Tranmere (A) - League 2 - 29th December 2024
Played 22
Won 2
Drawn 7
Lost 13
To say 2024 has been an annus horribilis for The Soccer away from home is probably about right, and following the Boxing Day battering at the Peninsula Stadium, the mood among Bluebirds supporters arriving on a peninsula of a different sort was one of relief that this is the final time we would have to drag our weary bodies up into an away end and warm up our vocal cords, faintly anticipating that today somehow might be different against an equally out-of-sorts Tranmere side whom we enjoyed a cushion in the table ahead of this afternoon's encounter.
In terms of team news, out went Spence and Mahoney (hopefully whilst the former recovers from a head injury, the penny will finally drop that he is not a number 10) and in came Junior Tiensia, starting in his natural left-back berth, rather than on the left of a back three as per Walsall (a) the other week, with Ben Jackson pushed further forward and the lesser-spotted Dom Telford who would partner Emile Acquah up top in a rare start as Stephen Clemence looked to bounce back from the Boxing Day battering in Greater Manchester.
It looked very much like a 4-4-ruddy-2 or at least a variation on the theme, and that appeared to pay dividends early on as a speculative Robbie Gotts daisy-cutter was deflected in off Jordan Turnbull to give the Bluebirds an early lead. Cue unexpected pandemonium in the away end and proof, if proof be needed, there is often value in getting a shot away on goal, especially for this goal-shy Bluebirds side that have accrued the sum total of 13 points on the road this season.
Following Barrow taking the lead, there was little in the way of a response from Tranmere, nor was there much prospect of us increasing our advantage. In the 34th minute, Barrow shot themselves in the foot. A misjudged header back to his own goalkeeper fell into the path of a tattooed Tranmere attacker, leaving Paul Farman in a bit of a pickle. Although said opposition player was moving away from goal, our custodian decided to upend him; a penalty was awarded and duly dispatched by BBC Radio Cumbria's Omari Patrick.
This was soon followed by another Tranmere effort which was dragged narrowly wide in front of an increasingly edgy away end before a couple of meaty challenges resulted in an ill-tempered end to the first half, resulting in a mini-melee as the players entered the tunnel for the interval and raised expectations for a lively second-half encounter with Barrow shooting towards our own supporters.
This did not disappoint as both sides raised their efforts in search of an elusive victory. A couple of early Tranmere efforts were responded to by an attempt by the profligate Emile Acquah, which was headed narrowly wide when he really ought to have troubled Tits McGee in the Tranmere goal. Whilst there was no lack of effort from our number 20, it again didn't quite happen for him, and he lost the most duels out of any player on the pitch, which tells its own story.
Dom Telford also did little to stake a claim for a starting place, being replaced by Andy Dallas in the 65th minute. Clemence opted to be frugal with his substitutions, either opting to a) save his attacking options for New Year's Day or b) the substitutes named not being fit enough to be used for anything other than an emergency. It is no coincidence the Bluebirds started to create more problems for Rovers from here on in.
However, attention soon switched to the increasing incompetence of referee Bannister, who did not come bearing gifts, with a penalty shout for a foul on Newby and a clear shirt pull on Theo Vassell falling entirely on deaf ears, much to the annoyance of the travelling contingent. There is no Barrow-based refereeing conspiracy as far as I am aware, but our inability to receive one of these decisions in our favour continued to leave me dumbfounded.
There was to be further annoyance in the 81st minute as a Barrow side that kept getting in behind a tiring Tranmere back line failed to make their opportunities count in spectacular fashion. We all know that you would never find Elliot Newby's name under the definition of prolific in the Oxford English Dictionary, but his latest effort to get his name on the scoresheet was scarcely believable. Initially producing a good save from Tits McGee, the ball fell back to Newby who, with the goal gaping, opted to place a right-footed shot directly to the goalkeeper when it was surely far easier to score; a third attempt with his left foot then came back off the post, in front of a bewildered 387-strong away following.
This set the tone for the remainder of the game, with the dominant Theo Vassell having a header parried onto the crossbar shortly after. Barrow, with extra wind in their sails having introduced Neo Eccleston for Chris Stokes in a rejigged back line with Rory Feely deputising at centre-half, looked dangerous and were the side pushing harder for victory. Nonetheless, we were vulnerable on the break, with Paul Farman having to produce a couple of important saves to ensure that a hard-earned point was retained; it would have been disastrous had it not been.
At the full-time whistle, there was a warm and more positive embrace between players and staff that helped to put the unsavoury scenes in Salford behind us. It was a performance full of effort that arguably deserved three points rather than one against a team who were able to put their feet up on Boxing Day after fog shrouded the Wirral peninsula. From the indefatigable 38-year-old Sam Foley to a scarcely used Junior Tiensia, everybody played their part and contributed towards the cause.
We have a five-point cushion over today's opponents, which, given the compactness of the league table, is more substantial than it would initially appear. It's now over to you, Iain Wood, to bring in some much-needed leadership and guile in the January transfer window. Improving our away record in 2025 is essential if we're to steer away from any possible danger and even think about troubling the playoff positions come March. But for now, it's all about the home comforts with a Yorkshire double-header against Bradford on New Year's Day and Harrogate the following Saturday. Let's hope that familiarity helps us build confidence and with bodies through the door, we'll be a tougher proposition away at Port Vale and Swindon in the following weeks. It feels like it may define our season (and beyond).
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