Tranmere 0-0 Carlisle |
28 December 2009 | Written by Paul Harper |
 Tranmere kept another clean sheet as they ground out a goalless draw with Carlisle United at Prenton Park.
Fog lifted over Birkenhead enough for the game to go ahead, although given the quality of football on offer, many of the 6,313 spectators may have wished the game had been called off.
Yet again, Les Parry opted for an unchanged starting eleven with Ash Taylor retaining his place in defence with Marlon Broomes returning from suspension but had to settle for bench warming duties.
The visitors began the game strongly and Adam Clayton, on loan to the Cumbrians from Manchester City, fired an early effort which Luke Daniels did well to save at his near post.
Tranmere created a few half chances and Terry Gornell fired wide after a good low cross by Zoumana Bakayogo, who has extended his contract until the end of the season. Craig Curran also fired high and wide on the volley after another Bakayogo cross was only half cleared.
Halfway through the first period came arguably the strangest event of the season so far. With the ball stuck in the middle of the park, the assistant referee on the other side of the pitch took a tumble.
It appears that he collided with Tranmere substitute Michael Ricketts who was warming up down the line. He was on the deck for a couple of minutes, unsurprisingly after being knocked down by a heavyweight, but after being treated by manager/physio Parry he recovered back to his feet to continue officiating.
Shortly before half time, Carlisle came close to opening the scoring. A cross came in from the left hand side, and Clayton raced into the penalty area and met the ball sweetly on the volley only for his effort to drift just wide of the post.
That was that in terms of action before the interval, as both teams appeared to have left their recent good form behind in their Christmas stockings. Santa, if you have it, can we please have it back asap?
In the first attack of the second period, Paul McLaren put over a free-kick and Ash Taylor leapt the highest but could only direct his header inches the wrong side of the post.
Rovers were dominating proceedings after the break but lacked the final ball to create a clear-cut chance on goal, or when they did they lacked the finish to put the ball into the net.
Somehow, the scoresheet remained blank on 63 minutes. John Welsh played the ball forward. The pass was deflected up in the air and bounced towards Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin but Curran chased the ball down and managed to beat the keeper to the ball and his shot hit the underside of the crossbar.
The rebound came to Ian Thomas-Moore who had all the time in the world but instead of hitting the empty net, or indeed walking the ball into the goal as he had the time, he placed a tame shot wide and into the side netting to the disbelief of the home supporters.
Moments later, Shay Logan did incredibly well down the right wing. With some neat interchanging passes, he broke into the penalty area and managed to fire away a volley which he could only direct straight at Collin between the Carlisle sticks, in what proved to be the last real goalscoring opportunity of the afternoon.
Chris Shuker came on with a quarter of an hour to go, but the tricky winger couldn't alter the game as it played out without any other efforts on goal.
Tranmere remain in 22nd while Carlisle move up into 15th position as Rovers move onto their next match in the FA Cup on Sunday evening against Premier League side Wolves.
Tranmere: (4-3-3) Daniels; Logan, Taylor, Goodison, Bakayogo; Welsh, McLaren, Edds; Curran, Gornell (Shuker 76), Thomas-Moore.
Subs not used: Collister, Cresswell, Broomes, Barnett, Fraughan, Ricketts.
|
Next Match |
Last Match |
Yeovil v Tranmere
League One
11.9.2010
Kick-off: 15:00
|
|
Tranmere v Peterborough Utd
League One
4.9.2010
Score: 1 - 0
 Match report |
|
|
Match postponed as the pitch at Brentford is waterlogged. The match will be rescheduled at a later date.
|
Marvin Sordell joins on loan Les Parry has signed Watford's Marvin Sordell on a month loan deal. After losing out to several targets, the first year pro will be available for selection for Tranmere's home game against Oldham. Les added, "We've been short of goals recently and hopefully Marvin will bring us some added firepower. He's fast and strong and will be a good addition to our squad". |
Bakayogo extends deal Tranmere full back Zoumana Bakayogo who has impressed with his performances over recent weeks has extended his contract until the end of the season. He added: "I'm very happy to have signed. I really like this club and the players and I'm happy here. |
|
|
|
Date
|
Competition
|
Home
|
Away
|
Score
|
|
09.09.2005
|
League One |
Tranmere
|
Bradford City |
2 - 2
|
|
09.09.2000
|
League One
|
Wolves |
Tranmere
|
1 - 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pos |
Team |
Pld |
Pts |
13. |
Walsall |
5 |
6 |
14. |
Exeter City |
4 |
5 |
15. |
Tranmere |
5 |
5 |
16. |
Hartlepool |
5 |
5 |
17. |
Bristol Rovers |
5 |
5 |
|
