Some Joy at Last as Rovers Win at Wycombe

Tranmere’s trip to face Wycombe Wanderers in League One last night proved fruitful indeed as an Ian Thomas-Moore’s early first half goal sealed their first win since mid-August and stopped the rot of seven straight defeats in all competitions and six in a row in the League….

Wycombe W 0 - 1 Tranmere R

                                                            Thomas-Moore 16

Attendance: 3,899

Tranmere got their first win since mid-august as they beat Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 away from home last night.  It was a massive three points to stop the rot and get the first away points on the board for this season.

There was an unchanged eleven to the side that drew with Colchester United on Saturday...

Daniels

Logan, Goodison, Broomes, Cresswell

Shuker, Welsh, McLaren, Carole

Ricketts, Thomas-Moore

Rovers, unusually playing in White away from home, started brightly but Wycombe could have led after just four minutes when Matt Phillips headed wide from 12 yards out.

Rovers were looking good early on especially through wingers Seb Carole and Chris Shuker who were both impressing the 150 or so Rovers fans who had braved the trip down to Buckinghamshire.

A decent spell of possession from the visitors then saw them win three consecutive corners and it was the third of these corners that brought the first goal.  The ball was drifted in and fell to Ian Thomas-Moore at the back post and from a seemingly impossible angle, he rifled a volley past Shearer and into the top corner for a superb opener and his first goal since Rovers' last win against Gillingham.

Ian Thomas-Moore (right) was Rovers' Goal Hero at Wycombe

Wycombe looked the poor side their League position suggested and although Rovers were kept busy at times, the home side's long ball game and poor efforts on goal meant that Rovers survived the spells where they had less possession.

Shaleum Logan tried an outrageous lob from 30 yards but it was easily dealt with by Shearer in the Chairboys goal before Wycombe had a couple of chances as Betsy headed off target and Pitman shot over.

Oliver then headed over for the hosts who continued to press but Rovers handled it well and this was typified late in the half when Daniels superbly tipped Pitman's header over the crossbar.

Half Time: Wycombe Wanderers 0 - 1 Tranmere Rovers

Former Chelsea and Leeds defender and now Wycombe captain Michael Duberry knocked a chance wide for Wycombe early in the half and Daniels also did well to keep out Zebrovski's header.  Phillips then volleyed wide, before Rovers came agonisingly close to doubling the lead when Shuker's cross, one of many good ones on the night from the winger, was met by Ricketts who headed against the bar and was eventually cleared by Scott Shearer.

Paul McLaren was the Man of the Match for Rovers

Daniels then did well to keep out both Duberry and Green as Rovers brought on Gareth Edds in place of the excellent Seb Carole.   Soon after that change, Alan Mahon came on for Chris Shuker.

It was a nervous end to the game for Rovers but the defence and Daniels did well to keep Wycombe out and earn a vital three points on the road ahead of Saturday's trip to Millwall.

Interesting Fact: Every time Ian Thomas-Moore has scored this season, Rovers have won.

Full Time: Wycombe Wanderers 0 - 1 Tranmere Rovers

Paul McLaren

On a night when the wingers made great strides towards a huge improvement in form, it was Paul McLaren who suddenly shone in the centre of midfield and was key to Tranmere's success with his passing and general hard work and determination.