Despite the over inflated match prices (£27 for an adult for third division football shouldn''t be allowed and needs to be looked at) it was nearly two decades since we had faced the tractor boys and with former rovers hero james Norwood in the blues line up it was still a game that had an added interest.
The coach cost £40 and the programme £3.50 plus food and drink it was going to be an expensive day out. We left at 7am and despite an accident on the M6 arrived with plenty of time to spare. Ipswich were sitting at the top of the table with rovers just above the relegation places but the away side started stronger and were unfortunate to have a goal ruled out as a long rang shot deflected off Paynes arm and into the path of Mullin who rifled home. It didn''t look like Payne new much about it but under the new rules it had to be disallowed. The game seemed to change on a couple of poor refereeing decisions when a two footed challenge on Danns went unpunished with the rovers player left crumpled on the floor Ipswich countered and won two free kicks the latter for handball vehemently challenged by Mullin was superbly hit into the top corner for 1-0. Tranmeres heads didn''t go down and they equalised within five minutes with Payne tapping in from close range. Mullin then appeared to be elbowed but the linesman deemed giving an offside decision was a better option which looked wrong from my viewpoint although he was a lot closer so the challenge went unpunished again ht 1-1. The second half started badly for the super whites as rovers keeper Davies fumbled another soft free kick and the rebound was hit home. Another fumble and punishment 3-1. Whilst rovers still pushed forward winning corners and free kicks and a few goalmouth scrambles Ipswich had upped their game having a goal ruled out for offside and Davies making two fine saves from Norwood who had generally been quiet marshalled well by the centre backs. A fourth did come with a great solo goal but 4-1 did seem harsh and didn''t reflect the overall game. On a very long trip home news came in that a coach run by the trust had broken down I believe they were taken to Corley services and had to wait until 4AM for a replacement meaning they probably didn''t get back to the Wirral until around 6am!!!
jhorspool 47
Mikel 40
Carlgooding 0
Doing the 92 is a free website run for football fans by football fans.
Please contact us
if you've got any questions, ideas or content you'd like to see added.