Glovers boss Russell Slade made just one change to the starting line-up that defeated Carlisle United 2-1 at Huish Park last Saturday, withdrawing David Poole in favour of Jean-Paul Kalala and in doing so setting up a new formation. Kalala settled in as the most withdrawn of a midfield five, with Wayne Gray operating as a lone striker. The Glovers were expecting an aerial bombardment from Ronnie Moore's side in a contrast of styles on the Wirral. An 8.5 hour journey up the M5 and M6 on the Friday was not ideal preparation for the team to try and come back with something from a ground where they lost 4-1 on the corresponding fixture last season.

Tranmere got the first significant shot of the afternoon in, after an opening five minutes that had seen the home side mainly contained fairly well up until that point. Former Nottingham Forest striker Gareth Taylor producing a wild shot that Nathan Jones deflected heavily for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Paul Terry had to be at his defensive best to clear the ball away from danger. At the other end, Ishmael Welsh skinned the experienced Chris Shuker, squaring the ball to Chris Cohen, but in taking it on his weaker right foot he could only provide a daisy-cutter into the arms of home keeper Gavin Ward. Minutes later, Cohen repeated his attempt on goal from distance, with the same result. On the whole, the Glovers had the brighter start in terms of territory, even if actual clear-cut chances were not being created.

Gareth Taylor again proved dangerous when he forced Steve Mildenhall to tip a header over his bar for a corner after Paul Terry had conceded a corner. At the other end, Kevin James came close when Tranmere keeper Ward punched a Jean-Paul Kalala cross weakly into the path of the on-loan midfielder, who caught the ball extremely well but couldn't keep his shot down. The main thing though was that the Glovers were quietening down the Prenton Park crowd and not giving them too much to get excited about at the other end, save for a few dangerous runs from Chris Shuker.

A lapse in concentration though was to cost Yeovil after the quiet start. Terry Skiverton had gone down injured following what looked to be a suspicion of an elbow from Gareth Taylor, who had been sent off the last time he came up against the Glovers ... for an elbow on Colin Miles, whilst Taylor was on Nottingham Forest's books. The Glovers seemed to lose focus on the back of this incident and Andy Lindegaard allowed Kevin ELLISON far too much space on the left side and as Chris Greenacre fed him with a pass, the winger raced through on 35 minutes, beating keeper Steve Mildenhall with ease. Ellison could have even grabbed a second two minutes later when a Chris Shuker cross was met by the same player but his header went wide of the target.

The goal seemed to affect both side's confidence in a fairly predictable fashion and the Glovers had to produce a five minute rearguard action to try and hold the ship steady where previously they had looked relatively comfortable. But with their first true attack since the goal had been scored, they drew level. The pace of Wayne Gray did superbly to keep the ball in play, he in turn fed Ishmael Welsh down the right wing and the loanee produced a superb cross to the back post, finding Chris COHEN perfectly placed to poke the ball home from 12 yards out and to squeeze it past keeper Gavin Ward for a superb equaliser, with just a minute to go before the break. Certainly the half-time team-talk was going to be a great deal easier with the Glovers now back on level terms.

The half opened with Tranmere making an early substitution was the experience of Jason McAteer was introduced to replace Paul McLaren just a couple of minutes in. Tranmere appeared to be rather more prepared for the second period who starved the Glovers of possession, leaving them chasing shadows. Nine minutes into the half and deservedly on the balance of play, Tranmere grabbed the lead back.

Nathan Jones lost possession and John MULLIN exchanged a quick one-two with Robbie Stockdale before grabbing the ball back and firing home from 18 yards out, with again the Yeovil defence going to sleep somewhat. The home side were well on top at this stage, and it would take a lot of character for Yeovil to grab play back a second time. The main weakness appeared to be out on the wings. Whilst most of Tranmere's play came through the likes of Ellison and Shuker, Yeovil's wide men were not so bright in their forward play.

After an age of very little going Yeovil's way and Tranmere looking completely in control, Arron Davies became the first substitution as Kevin James made way for him, with Davies going onto the right wing as Yeovil continued to plug away with their starting formation.

They nearly got it through Wayne Gray. He produced a 70th minute shot that forced Ward to tip the ball onto the post, and with a loose ball begging, no other Yeovil player was able to capitalise on the rebound. At the other end though, gaps were appearing, with Chris Greenacre bursting through two minutes later in a one-on-one with Steve Mildenhall, but the Yeovil keeper brilliantly saved Greenacre's shot that would have surely wrapped up the game for the home side.

With time running out, David Poole and Matt Harrold were brought on for Ishmael Welsh and Wayne Gray to try and introduce fresh legs and impetus, with Harrold now the lone striker. Robbie Stockdale forced Mildenhall into another great save, and Tranmere couldn't grab the loose ball as the Yeovil defence dithered slightly in terms of who should react first to the loose ball in the penalty box. Thankfully it came to nothing.

But the writing was on the wall when with 10 minutes to go Andy Lindegaard got a groin strain when stretching for the ball. Going down in severe pain, after some lengthy treatment he tried to continue but after much conversation he was proved to be unable to do so and with all three substitutes used, Yeovil were down to ten men - hardly what they needed in their efforts to get back into the game.

Despite the man disadvantage, the Glovers almost grabbed an equaliser through substitute Matt Harrold. He was fed by Chris Cohen but seems to be a player suffering from a loss in confidence since the season began and the chance was driven over the crossbar. At the other end, Shane Sherriff thought he had wrapped the points up with four minutes remaining as he converted from a corner, but referee Russell Booth, who had stepped in prior to the set-piece to warn players of pushing firmly told Tranmere that their infringements had persisted beyond the kick being taken.

In the dying minutes, Chris Greenacre hit the post as the Glovers tired visibly. Not even four minutes of injury time could help grab the game back. Tranmere had won the match during the opening 20 minute period of the second half that had seen them dominate possession and most importantly punish the Yeovil defence for a slack moment with the winning goal. Being down to 10 men was pretty much the final nail in the coffin.

MOTM Vote Result:

Pos	Player
1	Chris Cohen
2	Ishmael Welsh-Elliott
3	Terrell Forbes

Overall match rating: 6.4 / 10
Performance: 6.0
Entertainment: 6.8

68 votes received.

Any comments/questions please email ytfc.motm@tiscali.co.uk

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