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March
5th 2005-03-05
Tranmere
once again missed out on a chance to move nearer towards the top
two after a disappointing defeat against a well-organised Hull City
side at Prenton Park.
Optimism
was high prior to kick-off as Rovers looked to gain revenge over
their promotion rivals after a 6-1 reverse at the KC Stadium earlier
in the season. But despite a bright start, The Whites couldn't hold
on for what could have been an eighth successive league match without
defeat.
The
suspended Mike Jackson missed out for Rovers as Ian Goodison moved
to centre-back to cover his absence. Gareth Roberts took Goodison's
left back place, leaving Theo Whitmore to fill the void on the left
wing. Rovers' only other change saw Eugene Dadi return to lead the
attack at the expense of Chris Dagnall.
After
an early header by Iain Hume narrowly missed the target, it was
the home side that struck first blood in a match many had said would
decide who takes automatic promotion with leaders Luton Town. Dead-ball
specialist Ryan Taylor fired a 30-yard free-kick past helpless Hull
keeper Boaz Myhill after just seven minutes to silence the massive
away following.
It
was Rovers who continued to press and Iain Hume shot over from a
wide position on 20 minutes after a good run at the City defence.
Jamaican winger Paul Hall forced a decent save from Myhill just
minutes later as it looked to be only a matter of time before Tranmere
doubled their lead.
Rovers
manager Brian Little said in the build up to the game that from
this type of fixture, he would learn a lot about the characters
of the likes of Ryan Taylor and Iain Hume as well as the more seasoned
pros in the squad like Jason McAteer and Mark Rankine and all four
were certainly in impressive form as the first half wore on.
But
cracks started to appear in the Rovers defence as John Achterberg
was called upon to make a save from a Leon Cort header after a dangerous
Nick Barmby corner and little more than ten minutes later the Tigers
were on level terms. A mix-up between Ian Sharps and former Hull
favourite Ian Goodison left former Chester City hit man Kevin Ellison
free to round Achterberg and finish into an empty net.
A Tranmere
penalty appeal was refuted soon after as Eugene Dadi appeared to
have been felled in the area but the referee only cautioned the
Frenchman for diving.
Half-time:
Tranmere 1-1 Hull
Theo
Whitmore wasted an excellent opportunity to put Rovers back in front
early in the second half as Rovers broke with Paul Hall's mazy run
but Whitmore could only slice his shot wide of Myhill's left hand
post.
Just
moments later, former Tranmere man Jason Price was played in behind
the Rovers defence and took the ball past the on-rushing Achterberg
to slot into an empty net from 25 yards as the Tigers asserted themselves
on the game.
New
Hull signing Craig Fagan didn't waste any time getting his name
on the score-sheet after coming on as a sub. The former Colchester
striker cut in from the left and fired low into the bottom corner
of the net with Achterberg beaten as City stepped up a gear and
showed just why they began the day in second position and not third.
Kevin
Ellison was unlucky not to add his second and Hull's fourth soon
after as he rattled the bar from long range. Shouts of "Easy,
easy, easy" rung out from the away end, along with chants of
"you're getting mauled by the Tigers" and "we are
too good for you." The bitter disappointment of the Rovers
fans at their team's collapse couldn't deny that their Hull counterparts
were absolutely right.
The
Whites rallied briefly at the end with Hall and McAteer going close
but to no avail as Hull ended the match looking like they were enjoying
a light training session.
Hull
are, in all fairness, the most impressive away side that has played
at Prenton Park this season and they will go up automatically along
with Luton. What Tranmere have to realise is that they are about
to begin a race with six or seven other clubs to secure a play-off
place and they've got to make sure they don't false start at Hartlepool
next week.
Graeme
Dolphin
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