Rovers Continue to Surge Towards the Play-Offs

Tranmere beat Stockport on Tuesday night to overtake their play off rivals and move within five points on the illusive sixth place play-off spot.  Gareth Edds scored his second goal in two games and Ian Moore scored against the team for whom he is still their record transfer.

There was only the one change of the side that thrashed Carlisle with Gareth Edds replacing the injured Antony Kay.  So the team lined up like this....

Rovers were hoping to continue there impressive home form against Stockport County and move above their local rivals in the league and there was a good atmosphere for this game as the Johnny King Stand especially made themselves heard against a good away following from the visitors.

The Johnny King Stand was boosted by a number of students from St Mary's College on a school trip accompanied by the lifelong Tranmere fan Mrs Braid!

The opening twenty minutes saw very few chances with the ball being played around the midfield for the majority of the time.

Gareth Edds Headed Rovers' First

Rovers should have been given their first penalty of the season on nineteen minutes as Ryan Shotton did well and burst into the box.  He was brought down by Jim McNulty but the referee signalled the players to play-on to the frustration of Rovers players and fans alike.

Rovers' next shot came from Steve Jennings but it was deflected wide for a corner.  Ian Moore then had a chance to put Rovers ahead as he ran onto a Goodison flick only to blast over from a tight angle.

Chris Shuker set up Charlie Barnett who curled just over the bar as Rovers took control and the only downside came when Ian Goodison received his fifth booking on the season meaning he will miss a game in the close future.

Sonko then tested Williams with Shuker unable to capitalise on the rebound whilst at the other end Barnett and Chorley did excellently to deny Stockport two goal scoring chances.

Half Time: Tranmere 0 - 0 Stockport

The first chance of the second half fell to Eddy Sonko from a Ryan Shotton throw-in, but the Gambian's placed shot was saved by Williams.  After Rovers continued their dominance into the second half the pressure finally told.

Shotton won a corner that was taken by Shuker and he found Gareth Edds who netted with a perfectly placed low header for his second goal in two games.

On 60 minutes, Williams dropped the ball when trying to keep it in play and it fell to Sonko whose shot was smoothed before it fell to Shotton who drove over the bar.

Moore tested Williams twice, the second was a powerful volley from a Barnett free kick but at the other end Rowe headed just over from Stockport's first real effort of the half on 75 minutes.

 Ian Moore Scored a Late Penalty for Rovers' Second

Jennings shot wide from 25 yards and Bas Savage replaced Charlie Barnett for some fresh legs shortly after with Shuker moving to left midfield and Savage moving upfront.  McSweeney then blazed high and wide for Stockport after Rovers failed to clear.

Rovers dominance was finally rewarded with a second goal as Ian Moore broke into the box and was tripped leaving the referee to award Tranmere their first penalty of the season in late January.  Ian Moore brushed himself down and coolly converted the penalty against his former club.

Unfortunately there was still time for Stockport to undeservedly get themselves on the score sheet as Michael Raynes bundled the ball in in injury to make the result flatter Stockport in some many ways.

Full Time Tranmere 2 - 1 Stockport

For the second game running Moore gets the award for his tireless running and effort for the team.  He's impressing on his return to up front and with performance like this he will be staying there for many games to come. Three goals in two games now for the former Stockport man.