Rovers Progress to Play Wolves in FA Cup

Tranmere comfortably progressed through to the third round of the FA Cup by beating Aldershot 2-1 away in their second round replay.  Rovers controlled the tie after Ian Thomas-Moore blasted Rovers into the lead and Terry Gornell doubled the lead after the break.

Aldershot got a consolation late on but it is Rovers who will face Premier League strugglers Wolves at Prenton Park on or around Saturday 2^nd January.

The team was yet again unchanged from the previous game at home to Brentford, meaning that the starting line-up looked like this...

Rovers started the better of the two sides on a wet surface with the rain showing no signs of stopping early on and Rovers had the first real chance when Gareth Edds volleyed over from a John Welsh corner.

Aldershot could have led themselves when Daniels allowed a cross to pass him but Charles wasn't aware at the back post, and the ball bounced off him into Daniel's grateful hands to let Rovers off the hook.

A Deflected Shot from Ian Thomas-Moore put Rovers Ahead

Welsh then volleyed over after he skipped past a few Aldershot tackles whilst Daniels saved from Straker at the other end in an open start to the game and although Rovers were having the much greater possession, Aldershot looked perhaps more threatening going forward with this pattern continuing right through the first half.

In the end there were just three minutes left until half time when the breakthrough came and it was the visitors who took the lead at the crucial time. Just like on Saturday, John Welsh's free kick acted as the assist as he found Ian Thomas-Moore down the right wing and although the striker's first cross was blocked, the ball fell to him again immediately and he was able to smash the ball across goal where it was deflected into the net to give Rovers the lead which they held on to until the break.

Half Time: Aldershot 0 - 1 Tranmere Rovers

With virtually their first attack of the second half Rovers made the lead more comfortable when Ian Thomas-Moore released Shaleum Logan down the right and his cross found Terry Gornell, who shot past the keeper from a reasonably tight angle again with the help of a deflection.

So it turned out that the two attacks either side of half time both brought about Tranmere goals but after the second goal by Gornell, Aldershot reacted with sustained possession which lasted for most of the remaining half an hour but Rovers also countered with Craig Curran who shot wide when Gornell was probably better placed than him.

Marlon Jackson sent an effort high over the Rovers goal, but Aldershot weren't putting the visitors under too much pressure despite the fact they were now dominating the game in a bid to get back into it.

Donnelly then shot wide and Thomas-Moore could have had a penalty at the other end when he appeared to be brought down from behind in the penalty area but as has been the case a lot recently no penalty was given for Rovers and Aldershot almost went on to score at the other end.

Terry Gornell added a Second Goal just after Half-Time

Bozanic then shot wide for the home side as Rovers brought on Paul McLaren for John Welsh.  The substitute's corner shortly after coming on was hit goalwards by Gareth Edds but Terry Gornell couldn't convert.

Soon after, Michael Ricketts came on to replace Gornell, and the two substitutes could have made the game safe when the pair were sent clean through but failed to find the net after McLaren first failed to finish first time and Ricketts then fired the loose ball high over the goal and the large advertising panels behind the goal.

Deep into injury time Oliver Bozanic bundled home for the home side after Daniels has got injured shortly beforehand but there was barely time to re start the game and Rovers had booked their place in the third round and also got their hands on the £27,000 prize money.

Rovers will now face Premier League side Wolves at home in the third round on the weekend of 2^nd/3^rd January and Total Tranmere will bring you all the ticket details as they become available.

Full Time: Aldershot 1 - 2 Tranmere Rovers

Ashton Taylor

The three strikers all worked hard and John Welsh again had a good game in midfield but Ash Taylor gets the award for his midfield performance and for helping out the defence in times of need!