|
Tranmere Rovers FC away to Crawley Town FC in EFL League 2 at the People's Pension Stadium |
|
The Rovers visit the Red Devils for the second time this year and it's another hot and sunny afternoon in Sussex. The last time we were here in April, the hosts were teetering on the brink of relegation until they took all 3 points from us. The tables have turned now and it is Rovers struggling to stay out of the relegation zone having lost 6 in 7. Ian Dawes has gone so Nigel Adkins is at the helm. Let's see if the positivity can have an impact on what should be a decent squad but suffering from very poor recent form. In a change to recent games, Nigel Adkins has for some reason, known only to himself, to play players in the best positions. It's a strange idea that will never work, surely. The front 3 of Jennings, Taylor and the seldom seen Charlie Jolley looks good. In defence there are 4 defenders in the shapes of Pike, Davies, Turnbull and Wood. McAlear, Walker and Hawkes make up the middle 3. Lets hope the changes work 🙏.
The Rovers start brightly and take the lead on 21 as Charlie Jolley runs on to a through ball from Sam. Has a lot to do but rounds the stranded keeper to slot home ⚽. There are a few more half chances but no more goals. The SWA get in a few verses of "We're winning away" while they can. The ref has a had a good first 45 but it end as we head into injury time and the weird bookings start. The Whites, seen here in white, are still in the lead at the break 🤞.
It gets a bit more end to end in the second 45. Both sides are getting chances. Hawkes has a great chance that he makes for himself with a run down the wing that ends in front of goal but the shot from the edge of the box goes just over. The bookings continue, mostly for time wasting and dissent. The hosts get a free kick at the edge of the box and it ends up in the back of the net. It all gets a bit out of control behind the goal where the Crawley fans are. There are smoke bombs and all sorts of other things being thrown onto the pitch and at Luke McGee. He just gets on with tidying up the goal area. The ref hides at the side of the pitch talking to a steward but in the end he pretends it didn't happen and does nothing. The Rovers are soon back in front from Sam (backflipping) Taylor on 66⚽. The lead lasts all of 2 minutes as a ball across the goal mouth is unchallenged and tapped home. Our Nige, makes some changes with Harvey Saunders coming on for Sam. His pace doesn't really help as the Rovers are pinned back in their own half. As we reach the 45 mark, there are 8 added minutes. Don't you know we have homes to go to? Harvey finally gets to run with the ball and creates a chance, he passes to Hawkes who is in front of an open goal but can't sort out his feet quick enough and it goes wide. The Whites are struggling to get out and under constant pressure. Not good for such a leaky defence. Crawley score on 96 after a disputed freekick from the left edge of the box. He got the ball ref, did you take your contacts out at half time? After some more time wasting, the final whistle goes at a few seconds short of 100 minutes.
It's another loss for the Rovers but there are rays of hope 🌤 and a draw wouldn't have been an unfair result. The first half was much better that the second as the Whites struggled to get and keep the ball. They also missed opportunities to hit on the break, slowing it down too much. They are a side short on confidence but there were good bits and goals from 2 youngsters defiantly a plus from the day.
POTM: Charlie Jolley is the recipient today 🏅, ran his socks off and scored a great goal.
Ref did well for the first 45, went a bit bonkers in injury time then completely lost in the second half. Did nothing when it all kicked off but issued 9 yellow cards in a game that wasn't aggressive or bad tempered. The timewasting and shenanigans only registered a 3 on the Forest green Darks Arts scale but but he picked on every little thing until he didn't. Didn't seem bothered toward the end of the game, maybe his card was full and he ran out of room for names.
Today saw the return of the Scranometer with a guest appearance giving a 9.5 to the pizza 🍕and chips🍟.Not good enough from the catering at Crawley with no water available at half time on such a hot day🐪.
Next up is the Lionesses in Nations League action 🏆.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
 |
| Sunny in Sussex |
 |
| Warm enough already boys |
 |
| We're winning away (at half time) |
