Tranmere will face West Brom in the FA Cup if they can put Posh in their place

Dec 3 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Tranmere will face West Brom in the FA Cup if they can put Posh in their place

TRANMERE face the prospect of another difficult away tie in the FA Cup if they can overcome second round opponents Peterborough United.

The winner of the replay, scheduled for Prenton Park on December 9, will travel to West Bromwich Albion in round three.

A trip to the West Midlands to face the Premier League strugglers won’t provide the financial jackpot Rovers were hoping for.

But manager Ronnie Moore is growing increasingly confident of his team’s ability to force a result wherever they travel.

Moore admitted to some regret that Rovers did not win the Peterborough tie at the first attempt at London Road on Saturday.

But he did not hide his satisfaction with an encouraging performance which saw the visitors create most of the clear-cut chances in a goalless draw against a Posh team who are unbeaten in their last 14 League One games. Moore said: “We came with a game plan and it worked really well. I felt we bossed the game. We had three chances and if it wasn’t for their goalkeeper we would have won it.

“It would have been good to get the tie over at the first hurdle. But the important thing is we are still in the competition with another difficult game to come in the replay.”

Moore added: “I was pleased with the way we played, particularly in the first half. We kept their strikers quiet. In the second half they brought on the big lad, Shaun Batt who caused us a few problems. It would have been a sickener if we had conceded a goal but we weathered the 20 minute spell when Peterborough put us under pressure.”

The replay leaves Tranmere with a busy schedule in the run up to Christmas. They are due to face Peterborough three days after playing host to Leeds United in the League. Rovers travel to Bristol Rovers on Saturday, December 13, then to Scunthorpe in the Northern semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday, December 16. The visit of Brighton for a League One fixture on Saturday, December 20 marks the final game before the festive period.

Moore said: “They are difficult but it is great to be involved in games like these. I feel we have a good squad of players and a good side. I just hope they are now starting to believe in themselves because I believe we are a match for anyone on our day. When games are tight it is matter of pinching the narrow victories. We did it against Scunthorpe in midweek (a 2-0 victory) and we could have done it against Peterborough. I’m sure if we had got one goal we would have won the game.”