The most agonising thing about following any football team is not being able to get to the games and being forced to listen on the radio or Internet, helplessly as your side goes about their business. Lack of funds has kept me away from both the home win over Huddersfield and today’s clash at Prenton Park.
It was to prove to be as distressing as ever as we finished with a point despite leading 2-0 at half time for the second time this season.
Stuart Gray stuck with the same eleven that saw off Huddersfield Town last weekend, with Alex Russell keeping his place in midfield following the extension of his loan spell from Bristol City today.
Gareth Taylor had the first real effort of the game on ten minutes for the home side but Mark Bunn palmed the shot away to safety.
In the Cobblers’ first attack, we were in front as Andy Kirk notched his sixth goal of the season. Andy Holt flicked on Bunn’s long goal kick and Kirk nipped in a header over John Achterberg to give us a surprise lead.
Paul McClaren went close mid-way through the half but his long-range effort went just wide of Bunn’s post. Tranmere were seeming the more likely to get back into the game but the Cobblers broke away and got a second goal six minutes before the break. Jason Crowe found space down the right hand side having been fed by Kirk and his cross was met by Poul Hubertz who headed home to give us a two goal lead!
Just before the break, Rovers should have halved the deficit but Chris Greenacre’s shot straight at Bunn after a pull back from Chris Shuker.
So the Cobblers went into half time two goals to the good but we must have been wary of the “Orient effect”. At the start of the month, we were 2-0 up at Brisbane Road before Orient came back in the second 45 to claim a 2-2 draw so nothing would have been being took for granted in the Cobblers dressing room.
The Cobblers began the second half defending deep but again waiting for the right moments to counter attack. Ten minutes into the half, we broke after a Tranmere attack and Hubertz had a chance at goal but his left footed effort went wide. Gareth Taylor seemed to be causing all of the problems for Tranmere with his ability in the air but we were holding firm at the back as we clung on to the lead.
Just before the hour mark, Brett Johnson came off the bench to replace Andy Holt as we went more defensive.
Mid way through the half, Chris Shuker beat Jason Crowe on the right hand side. The Rovers midfielder crossed a dangerous ball into the area but it just missed the outstretched leg of Gareth Taylor.
With 20 minutes to go, the home side got right back into the game. Alex Russell miscued a clearance and Shuker buried a finish past Mark Bunn. Minutes later, Bunn had to be alert to deny Chris Greenacre as we desperately tried to hang onto the now one goal lead.
Poul Hubertz had an effort saved by Achterberg as we tried to ease the pressure on the defence but there was still fifteen minutes to go. Stuart Gray switched to a 3-5-2 formation with Brett Johnson playing at left-wing back.
With ten minutes to go, the Cobblers had a break away. Andy Kirk set up Brad Johnson but Johnson’s shot was weak and Tranmere had possession back. At the other end, Chris Greenacre volleyed wide as the game came to a thrilling conclusion.
Ryan Gilligan replaced Poul Hubertz before Brad Johnson had another chance but headed wide of the post.
With six minutes to play, the Cobblers won a corner and the ball dropped to Andy Kirk who hit a good effort but Achterberg made a great save to deny the Cobblers striker.
Tranmere should have been level soon after as Mark Hughes made a poor back pass to Bunn and Rovers substitute Craig Curran nipped in but shot wide. Andy Kirk was taken off to be replaced by Ian Henderson but the game was finally brought level in agonising fashion as Gareth Taylor headed home at the back post. Taylor had been causing problems all afternoon and the big man nodded the home side level.
Right on 90 minutes, Brett Johnson headed wide at the other end as the Cobblers looked to regain the lead. Tranmere pressed late on and Mark Bunn had to push out another goal bound effort but the game came to an end as a 2-2 draw.
So a point that is in exactly the same vein as the Orient draw back at the start of the month. We would have certainly taken the point at the start of the game but to be 2-0 at half time and be pegged back is so painful, especially listening to the commentary rather than being at the game itself.
But it’s still an unbeaten September for the club and five games without defeat before the trip to Millwall on Tuesday night.
It was to prove to be as distressing as ever as we finished with a point despite leading 2-0 at half time for the second time this season.
Stuart Gray stuck with the same eleven that saw off Huddersfield Town last weekend, with Alex Russell keeping his place in midfield following the extension of his loan spell from Bristol City today.
Gareth Taylor had the first real effort of the game on ten minutes for the home side but Mark Bunn palmed the shot away to safety.
In the Cobblers’ first attack, we were in front as Andy Kirk notched his sixth goal of the season. Andy Holt flicked on Bunn’s long goal kick and Kirk nipped in a header over John Achterberg to give us a surprise lead.
Paul McClaren went close mid-way through the half but his long-range effort went just wide of Bunn’s post. Tranmere were seeming the more likely to get back into the game but the Cobblers broke away and got a second goal six minutes before the break. Jason Crowe found space down the right hand side having been fed by Kirk and his cross was met by Poul Hubertz who headed home to give us a two goal lead!
Just before the break, Rovers should have halved the deficit but Chris Greenacre’s shot straight at Bunn after a pull back from Chris Shuker.
So the Cobblers went into half time two goals to the good but we must have been wary of the “Orient effect”. At the start of the month, we were 2-0 up at Brisbane Road before Orient came back in the second 45 to claim a 2-2 draw so nothing would have been being took for granted in the Cobblers dressing room.
The Cobblers began the second half defending deep but again waiting for the right moments to counter attack. Ten minutes into the half, we broke after a Tranmere attack and Hubertz had a chance at goal but his left footed effort went wide. Gareth Taylor seemed to be causing all of the problems for Tranmere with his ability in the air but we were holding firm at the back as we clung on to the lead.
Just before the hour mark, Brett Johnson came off the bench to replace Andy Holt as we went more defensive.
Mid way through the half, Chris Shuker beat Jason Crowe on the right hand side. The Rovers midfielder crossed a dangerous ball into the area but it just missed the outstretched leg of Gareth Taylor.
With 20 minutes to go, the home side got right back into the game. Alex Russell miscued a clearance and Shuker buried a finish past Mark Bunn. Minutes later, Bunn had to be alert to deny Chris Greenacre as we desperately tried to hang onto the now one goal lead.
Poul Hubertz had an effort saved by Achterberg as we tried to ease the pressure on the defence but there was still fifteen minutes to go. Stuart Gray switched to a 3-5-2 formation with Brett Johnson playing at left-wing back.
With ten minutes to go, the Cobblers had a break away. Andy Kirk set up Brad Johnson but Johnson’s shot was weak and Tranmere had possession back. At the other end, Chris Greenacre volleyed wide as the game came to a thrilling conclusion.
Ryan Gilligan replaced Poul Hubertz before Brad Johnson had another chance but headed wide of the post.
With six minutes to play, the Cobblers won a corner and the ball dropped to Andy Kirk who hit a good effort but Achterberg made a great save to deny the Cobblers striker.
Tranmere should have been level soon after as Mark Hughes made a poor back pass to Bunn and Rovers substitute Craig Curran nipped in but shot wide. Andy Kirk was taken off to be replaced by Ian Henderson but the game was finally brought level in agonising fashion as Gareth Taylor headed home at the back post. Taylor had been causing problems all afternoon and the big man nodded the home side level.
Right on 90 minutes, Brett Johnson headed wide at the other end as the Cobblers looked to regain the lead. Tranmere pressed late on and Mark Bunn had to push out another goal bound effort but the game came to an end as a 2-2 draw.
So a point that is in exactly the same vein as the Orient draw back at the start of the month. We would have certainly taken the point at the start of the game but to be 2-0 at half time and be pegged back is so painful, especially listening to the commentary rather than being at the game itself.
But it’s still an unbeaten September for the club and five games without defeat before the trip to Millwall on Tuesday night.
1 comment:
It will never last ... Danny .... They don't call us the COBBLERS for nothing .... ( smile )
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