Rovers close in on play-offs

Last updated : 26 January 2008 By Matthew Jones
Zola goal sets Tranmere on way to victory
In three of the previous five games between these two teams, Tranmere had finished the game with two goals, and today the same was to happen as Calvin Zola and Jennison Myrie-Williams netted to earn Tranmere a 2-1 win over Yeovil Town.

Ronnie Moore kept the same starting eleven that last week earned Tranmere a 1-0 win away at Millwall last weekend, as Paul McLaren passed a fitness place to start the game whilst Chris Greenacre returned to the bench after a groin injury.

Tranmere couldn't have wished for a better start to the game as they netted within four minutes of the kick-off thanks to a good finish by striker Calvin Zola.

Rovers won a throw in on the left, which was taken by Andy Taylor and flicked on by Gareth Taylor to Shane Sherriff. The Australian then played a brilliant pass inside to Zola, who picked up the ball, beat his man and got into the area before shooting across the goal and into the bottom corner.

At 1-0 up, Tranmere began to take control of the game, and after surviving a goal mouth scramble on seven minutes, they pushed forward, with a Calvin Zola cross just getting diverted out of the path of Gareth Taylor by Yeovil captain Terry Skiverton.

On 19-minutes, Rovers came close to a second as Jennison Myrie-Williams, who Rovers are attempting to keep on loan until the end of the season, sent in a curling corner from the Tranmere right which Shane Sherriff connected with near the six-yard line, only to see his goal-bound header superbly saved by Mildenhall who tipped the ball over the bar.

Six minutes later, Myrie-Williams came close to scoring himself as, having ignored the un-marked Zola, Myrie-Williams drifted across the box before hitting a curling shot just wide of Mildernhall's right-hand post.

Then, just after the half hour mark, it was Zola's turn to have another effort, as the striker turned brilliantly to beat his man, and, with his next touch, Zola hit a low shot goalwards which rolled agonisingly wide of the same post that Myrie-Williams had just put the ball past.

After all the Rovers pressure, it wasn't until 39-minutes when Yeovil had their first shot of the match as former Oldham player Paul Warne headed Steiber's cross over the bar.

In general though, the first half was scrappy. Tranmere created themselves chances, and good ones at that, but for long periods niether side managed to get the ball down and pass it around, as stoppages for free-kicks and throw-ins were far too regular.

Tranmere though thoroughly deserved their lead, as they had been much the better side, with Yeovil looking a distant team from the one who had managed to get level on points with Rovers before kick off.

The second half was to be much different however, as Yeovil came out and from the first whistle looked a different team to the one that had shown up in the first half.

After some good passing as Yeovil waited patiently but couldn't find an opening, the away side got the equaliser on the break on 51-minutes.

A long ball over the top was missed by Ian Goodison, before Lloyd Owusu held off the Jamaican to pick up the ball and break in to the box. Owusu then passed the ball inside, and after Rovers had had a chance to clear the ball, former Northampton striker Andy Kirk shot under the body of Danny Coyne.

For the next 15 or so minutes, Yeovil looked the better side, and if any team was going to score a second goal, it looked likely that it would be the away side.

With Rovers failing to get a foot on the ball due to Yeovil's good possession play, the home crowd began to get restless and this looked as if it could effect the Tranmere players.

However, Yeovil failed to create many chances, with only a Terry Skiverton miss kick coming close for them before, after John Mullin had replaced the struggling Paul McLaren for Rovers in midfield, the home side re-took the lead on 62-minutes.

Rovers took the lead from the penalty spot after Calvin Zola, who had recieved the ball from Robbie Stockdale before beating Nathan Jones with the ball, was brought down on the corner of the six-yard box by the Yeovil defender.

Jennison Myrie-Williams stepped up to take the spot kick, sending the 'keeper the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, scoring his first goal for the club.

From then on, Tranmere looked more comfortable and began to create themselves more chances. Gareth Taylor had a shot blocked by Skiverton after Mullin's pass before Yeovil were reduced to ten men on 71-minutes.

After Tranmere won the ball in their own penalty area, Andy Taylor hit a long ball over the top to Steven Jennings, who was motoring his way down the centre of the pitch unmarked.

Jennings got the ball under control and closed in on goal. Just as the midfielder was preparing to shoot, he had his heels clipped by Yeovil defender Marc Bircham. The player could have recieved a straight red card as Jennings was clear through on goal, but instead he recieved his second yellow card of the match and was given his marching orders.

From the resulting free-kick, Shane Sherriff touched the ball to Jennings who ran on to it and drilled a low shot towards goal and, if not for a superb save by Mildenhall, diving low to his right to top the ball out for a corner, Tranmere would have increased their lead.

However, Yeovil still looked as if they could score as the Tranmere defence was to undergo a few nervy moments.

Tranmere missed a ball in the middle of their half and the ball fell to Owusu who was clear through on goal and, had it not been for a superb last-ditch tackle by Robbie Stockdale, sliding in from nowhere to take the ball away from the striker, Yeovil would quite possibly have equalised for a second time.

On 82-minutes, Coyne saved from Kirk as the striker shot across goal, only for the Tranmere 'keeper to dive low and claim the ball before Craig Curran replaced Gareth Taylor with a minute remaining.

Tranmere however held on for their second successive win, and after results on Friday evening, they can certainly say they are now back in the play-off shake up.

Should they win on Tuesday against Gillingham, then the match against Leeds at Elland Road next Saturday could be even more important than it already is.

Jones' Man Of The Match: There were stand out performances from the superb Zola, outstanding Stockdale and terrific Myrie-Williams for Tranmere, however, in my opinion the best man on the field in the Tranmere white was Steven Jennings. The midfielder, who has been so impressive this season, was every where, especially in the second half, putting in a superb performance as he won a number of tackles, tracked back well and got forward too.