Blackpool 3-2 Tranmere

Last updated : 26 April 2007 By Matthew Jones
Mullin and McAteer see red as Tranmere's play-off dreams fade away
Tranmere's play-off hopes now appear to be all but over after Rovers, reduced to nine men for most of the second half, suffered a 3-2 defeat against play-off rivals Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Ronnie Moore made two changes from the side defeated by Carlisle eight days ago, as Calvin Zola and Ian Goodison replaced Kevin Ellison and Shane Sherriff. Chris Greenacre this meant was moved to right-midfield, with Shuker on the left and Taylor upfront with Zola. Ian Goodison slotted in at centre-back with Carl Tremarco shifting across to left-back.

Rovers had the first chance of the game through Calvin Zola, as the tall striker weaved his way through the Blackpool defence before seeing a weak left footed shot saved by Lewis Edge before the Tangerine's went on the offensive, Parker shooting straight into Wards arms.

On ten minutes, Blackpool scored thanks to a terrible error by Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Ward.

The experienced glove-man recieved the ball and attempting a quick throw out to Carl Tremarco at left-back, Ward sent the ball straight into the back of Parker, not even looking at goal. Parker turned round and took the ball in his stride before calmly netting through Ward's legs to give Blackpool the lead.

Two minutes later, Blackpool almost got a second as Morrell forced Ward into a save from close range, with the goalkeeper getting a cheer as he managed to proply clear the ball from the Tranmere fans.

Soon after, Tranmere were back on the attack as John Mullin sliced wide from Zola's cross on the left before Greenacre was just beaten to the ball by Edge from Shuker's cross.

On 18-minutes, Chris Greenacre cut in from the right and saw his left footed effort saved by Edge before Tranmere's day got worse as Carl Tremarco was stretchered off with a hamstring injury, replaced by Shane Sherriff.

Blackpool almost doubled their goal tally for the afternoon minutes later as Chris Brandon was allowed to drift into the box before firing into the side netting.

However, Tranmere were to equalise with the next attack of the game. Chris Greenacre held up the ball before finding Stockdale. Stockdale played the ball inside to McAteer who crossed to Taylor. The former Wales international headed the ball down to Zola who stabbed the ball into the roof of the net to pull Rovers level.

Tranmere could have had a penalty soon after with Greenacre being held back by former Tranmere player Mike Jackson whilst another foul, perhaps a more important one, was again ignored by referee Olivier minutes later.

Robbie Stockdale had his ankles taken from behind about half way inside the Rovers half. Play continued and the ball made it's way to Hoolahan on the right-wing who drifted inside unchallanged before netting past Ward.

However, Mr. Olivier did blow his whistle minutes later at 'keeper Edge dropped the ball into his net under a soft challange from Taylor, with the referee awarding Blackpool one of a number of questionable decisions.

Tranmere almost had the ball in the back of the net again just minutes before half time, as Chris McCready's long ball forward was actually won cleanly by Gareth Taylor. Taylor flicked the ball onto Zola who saw his acrobatic effort sail narrowly wide.

The start of the second half saw Shuker and Greenacre swap wings as Ronnie Moore pushed for that second goal and it came almost immediately.

A foul allowed McAteer the chance to swing a free-kick into the area. The Tranmere player/coach found Greenacre with his cross who flicked the ball onto Zola. Zola shot first time but saw his effort saved by Edge, however the ball was only palmed straight back to the striker who netted second time round to make the scores level and send the excellent travelling support of 1,023 Tranmere support mental.

Tranmere now looked set to take the game by the scruff of the neck and win it as they piled forward and put pressure on the Blackpool defence. However, ust after the 50-minute mark their chances of winning all but dissapeared as two players were given their marching orders.

John Mullin and Claus Jorgensen came together in a 50-50 challange although Mullin was a bit late to the ball. Mullin was given his marching orders by Olivier although a yellow card would probably have been a fairer punishment.

A mass brawl followed with players from both sides getting involved. Jason McAteer was sent off for his involvement in the brawl which saw him stamp on Jorgensen who was still making the most of Mullin's tackle, whilst Blackpool number four Keith Southern was not punishment despite swinging an elbow and raising his hands to McAteer. Chris Shuker was also booked for his involvement in the incident.

Tranmere were still in the game at 2-2 however, and Ronnie Moore looked to strenghten Tranmere's defence as Danny Harrison replaced Chris Shuker in a 4-3-1 formation. Soon after, Gareth Taylor was replaced by Kevin Ellison as Calvin Zola, in search of his hatrick, moved upfront on his own.

For the next 28 minutes, nearly all the play was in the Tranmere half of the field as Blackpool pushed for a winner whilst Tranmere defended excellently.

With wide open spaces on the field, Blackpool easily spread the ball around as they often had two or three men free, usually Morrell and Parker upfront.

On 74-minutes they eventually got the goal which would prove to be the winner thanks to a header from Andy Morrell, netting from Evatt's chip after a neat move down the Blackpool right.

The Tangerine's then mainly took the ball to the corner in an attemp to time waste. However, they need not have bothered as Rovers were unlikely to threaten with nine men.

They did have a couple of chances, with Zola again shooting weakly at Edge whilst Greenacre headed straight at Edge.

In the end, Tranmere lost the game and their promotion chances are probably over for another season, despite Ronnie Moore claiming they are still on.

It would be nice to see the Tranmere manager give youth players such as Craig Curran and Paul Henry a go in the first team now as both have been very impressive in the reserves this season.

Jones' Man Of The Match: Man of the Match today was the returning Calvin Zola who got two well taken goals and was a constant threat to the Blackpool defence. Hopefully the Congolese striker can be more consistent with his performances to cement a first team place.