Tranmere Rovers
Delight for Rovers as Stockport Win Seals Safety
By Deadly Submarine
May 9 2010
It was a Super Saturday afternoon at Edgeley Park for Rovers fans as a shock 3-0 away win sealed League One safety for another season thanks to goals from Ian Goodison, Ian Thomas-Moore and Joss Labidie...........
Stockport C 0 - 3 Tranmere R
Ian Goodison 38
Ian Thomas-Moore 53
Joss Labidie 76
Attendance: 7,208
Amongst Rovers fans spirits were extremely high considering the current predicament, in brief the situation with the one game left was that Rovers occupied the final relegation place.
The aim was to better Exeters result against Huddersfield, should that not be possible beat Stockport whilst Hartlepool draw or lose to Brentford, or the long shot of Gillingham losing at Wycombe.
On entrance to the ground there were plenty of other inflatable's flying round including rings, lilos, parrots and dragons, along with some spontaneous confetti making by ripping up the card from our elaborate balloons. As the daunting blue and white flag was dragged over our heads, adding to the almost electric atmosphere, so when the players left the tunnel the fans were ready to explode with excitement.
The team line up saw Liverpool loanee Peter Gulacsi continue in goal, whilst in front on him was the usual defence of Shay Logan, Marlon Broomes, Ian Goodison and Zoumana Bakayogo. The three man midfield consisted of West Brom loanee Joss Labadie, youngster Ash Taylor and John Welsh's replacement due to injury, Gareth Edds. The front three consisted of latest hero Andy Robinson, goal threat Ian Thomas-Moore and big Bas Savage.
The actual game began in surprisingly low tempo, and with the ball not even threatening a goal but early news broke that Huddersfield had shot into an early lead at Exeter, advantage Rovers!
Should the results stay the same a draw would be enough, but this obviously couldn't affect the performance. The first chance at Edgeley Park fell to Gareth Edds, the Australian did well to beat his marker and give himself a sight of goal, however he wasted the chance blasting over.
Stockport's first real chance fell to Griffin, however his header went comfortably wide of the upright and soon after news broke from the internet and radio sources that Exeter had drawn level and we were back to square one.
Rovers began to dominate proceedings with the midfield trio working their socks off in rovers engine room and Ash Taylor came close to connecting with Goodison's cross.
However soon after the game took a turn for the better when Bakayogo's throw in found Bas Savage and he took his time to tee up Ian Goodison, it fell to the Jamaican perfectly to rifle home into the roof of the net.
At this exact moment the two sides of the ground occupied by Rovers fans erupted and never in recent years has there been such delirium in the Rovers travelling support, the goal was soon acknowledged with chants of "We are staying up!".
Over 3,000 Tranmere fans were now in a buoyant mood and were almost celebrating a second soon after. Thomas-Moore forced Rigby into a decent save, only for the strikers rebound to sail well over the crossbar.
Joss Labadie then had a long range effort scrape the post as Rovers continued to dominate, however Gulacsi had to be aware to keep out Jabo Ibehre's low effort. This was the last action of the half, and the players returned to the dressing mood in good spirits, added to with the news that Gillingham had gone one down at Wycombe.
Half Time: Stockport County 0 - 1 Tranmere Rovers
The first meaningful attack of the second half saw Rovers double their advantage. From a corner, Savage gained possession at the back post, he took his time to set up Bakayogo who produced a perfect low cross which was diverted in by Ian Thomas-Moore.
The striker immediately made his way to the railway end to celebrate with the elated travellers, Rovers now in the driving seat for safety.
Next from a right wing cross Labadie headed narrowly wide, as Rovers went in search for another net bulger. Again Gulacsi had to be aware to keep out Pilkington's long range drive.
Soon after Vincent found himself clean through on goal, but the youngster couldn't keep his cool as he failed to hit the target. Stockport were desperate for a route back into the game, but Rovers defence was comfortably controlling the game, they could only watch when Johnson curled a dangerously placed free kick well over.
News now broke that Wycombe were now 2-0 up against Gillingham, meaning it would be them that faced the drop and soon after they added a third, meaning Tranmere were pretty much safe and we could relax.
Even more so, soon after a weak Bas Savage effort was fumbled by Rigby and diverted into the path of Labadie to tap in an open goal and make it 3-0, the day was just getting better and better for us.
Ash Taylor then fired wide and Ian Thomas-Moore tested Rigby as Rovers looked to add extra gloss to an already handsome result. Gulacsi denied Stockport a final league one goal, and Rovers saw out the biggest result in years.
The 3-0 win coupled with Gillingham's 3-0 loss, meant it was the Gills that dropped and the White's were safe. It was a superb effort from the boys who in November looked doomed at the bottom of League One, however the main praise should go to Les Parry along with the chief and Shaun.
After Barnes and McAteer had made such a hash of management, this day couldn't have been envisaged by even the most optimistic Rovers fan.
What a superb way to end a distressing season, but we stuck together and deserved a chance to celebrate at long last. Bring on next season with visits to Hillsborough and St Marys and not Stevenage and Barnet.
Full Time: Stockport County 0 - 3 Tranmere Rovers
Ian Thomas-Moore
Just like throughout the season the captain lead by example and ran his socks of, he has arguably been the catalyst for survival with a number of crucial goals. Another massive goal made the game safe today and it was perfectly taken.
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09/05/2010 11:04
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