)

 

The Gaffer’s Verdict…

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

 

"I still don't think we deserved to be 1-0 down at half time.  Willo hasn't had a save to make and their keeper has made two great saves.

 

"We set the team up to be solid, but when we were 1-0 down at half time we had to reshuffle. We had the option of bringing Calvin on after he declared himself match fit this morning, and that was a bonus for us.”

 

"The second half was a good performance for us, we took our chances and I'm pleased with the result. We were still a bit nervous after going 2-1 up but the last ten minutes was very good for us. Chris Greenacre's first finish was really good. He didn't rush it as he has done lately."

     

"At half-time Steve Jennings and Paul Linwood had done nothing wrong but Jason McAteer gave us something different with his ability to pass. I had to gamble and many times this season they have gone wrong, but this time it worked.

     

"Jason has good qualities and played well in his first game after injury.  We'll now try to get him ready for next Monday at home."     

   

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