Rovers Put in Class Performance to Beat Carlisle

In what was certainly a game of two halves, Tranmere comfortably saw off Carlisle United 4-1 thanks to goals from Gareth Edds and Steve Jennings sandwiched between a brace of goals from Ian Moore. Even at half-time though when the game was still goalless, few Rovers fans could have predicted what followed.

 Tranmere R 4 - 1 Carlisle U

   Ian Moore 49 and 77                      Graham 60

      Gareth Edds 53

      Steven Jennings 66

Attendance - 5,924

After an average first half, Tranmere came out all guns blazing and ran riot in the second half against Carlisle as goals from Ian Moore [2], Gareth Edds and Steve Jennings were only replied to once by a Danny Graham goal.

It was Rovers first win of 2009 in only their second game, and to score four whilst having four strikers out is impressive indeed and as a result moved the Whites up one place in the table and added a much needed +3 to the goal difference.

There was only one change to the team that played Millwall with the suspended Bas Savage replaced by Charlie Barnett as others shuffled around, so the team looked like this....

Coyne

Shotton Chorley Goodison Taylor

Sonko Kay Jennings Barnett

Shuker

                                                    Moore

Rovers started the brighter and forced two corners early on but the first shot came from Barnett who forced the keeper to save at his near post.  Chris Shuker then tried a 40 yard lob with the keeper off his line but it went wide.

Steve Jennings Williams who could only save at the second attempt and on seven minutes Dobie headed wide for Carlisle.  Chorley inadvertantly almost sent Graham clean through with a poor back header but Coyne was alert to clear and Dobie's attempt was then made ineffective thanks to Goodison's pressure.

On 24 minutes Ian Moore had an overhead kick kept out by Williams before Graham then had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out for a foul on Coyne.  Eddy Sonko also smashed an effort into the side netting for Rovers.

On 34 minutes Graham hit the post only for Rovers to clear whilst Sonko headed wide for Rovers and Cleveland Taylor's cross was hit onto the bar by Coyne at the other end.

Half Time Tranmere 0 - 0 Carlisle

Antony Kay, who had been struggling with an injury was replaced at half time by Gareth Edds and Ben Chorley took the captain's armband.

Almost straight away, Chris Shuker broke down the right and his cross was inches away from Ian Moore diving in but the next attack was more productive as a corner fell to Jennings outside the area and he headed back in and after shrugging off his marker Ian Moore smashed in the opener from close range.

Ian Moore got Two Goals and Could have had a Hat-Trick!

Not long after it was 2-0 as Jennings' long ball was flicked on by Moore to Sonko.  He held it up well and set up Gareth Edds rushing in and as the ball broke into the box he smashed an effort off the underside of the crossbar and in, for his first goal of the season [about time].

On the hour mark Carlisle were back in it when Thirlwell crossed to Danny Graham whose mis-hit shot looped over Coyne and in.  Rovers fans will have then feared the worst after Carlisle comeback against MK Dons last week.

The nerves were calmed just five minutes later though as a throw-in found Steve Jennings who held of his marker and smashed it in on the turn with his shot squirming underneath Williams and in to make it 3-1.

It was 4-1 on 77 minutes as Eddy Sonko robbed Liddell and played in Ian Moore who curled a shot with the outside of his foot from a tight angle into the top corner, it was a perfect finish from the man of the match.

Josh Macauley then came on for his first team debut with a few minutes left as he replaced Barnett and played upfront.

Ian Moore could have walked away with the match ball as an awkward bounce took the ball away from him and the defender got back with Moore bearing down on goal but it was to only be four in the end on a great day for Rovers.

Full Time Tranmere 4 - 1 Carlisle

Ian Moore

Ian ran his socks off even in the first half when everybody else seemed un-lively.  He worked so hard as the target man and deserved his two well taken goals.