Rovers make a good case for their defence

Nov 30 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

IT is a measure of the change of character Tranmere Rovers have undergone as a team in the seven weeks of the Les Parry's caretaker regime that the area of the squad where resources are stretched thinnest is becoming the strong point.

Rovers have just enough specialist defenders to fill the slots in the back line and keep a couple of viable options on the bench.

They are often obliged to ask the vastly-experienced centre-back Ian Goodison to play when less than 100% fit.

Even so, the Rovers rearguard is beginning to acquire a mean streak reminiscent of last season's team.

Saturday's FA Cup stalemate with Aldershot was their third clean sheet in four games – a significant achievement when you consider the defence was so leaky in the first two months of the campaign that they carried the unwelcome distinction of having the worst goals against record in all four divisions.

Long-serving physio Les Parry, together with coaches Shaun Garnett and Wayne Allison, deserve credit for tackling the most serious flaw in the makeup of the side left behind by previous manager John Barnes.

The tightening up of the team looks sure to form the basis of Tranmere's attempts to save their League One status this season – whoever assumes long-term control of the dressing room.

The next phase of the job will also be a difficult one: scoring enough goals to climb the table. As long as the goals are squeezed out in a trickle, the results won't come easily.

A clean sheet on its own wasn't enough to see off the second round Cup challenge of confident League Two visitors Aldershot, who looked as if they would not be out of place in the division above.

Tranmere had the best of the chances in a game that showcased some attractive football from both sides. But those chances were a meagre ration, for all of the good intentions on view.

Rovers, most patient and effective in the first half, were denied a merited lead when John Welsh's swerving shot ricocheted from the inside of one post to another and somehow stayed out of the net.

As the minutes ticked away in the second half, their approach play became more rushed and ragged, the final ball into the box frequently a letdown.

Perhaps the over-hit and wayward passes of the final 20 minutes encouraged the thin chorus of booing from elements of the home support at the final whistle.

Those grumbles were a harsh judgement on another wholehearted effort from a team who live to fight another day in the replay at the Recreation Ground a week tomorrow.

Aldershot brought with them a reputation as one of the best footballing teams in League Two.

But playing a formation in which the wide midfielders provided most support for striker Marvin Morgan, they also showed why they have kept clean sheets in four of last five games.

The teams traded at couple of half chances apiece that were dispatched wide of the target or too close to the goalkeeper before Welsh had his double dose of bad luck on 21 minutes.

The midfielder's swerving shot from 25 yards was too good for Mikael Jaimez-Ruiz but after the ball rattled between the uprights, the goalkeeper's touch may well have kept it out of the reach of Terry Gornell.

Aldershot created a decent chance of their own two minutes later when Marlon Jackson, diving to meet a cross from the enterprising Anthony Straker, headed straight at Luke Daniels.

Tranmere held the initiative until the break, however.

When midfielder Gareth Edds pulled a cross back from the right of goal, Gornell dragged his angled shot from a dozen yards wide of the target. Then Edds, running on to perfectly-laid passes from Welsh on the edge of the six-yard box, looked odds-on to score until Straker made a last gasp blocking tackle.

Tranmere were still creating opportunities midway into the second half, in spite of losing the cohesive influence of Chris Shuker.

A long cross from the left by Zoumana Bakayogo struck the unsighted Goodison a few yards from goal on 60 minutes and a minute later Ash Taylor fired a snapshot over the bar from the edge of the box.

Rovers had a player to spare in a five-man attack on 65 minutes when Gornell opted to go for goal himself and drove a 20-yard shot towards the bottom corner that was scrambled out at full stretch by the keeper.

Aldershot, playing deeper and more cautiously to the second half, nevertheless created a clear chance to win the tie with a 75th minute break.

Louie Soares, taking advantage of a ricochet off Shaleum Logan, made space inside the box to drive in a low shot that was beaten out by the diving Daniels.

TRANMERE ROVERS: Daniels, Logan, Broomes, Goodison, Bakayogo, Taylor, Welsh, Edds, Shuker (Thomas-Moore 44), Gornell (Ricketts 74), Curran. Subs (not used): Collister, Cresswell, McLaren, Barnett, Baker.

Booked: Gornell.

ALDERSHOT TOWN: Jaimez-Ruiz, Herd, Blackburn, Charles, Sandell, Straker (Harding 87), Chalmers, Donnelly (Halls 66), Soares, Jackson (Bozanovic 82), Morgan. Subs (not used): Masters, Hinshelwood, Grant, Winfield.

Booked: Sandell.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northants) Att: 3,742

Next match: Tomorrow (7.45pm): Huddersfield Town v Tranmere (League One), Galpharm Stadium.