Rovers Lose at Orient With Only Two Defenders

A Ryan Jarvis brace and a Justin Miller goal was enough to give Leyton Orient all three points today at Brisbane Road. Chris Greenacre grabbed his 15^th goal of the season in the process but it was all in vain as Tranmere Rovers went crashing to an 8^th away league defeat of the season.

Tranmere went into this game on the back of two wins and a draw, so many peoples expectations for this one was high, even with the numerous players that were either injured or suspended. This recent little run of form has seen Rovers propelled into the play – off places although they’ve played a game or two more than others around them but there is a chance they wont all win and lead by a few points anyway.

After the injuries and suspensions that have struck Rovers over the last couple of weeks they were forced into some tactical changes for this encounter that saw Gareth Taylor dropping into defence to play center back with Shane Sherriff. Their were two changes to the starting eleven that drew 2-2 with Cheltenham Town. Calvin Zola got his chance upfront alongside Chris Greenacre and Chris Shuker while Danny Harrison went in to fill the to fill the right back slot, making only his second appearance in that position.

Carl Tremarco managed to shrug off a calf strain that he picked up in midweek and played the full 90 minutes. Ian Goodison, Chris McCready missed the game through suspension while John Thompson and Robbie Stockdale were injured and therefore also, missed the trip too London.

Ronnie Moore opted to play a 4-3-3 formation with Jason McAteer, John Mullin and  Paul Mclaren filling Midfield and Chris Shuker and Chris Greenacre tucked behind the front man Zola. After the midweek performance of Gavin Ward he had something to prove to those Rovers fan who are doubtful about his ability.

The early exchanges bought on a couple of saves from Ward, that where easily dealt with in the opening five minutes at Brisbane Road. Chris Shuker went close a few minutes later when he tested the Glyn Garner from the edge of the area, but the Welsh born Orient keeper was equal to the effort. A few more decent chances went begging either end until the deadlock was broken on 18 minutes when Gareth Taylor cleared the ball with his head from a corner kick only to Justin Miller the edge of the box, who fired a well taken volley through a crowded penalty box and into the Tranmere net, Gavin Ward had no chance.

It didn’t take long for Orient to double their advantage when the on-loan Norwich striker, Ryan Jarvis, who grabbed a hat-trick in midweek against Millwall added to his impressive tally on 30 minutes. Gary Alexander out passed the covering Gareth Taylor, he then played a neat ball across the path of his team mate Jarvis who duly obliged by smashing home beyond the helpless Ward. By this time their seemed no way back for Tranmere as the two early goals had stunned them and the depleted squad was having an affect. But just as Orient may have sensed the points being in the back, Rovers responded quickly and were still in the game thanks to Chris Greenacre’s 15^th goal of the season. After taking a knock down from John Mullin, off Jason McAteer’s cross he placed it straight into the net beautifully, executing a well timed volley from 12 yards, which sent the Rovers fans wild!

With three goals being scored in the first 35 minutes, the crucial goal was going to be the fourth and it went to the home team. On 39 minutes that man again Jarvis got the second of his brace, and realistically before half time put the game to bed. Leyton Orient’s top goal scorer Matt Lockwood assisted the final goal in the game after hitting an initial shot against the body of Chris Shuker. He found the ball at his feet for a second time and made no mistake on placing it were he wanted it…. right across the center of goal, seeing Jarvis slide home the goal that concealed Tranmere’s miserable afternoon of woes.

Tranmere seemed rattled again and it was as if all the hard work had been undone. Orient could of made 4-1 after 47 minutes when Jarvis had the chance to complete two hat- tricks in the space of five days, but Jarvis fumbled it and his shot went just wide of the post.

Rovers came out in the second half with the belief of another comeback on the cards as Tuesday nights game with Cheltenham shows when Greenacre scored in injury time. The tempo went up a notch as they went in search of a vital goal to get them back in the game once again. Possession was even for most parts in the second half but Rovers had most of the decent chances just lacked the cutting edge to get the goal they so desperately wanted.

Orient had a few chances of there own and could of extended their lead further if Gary Alexander and then the follow hadn’t of been to such a poor standard.

Kevin Ellison was brought for Jason McAteer with 23 minutes left to play to try and conger up a goal. Chances after that were few and far between and when Calvin Zola had a superbly saved effort tipped over the bar and from the resulting corner couldn’t take advantage, this just wasn’t going to be Rovers day.