Another Late Show Sees Rovers Take The Points.
By Deadly Submarine
December 28 2008
Goals late in each half from Ian Goodison and Antony Kay sealed a 2-1 win for Tranmere at home to Walsall on Sunday afternoon, a win which was deserved for the home side although gutting for the visitors who seemed to have earned a good away point in the final game of 2008.
Tranmere 2 - 1 Walsall
Goodison 43 Reich 53
Kay 90+3
Attendance - 5,913
At the moment every game Tranmere take part in seems to save a last minute twist and against Walsall today it was no different. Ian Goodison netted the opener before the visitors then equalised with a penalty, only for Tony Kay to volley in, in injury time to earn the three points.
There were a two changes to the side that drew with Hereford two days ago with Chorley and Moore coming in to replace Gornell and Johnson meaning that the team looked like this....
Coyne
Edds Chorley Goodison Taylor
Shuker Kay Jennings Sonko
Savage Moore
The opening ten minutes saw both team create little but it was a fast game with possession switching between the two teams.
Rovers first real chance fell to Ian Moore who tested Ince after being set up by Andy Taylor. Moore had a second chance when Edds crossed for the striker to head at Ince.
On 29 minutes Shuker went on a long and promising run goalwards, before teeing up Kay who drilled narrowly wide. Bas Savage saw his a shot go across the face of the goal shortly afterwards.
Rovers did take the lead on 42 minutes though as Shuker took a corner short and received the ball back from Taylor before crossing goal wards. Ian Moore then let the ball run through to Ian Goodison who tapped in at the back post.
It was Ian Goodison's first Rovers goal for nearly three years (since March 2006 and it was his first ever at Prenton Park after nearly 220 appearances for the club.
Half Time: Tranmere 1 - 0 Walsall
Rovers came out for the second half in a positive mood and continued to threaten the Walsall goal. The first real chance of the half fell to Andy Taylor who volleyed goalwards after Shukers cross was cleared but his well struck shot was cleared from close to the goal line.
Somehow on 54 minutes, Walsall were level after hardly threatening the Rovers goal all game. Ibehre was brought down by Goodison in the area and without hesitation the ref pointed to the spot. Marco Reich scored from the spot to level the scores.
Just two minutes later and Rovers were nearly back in front. Moore found Sonko in the space and his shot cannoned back off the post, the ball then eventually fell to Kay whose dipping effort was saved easily by Ince. Soon after Kay volleyed into the side netting, as he seemed the most likely to score.
Sonko was then replaced by Cresswell as the former Walsall man went off to applause from both sets of fans.
Nicholls then headed straight at Coyne but Tranmere continued to press with Cresswell shooting wide.
Rovers nearly went ahead with a great passing move involving Taylor, Shuker and Cresswell but the ball eventually fell to Kay who shot wide.
There was to be one last chance deep into injury time as Moore broke down the wing held the ball up and waited for runners and picked out the ideal man in Antony Kay whose volley smashed the back of the net and Rovers had won it, Prenton Park erupted as Kay had netted a last gasp winner in consecutive home games.
Full Time: Tranmere 2 - 1 Walsall
Antony Kay
A driving force in the midfield and throughout the game looked most likely to score. If you don't shoot you don't score and this couldn't be more relevant to Tony Kay who had a few near misses before deservedly smashing in the winner. Many will see him as out most important player and its hard to argue.
Kay has to be kept in the side. He's on the form of his life currently.
Nice to have last minute victories again after being at the receiving end of it against Scunny & P'boro.
Having said that though on current performances I would drop Goodison and play Kay at the back.
if he played at centre back we would take away a big goal threat
maybe play waterfall at cb or shotton if he comes back
