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Baby, Camb BackTranmere Rovers visit Bromley FC in EFL2 at the CopperJax Community Stadium |
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Where are we and What’s going on?
The Rovers are away to the U’s (original) on a sunny but chilly afternoon in Cambridge. The U’s are in the last play-off spot in 7th. Rovers are struggling in a lowly 16th, only being kept out of the drop zone by their away form. They keep getting battered at home. With the take over looming, things are probably going to muddle along as they are for the foreseeable.
There a couple of new loanees. Big centre back,Will Tamen, has joined from Everton and forward Dylan Jones has joined from Norwich City. Luke is still injured but Joe has recovered so goes in goal. It’s 3 at the back with Nathan Smith between debutee Tamen and Patrick Brough. Wing backs are Storming Cameron Norman and Jayden Joseph. In the middle are Billy Blacker and Sam Finley. Up front are Mr Tranmere Connor Jennings, Joe Ironside and Dylan Jones. Not saying that the squad is a bit depleted (spoiler alert, it is) but there are 4 loanees in the starting 11. On the missing list are Lee O’C, Sol, Luke, Jordan Josh and Ethan. Omari is back in the squad but on the bench. Are there any more bodies expected in before the end of the window. Probably not.
The U’s have just announced a new loan signing. It’s the very familiar face of Elliot Nevitt. Will he score the last minute winner? Sorry for the old joke but it’s ‘iNevittable!’
The cheeky Nandos in the town went down nicely. The park and ride has been tested successfully. We’ve met the Doc and got the latest GUAR. Been to the club shop for a badge and a programme. It’s unreasonable to make us stand to watch this but it does make it easier to turn away and the bad bits. The sun is shining and the pitch looks good. We’re not sure which version of Tranmere is going to turn up today. It’s time to find out. Come on you whites.
Off we go..
The SWA are behind the Rovers from the kick off. It’s stop-start until it stops completely on 5 as Jayden Joseph goes down injured. A bit of magic spray and he’s up again.
The first chance comes on 14 as the U’s shoot over the bar.
Jaydon goes down again on 19 and can't continue so he is replaced by Adam McGowan.
Tranmere get the first corner on 22 but it comes to nothing and more scrappy, broken up football follows, The Rovers have the slightly better possession and control but can’t put anything useful together. Not until 36 when Brough’s shot misses the target.
The host force Joe into a save on 40. The resulting corner ends up missing the target.
The deadlock is broken in the last minute of the first half. Brough’s cross is met by the head of Dylan Jones in the 6 yard box ⚽. It’s in for Tranmere. 0-1.
We’re still in front when the whistle goes after 3 minutes of added time.
` The U’s start better and are dominating. They get a chance from a corner but it goes over.
Andy Crosby makes his first change on 55 as Dylan Jones is replaced by Charlie Whitaker.
The U’s break down our right, the cross is met by the head of Lavery and Joe is picking it out of the net. Lavery has only been on the pitch for a minute. That is a game changer for you. 1-1.
The U’s are having most of the ball but it’s not long before Tranmere break down the other end. Ironside’s ball finds Charlie Whitaker who sticks it in the net on 63 ⚽. 1-2.
The U’s get a corner on 67. It’s scored by another substitute, Watts. 2-2. Come on Tranemere. Can’t keep letting them back in it.
It’s kept level by some desperate defending as Blacker blocks on the line.
The hosts make another sub. It’s the familiar face of ex-carpetter and ex-Rover, Elliot Nevvitt (who). Please don’t score a last minute winner.
Joe is injured and there are team talks while he gets treatment. We don’t want to lose him and it’s a relief as he gets up to resume playing.
Andy makes his final changes with Connor and Billy making way for Omari and Nohan. That might be like for like positionally but Connor is a very different player to Omari.
The hosts are still applying pressure and Tamen is needed to make a block. It doesn’t stay out of the net for long. Watts gets another header on target and beats Joe on 78. 3-2. We've conceded 3 in 20 minutes. FFS Tranmere!
Omari makes himself enough space to get off one of his long range curling shots. It’s way over the bar though.
Joe is needed to make a couple of good saves as the clock ticks down. The shot from Nevitt isn’t one of them as he puts it wide.
Into 8 minutes of added time. I think we are more pleased about than they are. Can we rescue a point before the whistle.
Any hope we had is dashed on 90+6 when Ben Knight scores from inside the box. Too easy. 4-2.
It’s all over bar the booing which is greeting any player brave enough to come over as we make a sharp exit for the bus.
We think it’s all over..
Andy Crosby brought on his “game changers” with 15 to go. Unfortunately, he took off his best player and changed them for worse ones.
Tranmere had by far the best of the first half. They should have made more of it while they were on top. That’s the usual story of being toothless up front. The second half was more even with the U’s starting better. It was end to end and could have gone either way until the Rovers last changes. The squad is very thin of players that put in a consistent performance. It’s not great is it.
It was mostly good to watch though, despite the end result. The takeover by an American consortium (whatever that is) is imminent. We’re gutted that it didn’t work out for A$AP Rocky and Co. We just hope it’s someone that can bring a bit of passion and identity. Interesting times to come.
It was good to see some old friends aka Craig. We missed Tim and Keith who were up in the Royal box seat. Lucky them. It was freezing standing on the terrace by the prison bars. Well done to the 584 SWA who turned up and made a good noise for most of the game. It got a bit hairy at the divide between the opposing fans later on. Idiots from both sides will always find a way to make themselves known somehow.
Up next is Barnet and maybe Arsenal Women in what might be a busy week. Hope the traffic is better on the way home.
The Other Bits..
POTM: The award 🏅goes to Mr Tranmere Connor Jennings for his usual 110%. He was a big miss when he went off.
Officially opinionated: The ref did well. It wasn’t that controversial or difficult and he didn’t make it about him. Not hard to get it right is it! And we like the purple too.
Programme perusal: The GUAR from the Doc score the usual 11/10. Thanks Dave. The programme had plenty about the club and the match so get a very respectable 8/10. A nice feature on the Rovs too. Thanks.
The Scran’O’meter loves a cheeky Nandos and so do we. It doesn’t count though so no score today. The coffee in the ground was ok but it was warm when the weather was cold. The queue was very Arsenal though. Way too long.
See you soon.
Love Tranmerekat 🐾
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| Sun's out for a change |
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| Here we are |
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| On the buses |
