AWAY THE GAS
BY DARREN STOBBS
We entered the penultimate away game of the season with the possibility of winning seven league games on the bounce, last achieved in the 1952/53 season.
In that season Rovers won a remarkable 12 league wins in a row – that would take some beating! However, with the momentum we have, you feel as though anything could be achieved. That would of course need to roll over into next season.
We set off from The Mem at 8.00am and stopped at Sandbach services for 45 minutes and arrived at Prenton Park for 12.00pm. The journey up was free flowing, although we certainly dodged a bullet as we learnt that the M6 was shut around 1.00pm, causing significant delays. The steward that greeted us on our arrival was very welcoming.
After doing my research and also the handy pre-match information gave by Tranmere, ‘The Mersey Clipper’ was one of the recommended pubs for Rovers fans. This was situated a stone’s throw away from the ground. As we approached The Green King establishment, I could remember this from four years ago in our promotion season under Joey Barton. A friendly Tranmere fan outside asked how our journey was. You got the impression this is an away day you want to do next season and maybe lose the likes of Barrow and Newport next season (well, they are my choices anyway!) People might think with Newport not far down the road, it’s a strange choice. However, I enjoy an away day at Tranmere or Harrogate more so, and even Crawley for that matter!
Having arrived in good time, we needed all of that, with the already long queue forming inside the pub. It seemed the bar staff were not expecting a big crowd, although the two who were serving, were doing their best. No real ales were on offer, so my choice was Peroni. The usual other drinks you see in pubs were also on offer. We decided to buy two rounds at once, not to get caught up again in the long queue! Also available in the pub was a phone charging point, £2 for 30 minutes of charging, it was something I haven’t seen before!
We met up with someone we know who lives in the Liverpool area and himself and his partner decided to order from the QR code at the table, however this was still a failure, with no drinks coming for 25 minutes. We decided to make our way to the ground and for them to catch up!
When entering the ground, you are met with a large concourse area. Pies were on offer for £5 and burgers £6. Hot dogs were also available. The steak and kidney pie was a great choice, tasty and hot.
I spoke to a friend who made his way up by car and then made my way to a seat in the ground. Deciding to go further back in the stand, I re-entered the concourse and back up another entrance. The same friend saw me again and actually thought I’d purchased another pie – but I assured him it was the same one!
Now, I have a pie story to tell at another time and I would like to add that it didn’t involve me! To give a hint, it involved more than one pie being ate. I will save that story for after Walsall away next season!
Kick off was soon upon us and with a decent away following to Birkenhead of 751 Rovers fans.
We were certainly not at our best, especially in the first half, but we were producing some good build up play.
Some were critical of the first half, but we did control the first 25 minutes, with much of the ball in the Tranmere half. However, we gave the ball away too cheaply many times. Their fans were increasingly getting quieter as the half progressed, with a sense of nerves in the stands.
With an injury holding up play, Brad Young was asked by the Gasheads to ‘give us a song’. He then turned around and started one off, to the amusement of the Gasheads who joined in!
In the second half we found more openings, although not testing their keeper until our substitutes came on. Tranmere themselves offered some decent moves in the final third. We should have had a clear penalty when Joe Quigley was pulled down from his neck in the box. I commented that even a rugby tackle would have called up for a foul.
Promise Omechere came off the bench, after his long injury problems. With his first touches after coming on, he battled brilliantly down the left side and cut inside to shoot straight into the top corner from a tight angle. Tranmere responded well and a low cross from the left was found at the far side to put in for 1-1. The game was then in the balance. Yusuf Akhamrich, also off the bench, found the winner with an excellent solo run in which he calmly found the bottom left corner, from the edge of the box.
Shaq Forde won the vote for Man of the Match on the Supporters Club coach. I would like to add to that, Joel Senior. I thought he was outstanding, winning his duels and doing well under pressure. A few months ago players like Joel and Clinton Mola, would probably have been on the list of many Rovers fans to leave in the summer. However, you would now be looking to offer those players an extension to their contract. If there was an award for a most improved player, both of them would be contenders for it. The attendance at Prenton Park was 7,146.
We left Tranmere at 5:20pm and stopped for 20 minutes on the way back, arriving at The Mem for 9.00pm.
I would like to add my personal thanks for all the donations I have received on the Supporters Club coach. This is for a sponsored walk in memory of young fan Jayden Watts, who recently passed away. I am walking from my house in Oldland Common to The Mem on Saturday v Cheltenham Town and then back again after the match. This being a total of 14 miles (the age of Jayden), of which the money raised will go directly to the family.
