Rovers dominate but Shrimpers couldn't catch Shrimpers

Last updated : 21 January 2006 By Matthew Jones
Tranmere grabbed a third consecutive 0-0 draw in league one (and a fifth in eight games) in an exciting game with top of the table Southend.

Brian Little switched to 4-3-3 as he searched for a goal, making two changes from the team that started against Hartlepool. Delroy Facey and Jason McAteer both started as the suspended Ian Goodison and Steven Jennings made way.

Both sides had early chances, as Dino Seremet thwarted two Southend attacks and Calvin Zola shot wide from outside the area whilst Gareth Roberts slipped when shooting as his shot from a McAteer free-kick went some distance wide.

However, Rovers appeared to be trying to walk the ball into the goal.  On too many occasions they would take the extra touch (or two or three) which allowed Southend the chance to get a tackle in or mark up.

After one of these moves which lasted two or three minutes, Steven O'Leary found Danny "Goal Machine" Harrison who shot from 20 yards out but his shot edged wide of the post.

Then on 26-minutes, Rovers went close again as Ian Sharps headed just inches over from another Tranmere corner on the right, where all the pressure was coming from Simon Francis in particular.

Then came the tackle of the game, from the inform Mike Jackson.  Wayne Gray, the pacey Southend Number 10 broke into the penalty area but Mike Jackson made up the extra yards to get back and make one of the best challanges I've ever seen.  If he had been a split second later or earlier in his tackle, Southend would have had a penalty and Jackson would have been off. 

Rovers had the next shot as McAteer forced a good save out of Flahavan with a dipping and swerving shot from 20 yards, which Flahavan did well to hang on to.

The game continued to be end to end stuff as Freddy Eastwood missed a glorious opportunity at the Kop end, shooting right across Dino Seremet's goal when breaking free of the Rovers defence.

So at half time the sides were level and Southend didn't look like a side who were top of the league.  The game needed somebody to take over and control the midfield.  Step forward Danny Harrison, who had a fantastic game.

It would also help each side if they had somebody who could finish as each side had had decent chances but had squandered them.

Niether side made any changed at half time although all the fans I spoke to at half-time in the Jonny King stand wanted Sammy Aiston to come on.

Rovers then had their best chance to score just two minutes into the half.  Delroy Facey sent in a brilliant cross after a flick-on header from McAteer and the cross was met by Calvin Zola, galloping into the penalty area.

Zola did all he could with his shot.  Hitting hit first time he managed to keep it low and accurate, the best he could do from a very tight angle, but unfortunatly Flahavan made the save of the match to push the ball round the post for a corner.  Mike Jackson headed wide from this corner which was swung in by Jason McAteer.

Rovers had the next chance too as Zola was brought down 20 yards out.  From the set piece Jason McAteer swung the ball round the wall but the ball was caught by Flahavan at full stretch as Rovers strived for the opener.

Minutes later Rovers should have had a penalty as Calvin Zola, who was proving to be a big handful for the Southend defence, broke free but was then tripped up near the penalty spot.  However, the referee (Mr. R Booth) waved away Rovers appeals.

Minutes later Rovers should have had another penalty.  A corner was swung in by McAteer and both Mike Jackson and Simon Francis were pushed over but for some reason unknown to man (or woman), Mr Booth once again waved away Tranmere's appeals.

Rovers had their hearts in the mouths with 17 minutes to go as Freddy Eastwood hit the bar from the edge of the area.  Rovers were messing around with the ball in the box and were trying to pass the ball out instead of just hoofing it clear.

Then Brian Little made a substitution which changed the game (or two if you're being kind).  Calvin Zola and Jason McAteer were replaced by Sam Aiston and Paul Linwood as Rovers changed to 4-4-2.

Sam Aiston was fantastic and changed the game completely, setting up a very exciting final 15 minutes. 

With 12 minutes remaining, Aiston sprinted through the none-existant Southend defence before letting go a powerful shot from the edge of the area which was spectacually saved by Flahavan who was having a fantastic match.

On 80-minutes, Danny Harrison once again tried his luck from 20 yards but struck over before Ian Sharps skinned most of the Southend team before setting up an attack which was wasted by the Rovers attack.

In the closing minutes, Delroy Facey had his shot saved whilst Gareth Roberts scuffed a shot wide with his wrong foot and Steven O'Leary also headed off target.

The referee blew his whistle after four minutes of injury time and most Rovers fans were relatively pleased with the result.

I myself predicted a 1-1 draw and was happy to take away a point against the league leaders, who didn't look like league leaders atall at Prenton Park today.

Rovers played good football, and made Southend look very ordinary when they managed to string a few passes together along the ground (and not just hoofing it up field).

Jones' Man Of The Match:  If Sam Aiston had been on the pitch for any longer, he would have won it, but alas he was only on the pitch for 15 minutes.

This leaves Simon "The amazingly good loan player who we must sign permanently" Francis and Danny "Goal machine" Harrison.

Francis was his usual self.  The master of the right wing who was brilliant all game with his passing, crossing and tackling.

However, my Man Of The Match goes to Danny Harrison.  He has improved dramatically since Christmas and today, in my opinion, was his best game of the season.  his passing, movement, tackling and vision was brilliant, just what was needed of a midfielder.  Shame he left his shooting boots in the changing room after the Rotherham game.