Walsall 0-0 Tranmere
Tranmere made a decent start to the festive period with a 0-0 draw down in Birmingham at the Bescott Stadium against Walsall.
Walsall hadn't lost at the Bescott since September before Kick-off, and had won their last three games there, scoring six and conceeding just one, so Rovers have to be happy with a draw.
Rovers made a couple of changes from the Penalty-Shoot out defeat to Carlisle six days ago. Simon Francis returned after being cup-tied, replacing Paul Linwood whilst Chris Greenacre returned from injury atlast to replace Steve Davies in the starting XI.
As for the opposition, they lined up with former Rovers legend Joe Murphy in goal, the only person to have Kept goal for Rovers in a major cup final, and former Rovers midfielder Simon Osbourne also started for the Saddlers.
Rovers fans were also suprised by the sudden change of formation by Brian Little. Little, who has been obsessed with a 4-4-2 formation so far this season suddenly changed to 3-5-2, and the change worked....sort of.
Rovers, to be honest, were no better than average in the first half. Walsall were the first to apply pressure.
After Simon Francis stood on the ball, Walsall's leading scorer Matty Fryatt struck over into the travelling Tranmere fans.
Gareth Roberts had a number of chances for Rovers. A shot set up by Harrison went wide of Murphys post, whilst a free-kick was struck well over by the Welsh international and a shot from the left wing was saved well by Murphy just underneath his cross bar.
On numerous occasions, Tranmere's defence failed to clear the ball. Miss-kicks were as frequent as missed tackles. Ian Goodison in particular favoured air kicks and sliced scissor kicks to clearing the ball long down field, whilst Mike Jackson continued to make poor errors at the back.
However, at half time, it was 0-0. A result Brian Little should and probably would have been pleased with, as the fans were happy.
There was one half time change for Rovers, as Ian Goodison limped down the tunnel with another leg injury, to be replaced by Paul Linwood. Rovers therefore started the second half still playing 3-5-2, with Linwood, Jackson and Sharps at the back.
It was Tranmere who started the second half the better. Shooting towards their away supporters, the players gave it their all and had numerous chances to bag Rovers three points.
It was Tranmere who had the first chance of the half. Delroy Facey shooting wide from a flick on by leading scorer Chris Greenacre.
Facey continued his lively antics which had caused Walsall so much trouble in the first half, with only a last chance challange from Julian Bennett in the area stopping the powerhouse centre forward from troubling the shakey Joe Murphy.
The tackle should have resulted in the striker getting a penalty a Bennett got nowhere near the ball and clearly took the inform strikers legs. However, only a goalkick was given and the challange was Faceys last action in the game. He limped down the tunnel and was replaced by 17-year old striker Steven Davies.
On 67 minutes, Chris Greenacre shot just past the post after a flick on from Midfielder Steven Jennings.
Five minutes later, Rovers thought they had taken the lead. A brilliant curling effort from Mark Rankine, 20 yards from goal, was saved well but then spilled by Joe Murphy, diving to his left. Steven Davies popped up and netted the celebrations but the Assistant referee haulted his celebrations.
I haven't as yet seen the replay of the goal, but I don't think it was offside, as Walsall had a defender on the goal-line when the shot came in. But as I say, I haven't yet seen a replay.
On 77 minutes, Joe Murphy was called into action again by Steve Davies. Davies from the edge of the area shot after shrugging off two defenders but this time Murphy saved well and held on to the shot.
Murphy was taunted all game by Rovers followers. Chants such as "Who ate all the pies", "You cost us at Wembley", "Joe ate all the pies" and "Greedy Irish *******" were shouted at the former Rovers favourite, who had a mixed game. Some good saves came inbetween poor kicking and some dodgy saves.
It was Murphys opposite number who was the hero of the hour though. Steve Wilson, who has had a horrible start to his Tranmere career made three saves to remember which kept Rovers in the game.
One of those saves is quite possibly the best I have ever seen. From one yard out, Fryatt had a header which was saved at point blank range by Wilson who easily had his best game for Tranmere.
Tranmere had other chances, with a Steve Davies shot deflected wide and then Mike Jackson headed over from the resulting corner as Rovers searched for that first league win in a month.
However, niether side could break the deadlock as the game finished in an unlikely 0-0 draw. Before kick off, a 0-0 draw was 8/1, whilst the more likely 1-1 was 11/2.
To be fair, Tranmere probably should have won the game but for heroics by Steve Wilson, Walsall could have grabbed an undeserved victory. But a draw is a draw, and Tranmere maintain their reasonlably good away record.
Jones' Man Of The Match: There are three contenders. Steve Wilson, who was outstanding, Mark Rankine and Simon Francis.
Mark Rankine was once again the engine room of the midfield, charging from 18-yard box to 18-yard box through-out the 90 minutes. Some good shots and crosses also aided Rovers cause.
Simon Francis too was brilliant. Excellent defensively, whilst he put some brilliant crosses into the box and went on some fantastic mazey runs down the right-wing. The boy must be signed up!
However, today's Man Of The Match is Steve Wilson. So little is expected of him by many after a poor two weeks for Rovers. However, today he showed his true colours. Saving with every part of his anatomy and undoubtably putting in his best performance for Rovers which saved them on a number of occasions. Well Done Steve!
