Tranmere's Only Hope For Cup Success

By Quayle
January 17 2005

After the Fa Cup 1st round exit against Peterborough, and 2nd round Leauge Cup defeat to Portsmouth, Rovers have only the LDV Vans Trophy to claim silverware. In the quarter finals of the Northern Section, Rovers travel to League 2 side, Macclesfield. Rovers can realisticly go on to win the Trophy.

LDV Vans Trophy. Not the glamourest of trophies, but one Tranmere have their eyes set on. This is more than likely because of the other shock cup exits. In the League Cup we went out in the second round, but to a much better Premiership side, Portsmouth. Perhaps I feel bitter because of the manner we conceded the goal. A big scramble in our box, was finally finished when Diomansy Kamara cleverly knocked it in the net. But the FA Cup, it was a disaster. Tranmere are well known for their amazing Cup runs, and we all know what it can do for morale. Last years quarter finalists go out in the first round, it's normally unheard of, but yet it happened. It wasn't as if we went out to a much better side like the League Cup, it was to a side who are struggling in the same league as us, were we are flying mighty high. That team was Peterborough. But I can't take any credit away from them. Barry Fry's men stuck at it for 90 minutes, and their persistence paid off. An 89th minute goal sunk Rovers' hearts. A team who normally defeats the giants, is giant-killed themsleves. It just shows if the drawes go your way, like last season when Rovers only had 2 away drawes, who knows what can happen. But I will still be looking out for the FA Cup, as it is the best competition England offers. So now you know how much the LDV Vans Trophy will boost morale. We don't normally look to this competition in any shape or form, but all of a sudden it seems its there for us to grab with both hands. Althought we are away on Tuesday we should seal the win. So far we are the highest placed team in the leagues in the Northern Section. This should give us a huge advantage over smaller teams, like Macclesfield. This year I have realised what the LDV Vans Trophy is really about I know alot of the people will see this article and think it has no importance to them at all, but I wouldn't publish this if I didn't think otherwise. The LDV Vans Trophy is a great cup for the small teams, like ourselves. In this cup the small teams compared to your Man Utd's, Liverpool's and Chelsea's look big like your Tranmere's Luton's and Bradford's compared to the Shrewsbury's, Kidderminister's and Chester's. I feel this cup will soon catch on. As I have watched it for many years now, I know why it's so enjoyable and can be as equal and more exciting as the FA Cup and League Cup. Because of the system were only League 1 and 2 compete its far more competitive and not as predictable. Although sometimes you get the odd team reaching the semi's or quarter's its nearly always a Premiership side in the final for both cups. In fact, I can't remember a Premiership side not being in the final for any cup. So I hope youv'e learnt a bit more about the cup. Try to spread the word. This cup is catching on. More than you think. If you want more information on the LDV Vans Trophy or anything mentioned in any of my articles, don't hesitate to contact me on quayle@hotmail.co.uk. If just one person reads this and remembers it for its quality, I will be happy and know a jobs been accomplished. Remember spread the word to friends, Sportnetwork users, parents. Anyone. This site is on the up, I promise you that.