By Deadly Submarine
February 18 2007

A second half brace from Chris Shuker handed Rovers a vital 2-0 win at Yeovil that put them right back in the promotion race as some of the other results in the top eight went the way that Rovers would have wanted.

 

 

 

Attendance: 5, 168

 

Match Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL MATCH STATISTICS AND TEAM LINE-UPS

 

Tranmere produced a great away performance to seal all three vital points with a 2-0 win at Huish Park on Saturday thanks to two second half goals from Chris Shuker that helped Rovers back into the promotion race after a recent and seemingly lengthy dip in form, especially away from home.

 

After a goalless but fairly even first half, Rovers took the lead shortly after the second half began when Chris Shuker cut inside to score before later adding to his tally for the season with a crucial second goal seven minutes from time.

 

For Rovers though the win was marred slightly by injuries and suspensions that look likely to further deplete the squad in the coming weeks at what is a crucial time in League One.

 

Rovers Boss Ronnie Moore made the surprise decision to opt for a half fit Ian Goodison at the back for Rovers in place of the injured John Thompson with his other alternative having been to tinker with his selection and play players out of position. 

 

A one game ban for Carl Tremarco saw Shane Sherriff return to the starting line-up after a recent illness whilst John Mullin returned from injury to replace Kevin Ellison who dropped to the bench as Rovers employed a 4-3-3 formation with the three-man midfield of Mullin, McLaren and McAteer supporting Chris Greenacre, Gareth Taylor and Chris Shuker upfront.

 

There was plenty of action in the opening exchanges as Rovers fans were treated to the rare site of their side trying to play football on the ground with little sign of a hoofed forward pass and early on the change in style seemed to be suiting the visitors.

 

Rovers were dealt a blow in the 16^th minute though when goalkeeper John Achterberg was forced into action to make a save that resulted in him being injured.  Despite a bold attempt to get up and run off the injury, his first attempt at a goal-kick shortly after proved that his afternoon was over and Gavin Ward came on to replace him.

 

After a bright start for Rovers, the break in play because of Achterberg’s injury had affected their momentum a little and with Ian Goodison visibly struggling to get up each time he hit the deck, questions were beginning to be raised amongst Rovers fans about his ability to continue.

 

However it was Robbie Stockdale that became the next cause for concern as he was injured just two minutes before half-time and had to be replaced by Danny Harrison at right-back.

 

Nil-nil at the break was probably a fair reflection but Rovers had played better in the first 45 minutes than they had for quite a while before away from home.

 

They then took the lead just eight minutes into the second half when Chris Shuker cut inside after a throw-in and sent the ball through goalkeeper Mildenhall’s legs to send the Rovers fans behind that goal wild with delight!

 

A booking for descent for Chris McCready just prior to Rovers’ goal means that he will miss Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient but things got worse for Rovers just ten minutes after that when Ian Goodison also got booked and will also miss the trip to London.

 

Gavin Ward kept Rovers in the game with a couple of decent saves before the visitors sealed the points seven minutes from time after good work from firstly Chris Greenacre and then Paul McLaren with the latter feeding Chris Shuker who finished well past Mildenhall from a tight angle for his and Rovers second of the afternoon.

 

Late on, Kevin Ellison replaced the hard-working Chris Greenacre as Rovers held out for a vital win after what had been an encouraging performance helped once again by the midfield influence of Jason McAteer.

 

As other results went Rovers way on Saturday, with only Scunthorpe and Bristol City winning from the top ten teams, the SuperWhites can now start to once again look up in the League in the hope that the play-offs at least are not beyond us this season.

 

The absence of both McCready and Goodison due to suspension for the away trip is bad enough in itself but coupled with injuries to Robbie Stockdale and John Thompson, Rovers may be looking very depleted although they will be boosted by the return from suspension of Carl Tremarco.

 

Rovers now face strugglers Cheltenham Town at home on Tuesday (20^th February) before that trip to London to face Leyton Orient next Saturday (24^th February).

 

 

Chris Shuker – Two important goals and he always looked a threat in the game so Chris Shuker deservedly gets the Man of the Match Award for this game ahead of Ian Goodison and Jason McAteer who were also contenders.

 

LINK: YOUR MAN OF THE MATCH AND PLAYER RATINGS

 

"I think we deserved to win the game.  We came with a game plan of 4-3-3 and to get McAteer on the ball and we caused them no end of problems.  At one time I think we had 25-28 passes and they couldn't get a touch.”

“We just lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.  But in the second half when we got the goal it spurred them on a bit.  We defended deep but we got bodies in front of the ball, blocked things and limited them to very few chances.  I thought it was a magnificent performance.  It was a tremendous result and it keeps us in there.”

"I thought John was very unlucky.  We don't know how bad he is but he certainly couldn't stay on.  Then Robbie pulled his calf and Danny has never played right back.  So we're thinking 'here we go, poor old Danny thrown in away from home in a massive game.’  But I thought he was magnificent.  He did everything we asked of him.”

"[The injury situation] is a nightmare.  At least Tremarco can play left back and Sherriff can move in one.  But it leaves us without a centre back and right back.  But we've got to get on with the Tuesday night game now.  I've said before that we had to get in sixth spot and we'll see where we go from here.”

"Shukes' finishing was magnificent.  He was a threat all match.  The formation was forced on us, but it worked well.  It needs tinkering with a little bit, but it certainly is a formation that can benefit you going forward.  We've got good legs in there with John Mullin and Paul McLaren and it suits McAteer to get on it and pass.  Some of his passing in the first half was magnificent.

"Ian Goodison was probably about 60% fit.  He had cramp in both legs at one point.  He was desperate to come off but I kept asking for five more minutes!  We got it through and he'll only benefit from it. It shows what a gutsy lad he is."