Losing Run Ends at Last for Rovers
By Mark Ridgway
September 26 2009
Rovers' long losing run in League One finally came to an end at Prenton Park this afternoon as a first half goal from midfielder John Welsh, followed by an immediate response from the visitors, earned Tranmere a hard fought 1-1 draw which at least stems the tide of defeats which have blighted the early part of the season so far.....
Tranmere 1 - 1 Colchester U
Welsh 35 O'Toole 37
Attendance: 5,314
Rovers long run of defeats ended today at home to high flying Colchester United as both sides shared the points. John Welsh was on target in a 1-1 result which showed encouraging signs at last for Rovers.
There were two changes from the team that was defeated at Exeter last Saturday with Chris Shuker and Luke Daniels returning to the starting line-up in place of Gareth Edds and Joe Collister meaning that the team looked like this...
Daniels
Logan, Goodison, Broomes, Cresswell
Shuker, Welsh, McLaren, Carole
Ricketts, Thomas-Moore
Rovers looked to have earned a penalty in the third minute when Ricketts' flick appeared to hit an arm but the appeals were turned down and Thomas-Moore couldn't carve out an attempt in the resulting scramble.
Holdsworth then shot straight at Daniels who parried the ball before it was cleared by Goodison. McLaren had a header cleared from almost on the goal line and Ricketts' shot was saved by Williams when one on one. Daniels Fox's free kick was then spectacularly parried away by Daniels at the other end.
Ian Thomas-Moore had a curling shot tipped around the post and Carole shot wide soon after whilst Kayode Odejayi blasted over from close range for Colchester and Kevin Lisbie also volleyed over for the visitors.
John Welsh Put Rovers Ahead
On 35 minutes the breakthrough came when a corner was headed goalwards by Goodison and Broomes shot at goal was parried by Williams, allowing John Welsh to smash in the rebound and give Rovers a 1-0 lead.
However Colchester ran up straight from kick off and equalised. Odejayi beat Ian Goodison down Rovers left and crossed low for John-Joe O'Toole to convert from close range.
Soon after the equaliser, Fox smashed over with a help of a deflection and Okuonghae headed over unmarked from the corner before a scuffle emerged with both sets of players disagreeing and resulting in three bookings in total, two for Rovers and one for Colchester just as the half-time break came.
Half Time: Tranmere 1 - 1 Colchester
The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors as Clive Platt headed at Daniels and then Okuonghae headed over, again unmarked.
Welsh and Shuker did well on the right to set up Ricketts, who shot narrowly wide and Lisbie then had a shot cleared off the line by Cresswell. Shuker smashed at the side netting for Rovers before Seb Carole was replaced by Alan Mahon.
Michael Ricketts Impressed Upfront for Rovers
Ricketts then shot straight at Williams from Logan's throw and Mahon's low cross also couldn't be converted. Curran replaced Thomas-Moore jsut before Rovers again had a penalty decision turned down whilst Ricketts' cross was blocked possibly by a Colchester arm.
Kithson Bain then came on in place of Michael Ricketts and he scored two minutes later but it was chalked off for offside. Shaleum Logan did well down the right with a crossfor McLaren which made its way to Bain on the goal line. He smashed the ball home but sadly the flag was raised.
Odejayi tested Daniels late on but the Keeper made a key save in injury time as the scores ended level.
Full Time: Tranmere 1 - 1 Colchester
Michael Ricketts
Ricketts held up the ball superbly and his fitness seems to be improving as he looked a threat to the defence on a number of occasions.
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thought ricketts was shocking the fat lazy tw@
never leaves a certain strip of the field and when we break he's still by the centre circle.. more chased down absolutely everything and had a few decent tries and got subbed off for it..
amazing how we all see different games from the same stadium lol
On the one hand I'd agree with SWS that he's immobile and seemingly lazy but on the other hand he does have some quality, strength and wins headers.
Moore did a hell of a lot of running, workeed his socks off and played well but he looked to be running out of steam. To be honest, I'd of taken Moore off as well due to the above and to be honest I think a Ricketts/bain partnership would of had more chance of getting a goal than a tiring Moore/bain
Was just surprised it was Curran coming on - assumed Kithson wwould of been the choice.
I agree about Ricketts, I had my doubts about him but I like what I've seen so far.
Pleasing to here about Ricketts starting to regain some fitness. He's undoubtedly got the quality to play above this level and believe that fitness and confidence have been his biggest let downs in previous seasons at other clubs.
He's a proven goalscorer at Premiership level and even managed an England cap! I think a bit of patience with him could prove to be the key. I hope he returns to full fitness soon and the team start performing and picking up wins. Could prove to be a real gem of a signing.
First impressions count for a lot, once fans don't 'like' someone they often become blind to his qualities. He's not ideal and I don't think he'll ever amount to much more than a decent league 1 player but he is looking a worthwhile addition at the moment.
Quote:MikeH
First impressions count for a lot, once fans don't 'like' someone they often become blind to his qualities.
And I think that applies to the manager and his assistant, especially if - and it's a big if at present - we turn the corner and get into the top ten at least!