Tranmere Rovers
Super Rovers Stun Runaway League Leaders
By Mark Ridgway
March 12 2009
Mark Ridgway reports for Total Tranmere on last night's 2-0 home win for Tranmere over runaway League Leaders Leicester City which ended the Foxes 22 game unbeaten run and in the process moving Ronnie's men ever closer to the play-off places.
Tranmere R 2 - 0 Leicester C
Kay 47
Jennings (pen) 83
Attendance - 6,032
Leicester arrived at Prenton Park on the back of a 23-game unbeaten streak but that was soon to end thanks to an superb Rovers performance. A great atmosphere also helped as Antony Kay drove in the opener and Steve Jennings doubled the lead from the spot seven minutes from time.
There were two changes to the side that drew with Northampton as Danny Coyne replaced John Achterberg for his first game in a month whilst Ian Moore dropped out late and was replaced by Terry Gornell meaning that the team looked like this...
Coyne
Shotton Chorley Goodison Taylor
Mayor Kay Jennings Barnett
Savage Gornell
Rovers started well and more than held their own against the visitors. On eleven minutes, Antony Kay nutmegged a defender before whipping in a low cross that was cleared away.
Kay then drove wide from 25 yards after Steve Jennings did well to set him u before Bas Savage headed wide from a cross by the impressive home debutant Danny Mayor.
Savage wasted a glorious chance for the hosts when Kay set him up perfectly with a cushioned header. The striker beat his man but didn't connect with his effort and it was easy in the end for the keeper.
Shortly afterwards, a defensive error let in Savage again but this time the keeper was out quickly but even though Savage didn't connect properly with the ball he still won the corner.
The last chance of the first-half was a Ryan Shotton header that went just over, so at half-time an impressive Rovers performance was lacking just one thing - a goal.
Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 0 - 0 Leicester City
With the first chance of the second half Rovers took a deserved lead. Danny Mayor did well and played in Savage who knockedthe ball back for captain Antony Kay who drilled home from outside the area - another crucial Kay goal.
Just moments later Steve Howard's header was cleared off the line by Terry Gornell and Tom Cleverley's volley went over the bar shortly after.
Rovers were defending superbly in the game as Goodison and Shotton worked well to keep Fryatt at bay. Shotton was also key going forward as he broke down the right and set up a chance for Terry Gornell.
Antony Kay Opened the Scoring
Tranmere continued to play well but King shot wide from range and Max Gradel was also introduced for Leicester. Andy Taylor's corner was met by Gornell, whose header was cleared off the line before Antony Kay then headed straight at Stockdale from another Andy Taylor set piece.
Taylor produced an unbelievable piece of defending to deny Fryatt as the 29 goal striker turned in the six yard box and was denied by a wonderful hook tackle from the left back.
On the other wing, Gradel broke down the left and was set to put it on a plate for Fryatt before a lovely slide tackle from Shotton denied him. The same played then headed clear of danger as Howard was prowling.
Barnett did well to set up Savage whose cross-shot went just wide before the wingerthen did better as he ran the length of the pitch before finding Savage again but this time the striker lost out.
Savage made amends minutes later though when he was he was brought down by former England defender Chris Powell, and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The question was who would take it? Kay and Shotton both fancied it but the responsibility fell to Steve Jennings who confidently found the bottom right corner and put the result beyond doubt.
Taylor cut inside and hit a fierce right footed drive goalwards only for Stockdale to keep it out with a fine low one handed save and that was the last chance as the referee blew the final whistle to the joy of the Rovers staff and fans alike.
The home fans stayed show their appreciation for the performance of the season. The fans had played a key role throughout with the Kop and right side of the Johnny king especially singing right the way through.
Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 2 - 0 Leicester City
Andy Taylor
One of the hardest choices for the award, anyone could have got it. Goodison, Shotton, Barnett and Kay were immense but the award has to go to Andy Taylor, definitely back to his best, he defended bravely and supported the attack at any opportunity, could have scored and the tackle on Fryatt was out of this world!
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12/03/2009 20:50
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