Tranmere Rovers
Rovers Rule in Senior Cup Derby Clash
By Deadly Submarine
February 19 2010
A young Tranmere Reserve team triumphed in the Liverpool Senior Cup last night against Cammell Laird to set up a home tie against Liverpool in the semi-finals of the competition thanks to goals in the first half from Ross Rule and Dale Jennings in a 2-0 win......
Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Cammell Laird
Ross Rule 23
Dale Jennings 45
Rovers' young Reserve side tasted success in the Liverpool Senior Cup on Thursday night as they defeated local neighbours Cammell Laird 2-0 thanks to goals in the first half from Ross Rule and Dale Jennings in a deserved victory.
Following Monday night's Reserve game away to Accrington Stanley at Clitheroe FC, which Shaun Garnett's much more experienced side won 2-1 thanks to a brace from Terry Gornell, the team for this game at Laird's Kirklands Stadium gave many more of the youth scholars a game.
Only three players from that game on Monday night took their place again three days later with an added trialist in the shape of Robin Kacaniklic with the line-up as follows.....
Collister
Pursehouse Ashcroft Baker (c) Benson
Rule Roberts Power Gibbs Kacaniklic
Jennings
Rovers had an early scare as a Lairds shot went wide of Joe Collister's goal with Laird's management team of ex-Rovers players Alex Hay and Kenny Irons looking on from a very wet touchline.
Rovers began to get into the game soon after though with Max Power and Connor Roberts impressing yet again in midfield alongside Jay Gibbs whilst Ross Rule made a nuisance of himself down the right, supported well by Alex Pursehouse who continues to shine for the reserves.
There was an early blow for Shaun Garnett and Rovers when left back Liam Benson was first treated for a a knock sustained in a tackle on him and then a few minutes later succumbed to the injury and had to be replaced by David McNamara.
Rovers took the lead from a corner on 23 minutes when Ross Rule fired the ball in from a crowded penalty area and could have doubled their lead but for a good save by former Rovers and now Lairds goalkeeper Phil Palethorpe.
On the stroke of half-time a long ball from the Rovers defence saw the Lairds defender make a huge error by missing the ball and Dale Jennings was able to latch onto it and slot cooly past the advancing Palethorpe to give Rovers a two goal cushion at the break.
Half-Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Cammell Laird
At half-time, Shaun Garnett made one change to the line-up with trialist Kacaniklic being replaced by another trialist in the shape of Leonardo Barcellos.
As the second half progressed, the tackles began to fly in and some heated exchanges and some verbal confrontations added to what had been a competitive game already.
Midway through the second half, Lairds had the ball in the net thanks to a stunning strike from distance but the referee's whistle had already blown for an infringement and the goal was disallowed.
At the other end Phil Palethorpe denied Rovers once again and a couple of further chances followed when firstly Max Power and then Connor Roberts played decent through balls to Dale Jennings and the very impressive David McNamara who's second half performance down the left was outstanding.
Lairds forced a couple of consecutive corners but the Rovers backline lead by Captain Tom Baker, held firm and the game ended in 2-0 victory for Tranmere on the night, thus thankfully avoiding extra-time and penalties on a cold and wet evening.
Full-Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Cammell Laird
Alex Pursehouse
Plenty of contenders for Man of the Match from goalscorers Dale Jennings and Ross Rule to the impressive subsitute David McNamara and the midfield combination of Max Power and Connor Roberts but once again Alex Pursehouse impressed with his defensive performance and gets the award.
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19/02/2010 17:44
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