Tranmere Rovers bowed out of the play-offs in style last night after a 2-0 win at Prenton Park against Hartlepool United. The evening its self was magic. An amazing atmosphere inside Prenton Park, created by the 2,000 or so traveling Hartlepool fans and the 11,000 or so Tranmere fans made the night magic purely by the support the fans gave their team throughout the game. The Kop was nearly full, a sight never to be forgotten and one of the best sights in football. It's simply a shame how half the people on the Kop last night will not be returning to Prenton Park until the next time the Super Whites have a "big game" such as the Play-offs again.
Anyway, onto the game. The thirteen players who had any length of time on the pitch for Rovers last night were stunning, amazing, mindblowing, didn't know when to give up. Each one gave 110% and more to ensure the game atleast went to penaltie where Rovers sadly met their downfall. Rovers had a very good first half, having numerous chances on goal. Iain Hume coming closer with a shot on the turn which rattled the cross bar before falling to Ian Goodison who failed to do anything with the ball. Whilst Hartlepool keeper, Dimi Konstantopoulos made two or three very good saves from Hume and Dadi. Konstantopoulos was probably the Hartlepool man of the match along with Hartlepool center back Michael Nelson who made several crucial and fantastic tackles keeping the game at either 0-0, 1-0 or 2-0.
The second half was much the same from the Rovers boys. Everybody put in 110% and there was a stunning performance from David Beresford on the Left Wing. Beresford replaced Ian Goodison after 55 minutes and guided Rovers to extra time.
It was Ryan Taylor who got Tranmere's first goal, after Eugene Dadi was pushed over five yards from the edge of the penalty area. Ryan Taylor stepped up to take the free-kick, and like 95% of the stuff he did on the night, he placed it beautifully. The ball curled over the wall and round into the bottom corner of the net. The keeper got a hand to it, however he could not stop the ball from going in.
Enter David Beresford on for Ian Goodison. From then on, the little left winger ran the game. Putting in three or four superb crosses and going on some great runs down the wing before sending the 11,000 Tranmere fans mental with a wonderful goal. After a goal mouth scramble, the ball popped out to David Beresford 10 yards out to the left of the goal. Beresford had a forrest of players infront of him, just about 22 people were in the box at the time. Beresford hit the ball first time and Konstantopoulos watched the ball curl magnificently into the right hand side of the goal. The Rovers faithful went mad, about ten of them sadly invading the pitch, however, this did not show their joy. I was jumping on the seat infront of me, waving my flag, thumping my mate on the back. "We've equalised! Come on! WE ARE GOING UP!" Only 4 minutes left and it was 2-2 on aggragate. Also in the half were a couple of pther screamers from Rovers. Iain Hume had a splendid volley saved by the Hartlepool keeper and Ryan Taylor and Danny Harrison also watched shots go close. However, a third goal for Rovers (which seemed most likely) could not be found, and so 22 tired men went into extra time.
In extra time, not much was created. David Beresford, now Magic Beresford had two or three runs down the left which sadly came to nothing in the first period of extra time and in the second period, Rovers tired, and it was Hartlepool who looked most likely to score, a high percentage of their 8 shots coming in extra time when Rovers were tired.
Therefore, with niether team able to score, a Penalty Shoot out came and sadly, for the second time this season, Rovers were beaten on Penalties.
Firstly, Ryan Taylor saw his penalty saved by Konstantopolous, which shocked the Rovers fans. Strachan then scored giving Hartlepool the 1-0 lead. However, it was 1-1 after the next round, Paul Hall scoring for Tranmere then Tinkler's penalty was saved by Achtoberg. Roberts, Porter, Hume, Robson, Dagnall, Westwood, Beresford and Sweeney then all scored, making it 5-5 with sudden-death already underway. However, Ian Sharps next stepped up to take the Rovers penalty. A confusing choice, with players such as Danny Harrison and Mark Rankine still elligable to take a penalty, however, Sharps it was. Sharps' penalty was almost identical to Ryan Taylors. Not far off straight down the middle and not enough power. Konstantopoulos saved giving Hartlepool the advantage. Then Humphries stepped up for Hartlepool, knowing scoring would clinch the game for his side. He did just this, sending Achtoberg the wrong way. Hartlepool winning the shoot out 6-5 but really, the tie was drawn 2-2.
My Man Of The Match was really an impossible choice. I thought Danny Harrison had a particually good game in midfield, winning alot of headers and tackles, whilst Eugene Dadi also won alot in the air and looked sharp for Rovers. Ryan Taylor also had a fantastic night. Everything but the penalty and one or two shots went right for him, his passing was excellent as was his crossing. However, I give the Man Of The Match to David Beresford. So little expected of him, so much done! Beresford changed the game. Brilliant runs and crossing with a stunning goal to cap off an excelent performance. My Man Of The Match, David Beresford.
Finally, I'd like to say thank you to the Rovers players. Last night, you made me, and many other Tranmere fans proud to be a Tranmere Rovers fan. You gave all you could get and more. Penalties is really not the way to decide a game. However, there is always next year.
Thanks for a very good season. You have made me a very proud fan indeed and good luck to Hartlepool in the play-off final too.
Anyway, onto the game. The thirteen players who had any length of time on the pitch for Rovers last night were stunning, amazing, mindblowing, didn't know when to give up. Each one gave 110% and more to ensure the game atleast went to penaltie where Rovers sadly met their downfall. Rovers had a very good first half, having numerous chances on goal. Iain Hume coming closer with a shot on the turn which rattled the cross bar before falling to Ian Goodison who failed to do anything with the ball. Whilst Hartlepool keeper, Dimi Konstantopoulos made two or three very good saves from Hume and Dadi. Konstantopoulos was probably the Hartlepool man of the match along with Hartlepool center back Michael Nelson who made several crucial and fantastic tackles keeping the game at either 0-0, 1-0 or 2-0.
The second half was much the same from the Rovers boys. Everybody put in 110% and there was a stunning performance from David Beresford on the Left Wing. Beresford replaced Ian Goodison after 55 minutes and guided Rovers to extra time.
It was Ryan Taylor who got Tranmere's first goal, after Eugene Dadi was pushed over five yards from the edge of the penalty area. Ryan Taylor stepped up to take the free-kick, and like 95% of the stuff he did on the night, he placed it beautifully. The ball curled over the wall and round into the bottom corner of the net. The keeper got a hand to it, however he could not stop the ball from going in.
Enter David Beresford on for Ian Goodison. From then on, the little left winger ran the game. Putting in three or four superb crosses and going on some great runs down the wing before sending the 11,000 Tranmere fans mental with a wonderful goal. After a goal mouth scramble, the ball popped out to David Beresford 10 yards out to the left of the goal. Beresford had a forrest of players infront of him, just about 22 people were in the box at the time. Beresford hit the ball first time and Konstantopoulos watched the ball curl magnificently into the right hand side of the goal. The Rovers faithful went mad, about ten of them sadly invading the pitch, however, this did not show their joy. I was jumping on the seat infront of me, waving my flag, thumping my mate on the back. "We've equalised! Come on! WE ARE GOING UP!" Only 4 minutes left and it was 2-2 on aggragate. Also in the half were a couple of pther screamers from Rovers. Iain Hume had a splendid volley saved by the Hartlepool keeper and Ryan Taylor and Danny Harrison also watched shots go close. However, a third goal for Rovers (which seemed most likely) could not be found, and so 22 tired men went into extra time.
In extra time, not much was created. David Beresford, now Magic Beresford had two or three runs down the left which sadly came to nothing in the first period of extra time and in the second period, Rovers tired, and it was Hartlepool who looked most likely to score, a high percentage of their 8 shots coming in extra time when Rovers were tired.
Therefore, with niether team able to score, a Penalty Shoot out came and sadly, for the second time this season, Rovers were beaten on Penalties.
Firstly, Ryan Taylor saw his penalty saved by Konstantopolous, which shocked the Rovers fans. Strachan then scored giving Hartlepool the 1-0 lead. However, it was 1-1 after the next round, Paul Hall scoring for Tranmere then Tinkler's penalty was saved by Achtoberg. Roberts, Porter, Hume, Robson, Dagnall, Westwood, Beresford and Sweeney then all scored, making it 5-5 with sudden-death already underway. However, Ian Sharps next stepped up to take the Rovers penalty. A confusing choice, with players such as Danny Harrison and Mark Rankine still elligable to take a penalty, however, Sharps it was. Sharps' penalty was almost identical to Ryan Taylors. Not far off straight down the middle and not enough power. Konstantopoulos saved giving Hartlepool the advantage. Then Humphries stepped up for Hartlepool, knowing scoring would clinch the game for his side. He did just this, sending Achtoberg the wrong way. Hartlepool winning the shoot out 6-5 but really, the tie was drawn 2-2.
My Man Of The Match was really an impossible choice. I thought Danny Harrison had a particually good game in midfield, winning alot of headers and tackles, whilst Eugene Dadi also won alot in the air and looked sharp for Rovers. Ryan Taylor also had a fantastic night. Everything but the penalty and one or two shots went right for him, his passing was excellent as was his crossing. However, I give the Man Of The Match to David Beresford. So little expected of him, so much done! Beresford changed the game. Brilliant runs and crossing with a stunning goal to cap off an excelent performance. My Man Of The Match, David Beresford.
Finally, I'd like to say thank you to the Rovers players. Last night, you made me, and many other Tranmere fans proud to be a Tranmere Rovers fan. You gave all you could get and more. Penalties is really not the way to decide a game. However, there is always next year.
Thanks for a very good season. You have made me a very proud fan indeed and good luck to Hartlepool in the play-off final too.