Gillingham 0-2 Tranmere Rovers

Last updated : 19 August 2007 By Matthew Jones
Greenacre goal sends Tranmere on the way to 2-0 win
Tranmere got off the mark for the season at the second time of asking this weekend as they picked up a superb 2-0 win at Gillingham, their first win against such opposition away from home since 1975.

Rovers were on top for much of the game, and despite allowing Gillingham some moments of pressure and a few chances, the win was never really in doubt after Steve Davies netted the Tranmere second.

Ronnie Moore named the same starting XI that has featured in both of Rovers opening two games, despite his side not yet picking up a win against either Leeds or Stockport, but there was one change on the substitutes bench as Adnan Ahmed replaced John Mullin.

Tranmere were on top from the off, with Chris Shuker forcing Simon Royce into a good save just 20 or so seconds into the match, the winger linking up well with right-back Robbie Stockdale before firing towards goal.

At the other end, Gillingham saw David Graham's 30-yard effort saved by goalkeeper Danny Coyne before Tranmere took the lead with an excellently worked goal.

Paul McLaren in the centre of midfield picked out Chris Shuker with a perfect pass on the right. Shuker carried the ball towards the goal-line before crossing towards Grenacre who headed past Royce from near the penalty spot, heading into the corner of the goal.

Straight after the kick off Tranmere could have had a second, Shuker again the provided but this time for Zola at the far post who's header forced Royce into a magnificent save with the ball heading towards the top corner.

When Gillingham came close to goal, they often failed to test Tranmere 'keeper Danny Coyne, with shots heading over or wide on a number of occassions, Southall and Brown the culprits towards the end of the second half.

Former Gillingham player Ben Chorley was having an excellent game for Rovers however, blocking a number of shots with whatever part of his body he could (apart from his hands and arms of course!) and if the ball did go out for a corner or a free-kick was awarded, it was often left-back Shane Sherriff heading the ball clear.

And so Tranmere went in at half time leading 1-0, with the fans hoping that what happened against Leeds seven days previously would not have happened again.

They need not have worried, as just five minutes after the re-start, striker-come-winger Steve Davies put Tranmere 2-0 up with a magnificent team and personal goal.

After a number of players through-out the Rovers team, Steve Davies finally picked up the ball after exchanging passes with Shane Sherriff. The 19-year old then cut inside the defence on the edge of the area and unleashed a brilliant right-footed shot which went into the bottom corner of the net, leaving Royce with no chance.

Now two goals ahead, Tranmere looked a bit more comfortable on the ball. They could have had a few more goals if it wasn't for the linesmans flag, as Zola and Greenacre were each flagged offside on a number of occassions, whilst Zola was also pulled back for fouling the defender when it appeared that the decision could go either way.

Gillingham began to see moe of the ball and Coyne was forced into a number of comfortable saves, one from former Rovers striker Delroy Facey as well as saving from Graham whilst Bentley headed over.

Defenders Chorley and Sherriff all made some key interceptions late on, with Sherriff clearing a number of dangerous crosses, whilst late on Ronnie Moore replaced Calvin Zola, who had been cautioned for persistant fouling, with Gareth Taylor.

The final whilstle was greeted by jubilant cheers from the Tranmere end where about 400 Rovers fans were housed. The performance had been excellent, possibly one of the best under Ronnie Moore since he arrived last Summer, and Tranmere are off the mark for the season.

Jones' Man Of The Match: It was an excellent team performance and it's hard to pick a man of the match from this game. Davies and Shuker were excellent on the wings and they fed off McLaren's excellent passing. The defence held strong too, and therefore it is Shane Sherriff who win's todays man of the match. The left-back was marvelous in defence with some excellent clearing headers which could have saved the match for Tranmere.