Tranmere Rovers
Survival Goes to Wire After Massive Three Points
By Mark Ridgway
May 1 2010
Mark Ridgway reports on Tranmere's vital 2-0 home win over Millwall in Coca-Cola League One which takes both the automatic promotion race and the relegation battle into the final weekend of the season next week after goals from Ian Thomas-Moore and Andy Robinson's screamer sank the Lions......
Tranmere R 2 - 0 Millwall
Ian Thomas-Moore 45
Andy Robinson 66
Attendance: 8,694
Rovers pulled out yet another shock home victory against promotion chasing Millwall as Ian Thomas-Moore converted a penalty before Andy Robinson doubled the lead in spectacular fashion.
The result meant rovers remained in the drop zone on goal difference alone, and the away game at Stockport will be the biggest game in the clubs recent history.
The only change to the side that drew at Colchester was Craig Curran being dropped to the bench in place of Andy Robinson. So the starting line up looked like this...
Gulacsi
Logan, Broomes, Goodison, Bakayogo
Welsh, Taylor, Labadie
Savage, Thomas-Moore, Robinson
A superb pre-match atmosphere was created with rallying music being played, as this was a massive game for everyone inside the ground, Millwall sold out their allocation so were obviously full of voice, but Rovers fans were superb throughout.
Rovers had the first chance to take the lead with Robinson's free kick finding Ash Taylor who powered a header over. At the other end a neat turn from Trotter gave him a chance to shoot at Gulacsi from a tight angle.
Ian Thomas-Moore Opened the Scoring for Rovers
Millwall were now controlling the game as Harris shot across goal before Hackett forced Gulacsi into a neat save.
In a similar attack to the one we saw against Norwich last month, Millwall keeper Forde was caught in no man's land and Ian Thomas-Moore rounded him, only for the keeper to put it behind for a corner. Then when Morison was sent clean through for the visitors, Marlon Broomes powered back to produce a perfectly timed slide tackle to clear the danger.
When the scoreboard produced those orange latest scores, a few sighs were sent around, at the news of goals for Exeter and Gillingham, meaning rovers could be facing the drop today in the worst case scenario.
However spirits were highly lifted soon after when Logan and Savage set up Ian Thomas-Moore to run at goal, he twisted and turned and was clipped by Robinson and as he went down the referee pointed to the spot.
After earning it, Ian Thomas-Moore was coolness defined from a pressure penalty as he sent the keeper the wrong way to break the deadlock. He then proceeded in taunting Millwall fans before celebrating with the Rovers ones, actions which earnt him a booking, but nobody cared at the time.
Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 1 - 0 Millwall
Millwall responded by bringing on Lewis Grabban, and he came close soon after, he flashed a header across goal from a corner.
Savage and Welsh then combined well down the right, for Bas Savage to swing a cross right onto the head of Joss Labadie, but the youngsters well placed header was somehow clawed to safety by Forde.
Rovers deservedly doubled the lead soon after when Bakayogo found Thomas-Moore and his flick released Andy Robinson, he sent himself before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Andy Robinson on Loan from Leeds Sealed the Win for Rovers
Robinson nearly doubled his tally soon after when he struck a low 30 yards free kick, and it had to be tipped behind for a corner. John Welsh then fired a left footed volley just wide as rovers looked to add to their already impressive lead.
Andy Robinson was subbed on 82 minutes to a standing ovation, he was replaced by Craig Curran, and the sub set up Bas Savage but he shot well wide.
Gulacsi maybe his final contribution to the game in injury time, he made a smart low save to deny Millwall a consolation.
This was the final incident of the game, and Rovers saw out a massive three points keeping their hopes alive.
Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Millwall
How it Stands Now
19. Gillingham -13 50 points
20. Exeter -13 48 points
21. Tranmere -30 48 points
Last Games
Wycombe vs. Gillingham
Exeter vs. Huddersfield
Stockport vs. Tranmere
Joss Labadie
Possibly the unsung hero, but he was key with his break up play and starting new attacks, and his goal bound header deserved to hit the back of the net.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
01/05/2010 23:03
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Quote:@gony
roller coaster Rovers ! was it ever going to be any different ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I said weeks ago that I would drive to Leeds and pick up Andy myself. What a goal I smiled all the way back down the M6. Radio stated that when he scored the Leeds fans were also singing "there's only one AR" what a tribute to a fantastic goal.
