Rovers pay the penalty

ANOTHER cup game. Another cup surprise. And once again it is little old Accrington Stanley at the helm.

Doncaster Rovers of the Championship had already fallen to the Reds in the Carling Cup. Premier League Newcastle United strutted into town last week, and limped away following one hell of a scrap with Stanley and lucky to be in the hat for the next round.

So when The Reds travelled to Prenton Park to play Tranmere Rovers, there was more than just a little optimism for the tie.

John Coleman recalled Australian Under 20 International goalkeeper Alex Cisak for clash, handing the former Leicester City shot stopper only his second appearance for the club.

His previous start came in that win away at Doncaster Rovers, when he replaced the inform Ian Dunbavin, but after doing nothing wrong all night, was promptly replaced by Bav for the following league game.

Andrew Owens was handed his full debut for the club after joining on a free transfer from Welsh Premier side Rhyl, while summer acquisition Michael Hall had to settle for a place amongst the substitutes.

Stanley started well, but soon found themselves forced into making a change as Jon Bateson limped out of the game after just 13minutes, meaning former Preston youngster Tom Smyth, was called upon to make his Stanley bow.

After the change the hosts took control of the game and had the better of the proceedings, with Cisak on top of his game to keep Rovers at bay.

Showunmi nodded just wide from Lucas Akins’ cross on 19 minutes before Ryan Fraughan’s snap shot bobbled inches wide of Cisak’s goal just three minutes later.

The Aussie was forced into stopping an Adam McGurk effort, just when the League One side thought they had taken the lead.

Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Accrington Stanley.

Showunmi was again looking a threat as the second period got underway, but his towering header was sent onto the roof of the Stanley goal, as Tranmere started to build a head of steam.

But it was Stanley who sprung a surprise as Ray Putterill scored on what was The Reds’ first attack of the half, ten minutes after the restart.

A long ball over the top baffled Rovers’ back line and some miscommunication between goalkeeper and defender allowed the former Liverpool youngster to steal in, knock the ball past the keeper and fire home from out wide. Tranmere 0-1 Stanley.

Andy Parkinson nearly made it two, just minutes later, as Stanley started to get a hold on the game, but his stinging effort was palmed away to safety by Joe Collister.

Jimmy Ryan continued the onslaught, but Collister was equal to his long range effort.

But then it was back to pressure on Stanley, as Cisak was once again called into action. Substitute Sam Morrow’s looping header forced Cisak to tip over, before McGurk was once again in the thick of it, but his shot went high over the crossbar as he beard down on goal.

The hosts were just starting to look like a beaten side. And then came the goal.

Dean Winnard slipped up at the back, which allowed former Leeds United frontman Showunmi through to slot the ball through Cisak’s legs to level the tie with just 11 minutes remaining on the clock. But ironically it was his mistake which lead to his side’s defeat as the tie headed into penalties.

Luke Joyce, Andy Parkinson, Peter Murphy, Phil Edwards and Jimmy Ryan all converted their spot kicks for the Reds. Unfortunately for Mr. Showunmi, he fired over the bar to give Stanley victory.

Stanley: Alex Cisak, Jon Bateson (Tom Smyth 13), Phil Edwards, Andrew Owens, Dean Winnard, Luke Joyce, Peter Murphy, Andy Parkinson, Jimmy Ryan, Ray Putterill (Chris Turner 75), Rory Boulding (Leam Richardson 71). Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Michael Hall.

Tranmere: Joe Collister, Liam Darville, Max Blanchard (Ian Goodison 90), Jermaine Grandison, Aaron Cresswell, Lucas Akins, John Welsh (Arnaud Mendy 46), Ryan Fraughan, Kayelden Brown (Sam Morrow 61), Adam McGurk, Enoch Showunmi. Subs not used: Simon Miotto, Zoumana Bakayogo.
Tranmere Manager Les Parry
‘We had a lot of balls into the box, we had a lot of half chances without making the keeper make too many saves. I thought we dominated the first half more than the second but we made him make a couple of saves in the second half. The disappointing thing with the first half is that we didn’t turn possession into chances.

‘There’s no complaints, it’s all about scoring goals and not about making chances.