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We began kicking into an unforgiving wind and this had a part in us falling behind within a couple of minutes. A long ball up field drew both our centre backs. Both got under it and the Tranmere captain streaked clear, unopposed. Dan Brown was left 2-on-1 and, though he attempted to cover both men, it was never going to work and the forward slotted past the exposed Woodhead.
We had an almost immediate response but a Liam Newman shot was deflected over the bar. The wind was making it tough to play and the game was scrappy for much of the 1st half. Our visitors saw a shot powered over after a defensive error, while Brown's forays up the wing were proving troublesome for the Tranmere left back.
We slowly began to come to terms with the conditions as the half wore on and managed to carve out a number of chances. Newman was looking very sharp with him involved in all our openings. He firstly had a snap shot blocked by a completely unaware defender. Then he slipped Knowles in on goal, seeing his shot blocked. The score for the first half however remained at 0-1.
Two minutes into the 2nd half and our first attack looked to have paid dividends. James Craggs broke through the defensive line and was felled by the keeper. The stopper evaded any card and it was the winger himself who dusted himself off to take the spot kick. He shot to the keepers left, but the youngster guessed right and palmed the ball away from goal.
We tried not to let the miss affect us and before long we were playing good football and were very much in the ascendancy. Chris Anderson shaved the post with a shot from the edge of the area as we pushed for the equaliser. It wasn't long in coming and it was the deserving Newman who got it. A ball from the back was glanced on by Oliver Devenney on the right wing. Newman read the flick before the defence and broke through, rounding the keeper and slotting in from a tight angle.
Following the goal the game again fell into a scrappy period. There was an element of needle also entering into the contest, much of it involving Devenney. He was on the receiving end firstly, then gave a little back and the ref did well to keep his cards in his pocket. We also broke up the play with some substitutions. It was great to see the first one, as Ben Hoskin returned from a long lay off to slot in at left back. The prolific Wes Fletcher also replaced Knowles as we chased a winning strike.
During the last 15 minutes we had numerous chances to clinch a winner. Devenney fired in a sweet strike which the keeper did well to save after seeing it late. Craggs was again sent clean through and attempted to slide it past the advancing keeper, but saw it blocked and bounce clear. The rebound though went straight to Fletcher who hit it first time but he too found the keeper.
With around a minute left though we got the deserved winner. A corner routine from the right broke down and the ball found its way to Hoskin on the half way line. He looked up and curled a ball in towards the penalty area. The keeper came to punch but Newman rose before him and his head diverted the ball over his fists and into the back of the net, sealing a 2-1 win.
Despite rumours there has been no contract news regarding the second year scholars. It has been suggested that decision time is approaching though. I'd just like to offer them luck ahead of this important moment in their careers. I certainly don't envy Owen Coyle and the hard decisions he may have to make regarding this excellent group of lads.
Team:- Ben Woodhead, Dan Brown, Jake McEneaney (Ben Hoskin), Chris Lynch, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Anderson, Michael King, Oliver Devenney, James Craggs, Liam Newman, Dom Knowles (Wes Fletcher).
Subs not used:- Dil Chaggar, Goal Keeper