A crazy game of football. The first half tonight was the worst we have played at Prenton Park since Mellon took over: utterly woeful. We were slow-paced, disjointed and could not string two passes together. There was a very subdued atmosphere in the ground and that seemed to transmit to the players who never got going, Harris, McNulty and Norwood in particular having a terrible 45 minutes, and Tollitt taking a backward step. Even in the first five minutes of the second period there was sloppiness at the back and we were lucky not to concede again. Only Buxton and Sutton came out of the first half with any credit.
Then it was the Andy Cook show. I don't think it would be true to say he turned the game round single-handed, as there were two or three great moves in the build-up to his goals, and a couple of good assists for the maligned Liam Ridehalgh. However, his finishing tonight was emphatic and sublime. Each goal was different: a tap-in, a great strike from the edge of the box, a back post header and a slightly fortunate poacher's effort. Having gained the lead we regained our composure and played some good stuff for the remainder of the game.
I think tonight's game emphasises just how important the goal threat of our two strikers is: mediocre performances can become very good ones in the blink of an eye. The title is gone, but the way the other top seven sides are performing at the moment, you would have to fancy our chances in the play-offs if we can secure second place.