Carlisle United 0-1 Tranmere Rovers

Last updated : 08 September 2007 By Matthew Jones
Curran the hero as Tranmere sink Carlisle
When I saw Carlisle were unlucky in the title, I mean not by the way they performed but on the account of the increadible Tranmere team which turned up at Brunton Park today.

A goal from Craig Curran capped off a magnificent team performance from Rovers, as they moved above todays opponents and into the automatic promotion slots in Coca-Cola League One.

Ronnie Moore made a number of changes to his Tranmere side, as Rovers started with the same team who had defeated Gillingham three weeks ago. Goodison, Zola, Coyne and McLaren returned to the starting line up from the side who lost to Morecambe in mid-week whilst Ahmed missed out through injury.

Carlisle had the first chance of the game as early as the second minute, with former Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham breaking into the Tranmere penalty area and trying to round 'keeper Danny Coyne. As he did, the Welsh international good a good hand on the ball and as the striker diverted his run, Ian Goodison was given time to run back and clear Graham's eventual shot effectively, but unconvincingly from the line.

It was the Wirral side who had the best of the early first-half exchanges however, as wingers Shuker and Davies attacked the Carlisle full-backs.

It didn't take long for Rovers to register their first shot of the match, Goodison again involved as he sent a free-header over from McLaren's pin-point cross before Steve Davies shot over from 30-yards soon after.

After 17-minutes, an inoquious ball down the line from Robbie Stockdale proved to be the end of Calvin Zola's game, as the tall striker suffered a hamstring injury chasing the ball and could now be out for about six weeks. He was replaced by Craig Curran.

On 22-minutes, Danny Coyne had a heart stopping moment as a Marc Bridge-Wilkinson cross which evaded everybody had Coyne scrambling before as the ball drifted just wide of the post.

The action was back down the other end soon after though, Davies heading Stockdale's cross narrowly over before Kieran Westwood made a fantastic double save for Carlisle in goal.

The 'keeper first made an excellent one handed save from Craig Curran's curling shot which was heading towards the top corner before rushing out to block Robbie Stockdale's rebound which was also heading towards the goal, sending the ball out for a corner.

On 33-minutes Bridge-Wilkinson saw his shot deflected narrowly wide whilst Shane Sherriff delt with every-single cross the Carlisle attackers threw at him on the Tranmere left.

With 42-minutes on the clock, Tranmere took a well deserved lead thanks to an excellent volley from Craig Curran, his first goal of the season.

A Carlisle corner was cleared to Greenacre who brought the ball down and waited for the run to be made by a Rovers player. When the time was right he delivered an inch perfect ball over the top to Shuker on the left, who composed himself after a slip from the Carlisle defender and crossed to Curran at the far post who vollied home to give Tranmere the lead.

The second half was a much more evan affair as Carlisle pushed for a winner but were kept quiet for large portions of the game by the excellent Tranmere defence of Stockdale, Chorley, Goodison and Sherriff.

Just before the hour mark, Tranmere looked to double their advantage as Jennings' shot heading towards the bottom corner was saved well low down by Westwood.

The Carlisle defence became stretched as they pushed forward for a winner, and Rovers had another chance, this time through Craig Curran who shot over from Greenacre's knock down.

However, The Cumbrians now began to get more involved in the game. Coyne saved well from Hackney just moments after the substitute had entered the field whilst the Welsh international was called on again on 70 minutes as he dived to save Danny Graham's header.

Carlisle had strong shouts for a penalty as Gall went down in the area but the referee correctly turned down the decision and Gall was soon replaced by Carlton with Lumsdon also coming on for Bridge-Wilkinson in a double subsitution for The Blues on 73-minutes.

On 79-minutes Carl Tremarco replaced Craig Curran who had already been struggling with injury before the game but had put in a magnificent display for his side.

Just four-minutes later Carlisle had their best chance to get an equaliser as Danny Coyne was forced to make a superb double-save after Ian Goodison twice lost his footing on the slippy playing surface to allow the Carlisle attacker in.

Coyne first made an excellent save from Carlton's attempted lob, instinctivly jumping to push the shot away from goal before running out to jump at the feet of the on rushing attacker and smother the ball.

Rovers had more chances to score the second as the Carlisle commited more and more players forward, with Greenacre failing to spot Carl Tremarco running away free on the left as Rovers looked to waste time when clearing a Carlisle corner.

Late on, the fault-less Robbie Stockdale was replaced by Anthony Kay, making his league debut for the club, whilst Carlisle won a number of corners and even sent their 'keeper forward for a few.

One further chance fell to Carlisle late on and again Coyne was called upon to save, as when the Cumbrians attacker looked certain to score from close range, the Tranmere number one made an excellent save with his knee's.

The referee originally signalled four minutes of injury time and after what seemed like an age the referee (who had a very good game it must be said) blew for full-time and left the travelling Tranmere fans celebrating.

On the subject of the fans, they were excellent today. Through-out the match the travelled Tranmere faithful gave excellent vocal backing to their team and, with the aid of two drums, many hands and many voices, they played the role of an excellent 12th man for their team today.

Rovers simply shone and outplayed their opposition today and it can be said that not many teams will go to Carlisle this year and not only win but keep a clean sheet too.

The defence and midfield were superb, winning every ball and every tackle, whilst Danny Coyne behind them was a wall and didn't look like conceeding when he was forced to save.

Up front, Zola started well and Curran continued his good work with a well taken goal whilst Greenacre was stunning, winning every header possible and putting in increadibly effort and work rate.

Jones' Man Of The Match: For me, there is only one person for this award today in Steve Jennings. The midfielder, who is five times the player who was at Tranmere at the start of last season, won every tackle, put in some brilliant passes and got forward well for Rovers today. He was a rock infront of the back four and if his performances continue like this a big club could come calling.