3rd Goalscorer

By Mark Ridgway
January 1 2008

Rovers led twice and went into half time 2-1 up but it was 2-2 after the break and then Ian Goodison was sent off, Crewe then lead before Rovers equalised again, but Tranmere lost in the end to a goal with only a few minutes left. The red card was the main talking point and brought mixed views from the fans.

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It didn't take long for the goals to begin as on eight minutes Rovers took the lead.  Paul McLaren's corner was brought down by Andy Taylor and the Blackburn loanee rifled a left foot shot into the top corner to send the travelling fans wild.

On 17 minutes it looked to be 1-1 ex-Rover Chris McCready smashed the ball home only to realised his team mate was offside in the build up.  At the other end Stockdale hit a crisp shot just wide as the end to end action continued.

Half an hour was gone when Antony Kay bundled Rix over for a penalty and Roberts blasted the ball home.

Just a minute later and Lynch was left isolated in he left back position with Greenacre and Myre-Williams closing in on him, the winger won the ball off him and Greenacre was left clean through and he made no mistakes powering into the top corner from a tight angle. The striker was delighted with the goal celebrating with team mate and fans.

Half-Time: Crewe 1-2 Tranmere

The second half had only just begun when Roberts equalised for the second time when he headed in from a corner and it was 2-2.

The game was fairly even until the 65th minutes when disaster struck for Rovers. Ian Goodison tackled Lowe and the Crewe man was left on the floor rolling around in agony.  Goodison was shown a straight red to the disgust of the travelling fans.  The red card left Ronnie Moore fuming and he was nearly sent off himself.  

Myrie-Williams was subbed for Chorley to regain four defenders at the back. From the resulting free-kick Maynard headed Crewe ahead and although handball was claimed, nothing was given and the red card had changed the game.

Crewe then planned to hang on for a 3-2 win, but Rovers dismay turned to ecstacy when it was 3-3 with fifteen minutes left.  Paul McLaren curled in a free kick and expertly found the bottom corner. The fans was were going mental and the obvious chant coming from the stand was "we only need 10 men"

Danny Coyne then did his bit to keep the scores level saving spectacularly from Maynard on two occasions.

Crewe were to win the game after all though when substitute O'Donnell scored from a corner to end the thriller with only a few minutes left.

Full-Time: Crewe 4-3 Tranmere

Paul McLaren

Another great day for the Rovers midfield with either of Jennings or McLaren as Man of the Match contenders but for his goal and general contribution. McLaren gets the nod for this game.