Tranmere Rovers
Jackson Toppled in Entertaining Fans Game
By Deadly Submarine
May 18 2010
After a two year unbeaten reign as Manager in Total Tranmere FC’s annual Prenton Park match, Mike Jackson was finally beaten on Saturday but conceded afterwards that it had been by far the best game played in its three year history on the hallowed turf despite the 4-2 scoreline.....
Mike Jackson Birthday XI 2 - 4 Nige Cooper Legends XI
Josh Dunroe Richard Jones x 3
Matt Jones Nigel Cooper
Referee: Michael Herzog (Liverpool)
Assistants: Michael Kimber and Toby Packard (Liverpool)
Whilst most of the sports-keen element of the UK were settling down to watch the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, 22 members of Total Tranmere FC were taking in part in a Cup Final of their own watched by family and friends in the annual Prenton Park post-season game.
As ever, Total Tranmere's Mike Jackson was Manager of one team and went into the game unbeaten in the past two years despite challenges from Managers Wayne Franks and Pete Glavin in recent years, but this time there was to be no hat-trick as Nigel Coopers Legends XI just about ddi enough to keep Jackson's Birthday XI at bay with a 4-2 win in a cracking rollercoaster game.
A crowd of between 80 and 100 people were in attendance as the game kicked off in bright sunshine at 2.30pm after Referee Mike Herzog from Liverpool had overseen the toss which was won by Nigel Cooper.
The teams lined up as follow...
Nigel Cooper Legends XI
Barrowman
Burgess N.Cooper (c) Glavin McKeown
Vernon Godwin Warrington Ward
R.Jones Lynch
Mike Jackson Birthday XI
Fletcher
Burrows Turner Smith (c) Jackson
Brilley Franks C.Cooper Chapman
M.Jones Dunroe
Referee - Michael Herzog (Liverpool)
Assistants - Michael Kimber and Toby Packard (Liverpool)
The game began on a fairly even footing with Jackson's team, playing in Total Tranmere FC's Blue and White striped kit, pushing forward through Dunroe and Jones upfront and whilst the game remained goalless for a while, the threat of Richard Jones upfront for the Orange and Blacks of Coopers Legends was always a point to be aware of.
John Godwin (Orange) and Mark Chapman Battle Watched by Mike Jackson
Indeed despite the Birthday XI perhaps having the better of the first fifteen minutes, it was Richard Jones who put the Legends ahead when a long hoof over the top set him through and goal for a tidy finish to make it 1-0 giving Fletcher no chance in the Blues' goal.
Shortly after taking the lead a couple of chances fell to the Blues causing danger for the leaders before an identical hoof ball goal saw Richard Jones grab his and his teams second again slotting past Fletcher into the same corner.
Jackson was trying his best to have an impact in his Birthday game and a superb tackle on Richard Jones towards the end of the half made his intentions clear but he was helpless to prevent Jones completing a first half hat-trick which gave a totally obscure half-time scoreline in comparison to the way the game had gone.
Half Time: Jackson Birthday XI 0 - 3 Coopers Legends XI
The second half saw the Birthday XI have a reshuffle with Dave Brilley moving to central midfield and Wayne Franks moving out to the left wing and the change seemed to have a huge effect as within ten minutes of the re-start the Birthday XI had drawn level through Josh Dunroe.
The midway point of the second half saw the Birthday XI score again to make the last quarter of the match both tense and interesting, Matt Jones scoring arguably the goal of the game into the top right of a helpless Barrowman's net.
Pete Glavin (Orange) Battles with Matt Jones for Possession
The Birthday eleven sensed a Tranmere against Southampton type comeback and continued to press through Dunroe and Chapman but couldn't find a way through.
Peter Ward has three chances to make the game safe late on as he beat an understandably tired (after a great performance at right-back) Mikey Burrows to go one on one with Fletcher but twice Fletch made quality saves and on the other occasion Ward shot horribly wide of goal.
Richard Jones could also have added his fourth but Fletch tipped around his post before the Orange and Blacks did add a fourth from a corner kick, Fletcher palmed the corner kick into the air and Manager Nigel Cooper headed home to make it 4-2.
The Blues continued to push forward but couldn't add a third goal and the game ended 4-2. A great time was had by all players and we hope for more of the same next season.
Full Time: Jackson Birthday XI 2 - 4 Coopers Legends XI
Josh Dunroe and Richard Jones
A post-match vote byall 22 players determined that for his first half hat-trick, Rich Jones was the Legends Man of the Match whilst a closer vote saw Josh Dunroe take the award for the Birthday XI just ahead of Rich Smith.
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18/05/2010 18:38
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Like from when you kicked it till it hits the net!
19/05/2010 12:32
Not like me to miss a good @#$%& up either!
M.
19/05/2010 23:30
Quote:Matthew the rover
Brilliant day! Gutted nobody got a photo of my goal though ha!
I heard it took 3 deflections and trickled over the line...
