Jackson Off as Dismal Rovers Fall to Millers

By Deadly Submarine
April 9 2006

A dismal display from Rovers sees relegation placed Rotherham United earn a deserved 2-0 win at Millmoor on Saturday. To add to Rovers’ misery, captain Mike Jackson was deservedly dismissed in the 84th minute for a scuffle with Rotherham’s Michael Keane who was also dismissed.

 

 

                        Butler 73                              

Shaw 78                               

                                                                             

 

Attendance: 4,129

 

 

Rotherham’s Millmoor Stadium is surrounded by scrap-yards and ironically that is exactly where several of Rovers players deserved to be after an abject display that saw them fail to muster a goal-scoring chance in the whole ninety minutes of the game.

 

After a goal-less first half, Rotherham started the second half by winning a penalty that was excellently saved by Rovers keeper Steve Wilson.  But sadly for the goalkeeper, he was unable to keep a clean sheet as Rovers succumbed to two goals in the space of five second half minutes and slumped to a 2-0 defeat that leaves them back under the cloud of possible relegation.

 

After the 3-0 win over Port Vale the previous Friday, it was expected that Rovers would stick with the same team and 4-3-3 formation from that game but Brian Little opted for a formation that was confusing to understand for the Rovers followers.  Injured Jason McAteer was replaced by Ian Goodison as Rovers lined up in a 3-4-3 formation with Gareth Roberts and David Raven operating on the two sides of the midfield.

 

The home side began the game well and Steve Wilson was forced into an early save after just six minutes when Jonathon Forte got the better of David Raven.  Just a few minutes after that chance, Stephen Quinn fired wide for the Millers after some good build up play as the danger signs began to appear for Rovers.

 

On seventeen minutes Calvin Zola, who had looked a threat without actually doing too much, fired over the crossbar from distance when a pass out wide to David Raven or even a longer run at goal may have been the better option.  Unfortunately for the striker, he appeared to injure his back in the process and was taken off just two minutes later.

 

Danny Harrison came on in place of Zola as Little changed the formation to 3-5-2.  The change seemed to have a positive affect for Rovers who had a little more possession but still failed to create any clear-cut chances.  The best chance for the visitors in the first half fell for Steven Jennings whose attempted lob into an open goal went wide after Cutler in the Millers goal, had come out of goal to clear the danger.  Danny Harrison also fired wide just before half-time as a dull first-half ended goalless.

 

The second half had barely when begun when the home side won a penalty when Mike Jackson handled a Forte cross in the penalty area.  As Williamson stepped up, Steve Wilson made a wonderful save to his right to keep Tranmere in the game at the expense of a corner which came to nothing for the home side.

 

Raven had a chance sail wide for Rovers and Wilson again made a save, this time from Barker to keep the game at 0-0.  However Wilson was eventually beaten in the 73^rd minute as appalling defence from Rovers allowed substitute Martin Butler to finish low to Wilson’s right after a cross from Williamson.

 

After O’Leary headed Greenacre’s cross wide, things got worse for Rovers as just five minutes after going ahead, the Millers doubled their lead with the defence again to blame.   Jonathon Forte broke down the Millers left and crossed for Paul Shaw and despite a fantastic point blank reaction save from Wilson, the rebound was but in by Shaw as Rovers fans appealed that Shaw had used his arm to control the ball.

 

Brian Little replaced Steven O’Leary and Ian Goodison with Sam Aiston and Steve Davies straight after the goal but Rovers’ performance did not improve.

 

The final act of a sorry day for Tranmere came with six minutes remaining when Mike Jackson and Michael Keane were sent off for a scuffle in which both players appeared to raise their arms.  Jackson will now be suspended for three matches out of Rovers remaining five.

 

The defeat leaves Rovers once again facing the closing gap of the relegation zone after teams below them won and the eight point they did have became six.  Next up for Rovers is Nottingham Forest at home next Saturday (Easter Saturday) followed by a long trip to Colchester on Easter Monday.

 

 

Steve Wilson:  On a bad day Rovers, Steve Wilson tried his best to keep them in the game with an excellent penalty save and a point blank reaction save from Shaw which unfortunately saw the rebound go in for Rotherham’s second goal.  Wilson’s kicking was once again up to standard too.

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Little Speaking the Tranmere Rovers Official Website:

"It was a poor day for us. It just never happened - we never did enough. Calvin coming off injured didn't help and on reflection putting Steve Davies on would have helped us keep our shape.  We put the three midfield players on and while we looked reasonably solid we didn't create enough.  I'll have to take that one on the chin and say the substitution might not have been the right one.”

"The lads weren't bright enough which is surprising as they have been lively all week in training.  The goals were poor from our point of view.Jacko lost his man at a corner and he rifled it in and it got worse from there.  His sending off made the day even worse.  He has pushed him over and taken to the letter of the law he might have to go.  Michael should know better than that. The ref was left with very little chance to do anything else.”

 "I couldn't see them scoring until they got the first.  When Willo saved the penalty you thought we were going to get a draw.  Perhaps it was a game that we might have been more ambitious in.  We should have been strong enough to hold on for at least a draw.  After we played so well last week it was disappointing to see us play so poorly here.  Whether the tactics are right or wrong, we can play better than that."