Tranmere Rovers
Bain Makes Rovers Bow In Reserves Victory
By Matthew Jones
September 10 2009
Kithson Bain last night made his first appearance for Tranmere Rovers, as he played the full 90 minutes in Rovers' Reserves' 1-0 victory at the Seaside against Blackpool Reserves thanks to a second half goal from Charlie Barnett.
Blackpool Res 0 - 1 Tranmere Res
Barnett 62
Tranmere Rovers' reserve side last night picked up their second successive win as they beat Blackpool reserves 1-0 at Bloomfield Road in the Totesport North-West Reserves league.
Shaun Garnett's side put in a dominating display from start to finish, and deserved their win, which came thanks to a second half goal from former Liverpool trainee Charlie Barnett.
Tranmere put out a reasonably strong side, with Bain not the only first teamer in action, as Terry Gornell, Charlie Barnett and Ashton Taylor all started as well. The full Rovers line up was:
Collister
Rule Taylor Baker (C) Benson
MacAuley Barnett Power Fraughan
Gornell Bain
Blackpool too though named a strong starting XI, which included two trialists in the form of ex-Stoke striker Vincent Pericard and former Rangers man Brian Gilmour, as well as former Rochdale 'keeper Matthew Gilks and ex-Ipswich man Billy Clarke.
In what was a reasonably scrappy first half, Tranmere started the better of the two sides, with Charlie Barnett coming closest early on with a free-kick that went over the bar from 25-yards.
At the other end, defenders Taylor and Baker snuffed out most of the attacking threat that Blackpool posed, with Collister having very little to do in the Rovers goal, as most shots went high and wide.
The Blackpool defence though were seemingly unable to handle the lively Bain up front, who on several occasions beat the offside trap with well timed runs, only for 'keeper Gilks to make one particularly fine save diving to his left to save a powerful Bain strike at his near post, whilst Bain saw another effort go over the bar and came closer still with a third and final effort for the first half, which rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.
Ashton Taylor headed over from one corner for Rovers, whilst Gilks was forced to save from midfielder Max Power too, as Shaun Garnett's side dominated the first half and were unlucky to go in at the interval with the game still 0-0.
Tranmere made one change at half time, as winger Jack MacKreth replaced Terry Gornell, meaning Josh MacAuley moved upfront to partner Kithson Bain.
MacKreth added extra pace and impitus to Tranmere as they attacked, making several impressive, darting runs, both down the wing and the centre of the field, which dragged defenders out of the way or put him in good positions to cross and score.
Indeed, it was one such lively move that lead to Tranmere's goal just after the hour mark, with MacKreth brilliantly carrying the ball into the box before pulling a cross back to Bain.
Charlie Barnett Scored the Tranmere Goal
Tranmere's new signing held the ball up well before laying off to Barnett, who, from 12 yards out, expertly curled the ball into the far corner of the net, leaving Gilks with no chance and handing Tranmere the win.
After the goal, Blackpool pressed for an equaliser, forcing a string of corners and chances, though nothing came of them, as Tranmere defended brilliantly, whilst Collister made a couple of fine saves.
It was Tranmere who came closest to another goal though, as first Charlie Barnett hit the post with a superb free-kick from 25-yards, before Kithson Bain vollied the re-bound wide of the open goal, with 'keeper Gilks motionless on both occasions.
It was then Rovers who came away with the victory, and a deserved one at that, their second successive win in the Totesport Reserve league.
Shaun Garnett's side dominated most of the game and no doubt boss John Barnes and his assistant Jason McAteer, who were present, will have been impressed with the performances of certain individuals.
Charlie Barnett, who was my Man of the Match, bossing the game from start to finish with some brilliant passes and flashes of vision, continued to put in a strong claim for a starting place in the first team, whilst Ashton Taylor did likewise, as he dominated both in the air and on the floor in defence, looking a class above his opposition strikers, that did, of course, include a former Premier League striker.
Liam Benson, playing in a foreign position at left-back, was superb, as he got forward very well all game, as well as making some key interceptions and tackles, whilst Baker and Rule completed a very successful back four that was, indeed, so strong, that goalkeeper Collister had very little to do all match.
The main story for Tranmere though was in midfield. As well as the brilliant Barnett, Max Power was superb as he got up and down the centre of the park all game, putting in some excellent passes and tackles, whilst Ryan Fraughan, who has also been involved in the first team this season, was, as ever, extremely lively and always a thorn in the side of the Blackpool defence, making some excellent, mazey runs, and some key passes which led to Rovers attacks.
Though Gornell up front didn't have many chances in front of goal, and nor did MacAuley, new signing Bain was impressive. He was fast, lively and put in plenty of effort for his new side.
His first touch looks good and the Grenada international looks to be very strong, well capable of winning headers and flicking the ball on.
He made some very good, explosive runs, showing himself to be a very direct player, though at times he needed to be more selfish in front of goal, choosing often to pass instead of shoot.
However, it was a promising performance from the new Tranmere striker, and a strong performance from the Rovers second string, who are now well placed in the table after two games.
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10/09/2009 11:18
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:11:18:23:31 by Deadly Submarine.
It was an enjoyable game on a nice evening and made a change to be sat under the roof at Blackpool (not that it was needed this time!)
Quote:
won 1-0
Bain looks good, strong, direct,needs to be more selfish in front of goal.
Barnes and Mcateer are both there
Goal was scored by barnet after a cross from jack mckreth, which was held brilliantly by bain in the area before he laid it of to barnett who coolly finished from 12 yeards out
won 1-0 dominating performance and deserved the win. charlie barnett and max power were excellent in cm, charlie b man of the match. bain played well but missed an absolute sitter near the end. collister had nothing to do as defence were excellent, liam beson at left back was superb and ash taylor was dominating at cb. Gornell and Macauley were poor up front but ryan fraughan was good down the left. Jack Makreth changed game when he came on, adding pace and direction going forward.
I liked the look of bain but at times he needed to be more selfish"
Macauley played right mid for the first half, gornell played 45 up front with bain, then gornell was subbed for Makreth who went right mid and Macauley went up front
Bain played well but looked tired at the end and perhaps needs another week or so to get fit. As Matt text to John, he often looked too unselfish and perhaps should have shot on a couple of occasions instead of laying the ball off.
He worked the front line well and was harshly given offside when clearly level (we were in line with it).
Nice to see Barnes and McAteer (as well as Dave Philpotts) there watching which is something our last Manager was criticised for not doing.
Full Report to follow from Matt.
Blackpools new Stand behind the goal (which is almost complete) looks very smart too and apparently these days it cost nearly £30.00 to sit in that open air away end for a League Game.
he didn't get top scorer for Greneda by being too unselfish.. he's in a new team and just trying to make friends i would think.. we'll soon see the real bain once settled.
we need to start picking up points and building confidence though 1st..
pathetic as it sounds, i get the impression majority of rovers fans would gladly take a point from saturday
I'm still behind Barnes but taking a draw at home to Walsall having already lost two at home and three away is not the answer.
Speaking to Barnes today though I wouldn't be surprised to see us win on Saturday (fingers crossed).
Yet I have a bizzare feeling we may scrape a win sub.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:11:13:08:14 by Deadly Submarine.
The reserves and youths are meant to be playing the same system/tactics as the first team - appparently the same system which is unworkable at league one level.
