Tranmere Rovers
Gritty Rovers Earn Crucial Point at the Galpharm
By Mark Ridgway
December 3 2009
Mark Ridgway reports on Tuesday night’s superb and extremely hard fought 3-3 away draw at Huddersfield Town as Rovers came from behind almost instantly on three separate occasions to earn a vital in the bid to stay in Coca-Cola League One.
Huddersfield 3 - 3 Tranmere
Novak 6 Thomas-Moore 8
Collins 58 Curran 60
Kay 81 Taylor 85
Attendance: 13,509
Rovers produced a battling performance to earn an unlikely point away at Huddersfield in a six-goal thriller on Tuesday night. Rovers came from behind three times, the third equaliser coming with five minutes left on the clock. Ian Thomas-Moore and Craig Curran were on target for Rovers whilst Michael Ricketts claimed with the third although it appeared to hit Ash Taylor last.
The only change from the side that faced Aldershot on Saturday saw Ian Thomas-Moore start in place of the injured Chris Shuker. Former Rovers hero and captain Antony Kay started in midfield for the opposition as the Rovers team looked like this....
Daniels
Logan, Broomes, Goodison, Bakayogo
Edds, Taylor, Welsh
Curran, Gornell, Thomas-Moore
The game started at an electric pace and Lee Novak headed over Daniels's goal with just two minutes on the clock to give an early danger sign for the visitors which wasn't heeded just four minutes later as the same man Lee Novak, beat Ian Goodison to a loose ball and smashed into the top corner to give the hosts the lead.
However the despair was short lived as Rovers who went up the other end and equalised within two minutes as Terry Gornell's right footed drive was parried by Smithies but only as far as Ian Thomas-Moore who smashed into the top corner to equalise for the visitors.
Ian Thomas-Moore Ensured Rovers were Level at Half-Time
Jordan Rhodes shot straight at Daniels who also tipped over a Clarke header as Rovers defended well against immense Huddersfield pressure with the home side playing some excellent football and dominating possession.
Gornell then swivelled and shot just wide for Rovers whilst Kay's drive was well kept out by Daniels at the other end. Gareth Edds shot at the host's wall with his free kick as Rovers fought their corner as the half ended all square.
Half-Time: Huddersfield Town 1 - 1 Tranmere Rovers
Huddersfield started the second half the brighter of the two teams and got back into the lead when a cross from Roberts was partially cleared by Ian Goodison and Michael Collins smashed in from the edge of the box.
Yet again though it thankfully took Rovers just a few minutes to equalise a second time when Ian Thomas-Moore's flick on fell perfectly for Craig Curran who rifled a shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner to make it 2-2!
Some Rovers thought their side had earned a penalty shortly after the equaliser, when Terry Gornell went down when running at goal but Gornell clearly dived to make more of the incident than their was and this probably swung the referee in favour of giving nothing for Rovers and rightly so.
Craig Curran Scored Rover's Second Equaliser
John Welsh then had a long range effort tipped over by Smithies and Daniels had to be at his best to deny Roberts with a header at the other end.
With eight minutes left Huddersfield appeared to have nicked the points when former Rovers hero Antony Kay poked in through a crowded penalty area to give the hosts the lead again and with all credit to the former Rovers man he refused to celebrate his goal, even pushing away his team-mates as they tried to congratulate him.
However you know the routine by now and Rovers equalised again within minutes when Terry Gornell was given a free-kick for what appeared to be no contact at all and at best minimal contact.
John Welsh whipped in the resulting free kick and as Ash Taylor directed it goalwards, it went all the way through and was cleared by the defender but only after crossing the line with Michael Ricketts being credited with the strike at the time, but it seems clear that it was in fact Ash Taylor who earned Rovers the points with the third equaliser.
Full-Time: Huddersfield Town 3 - 3 Tranmere Rovers
John Welsh
Conceding three goals was a result of the defence having something of an off day although admittedly it was against a good attacking side, whilst the strikers took their chances but didn't shine in the game throughout. Therefore John Welsh for his midfield performance gets the award.
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03/12/2009 12:58
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04/12/2009 15:19
If you're reading this Goodison, you're our best defender and without you we would be on zero points.
P.s How on earth did John Welsh get the man of the match award? Ash Taylor was the best midfielder, other contenders were Logan and Daniels.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:04:15:56:29 by Deadly Submarine.
Goodison isn't having his best season. But they are starting to improve and even les is greatful for his commitment recently..
Let's just keep going an get behind them eh
04/12/2009 15:46
Quote:SWA try to be a bit more realistic, first 2 goals were down to him, best defender you say ! then you named at least 3 you thought played better than him !SWA
Without Goodison we do not win simple as that, he's playing through the pain barrier for the team and without him we would have lost. He holds the back 4 together and makes crucial interceptions. Yes he hasn't been as good as he usually is recently, but he has still been the best defender on the pitch. Les Parry's recent press conference was directly addressing certain individuals on these sites who feel they can make outlandish, ridiculous comments without taking into account other factors or looking at the evidence. Goodison has been our best player arguably in the last 10 years and certainly since the start of Ronnie Moore's reign, get off his back and support the team.
If you're reading this Goodison, you're our best defender and without you we would be on zero points.
P.s How on earth did John Welsh get the man of the match award? Ash Taylor was the best midfielder, other contenders were Logan and Daniels.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:04:15:59:18 by Deadly Submarine.
04/12/2009 18:44
Ian goodison is the man!! yes he has made mistakes but when you see the comittment and influence he brings to us he has to be there!! We need an Ian Goodison stand!!!
Quote:you think Ash should have done more with the ball Goodison kicked in to the path of the striker ! to set up the second !SWA
Erm I said best defender as in best defender in the team not neccasirly that match! The second goal was Bakayogo been left for dead, Ash Taylor could also have done alot better.
05/12/2009 11:17
I can see how the announcer mistook Taylor for ricketts they are very similar looking. Ha ha, sounds like ricketts tried to claim it tho despite as les said him being in the other Half of the pitch
