Tranmere came from behind to defeat in-form Bromley at Prenton Park and move four points clear of the relegation zone.
Interim manager Andy Crosby took charge of Rovers for the third match having drawn his first two. However, both of those first games are ones Tranmere could have won as they showed significant improvement versus the previous months.
With goals in short supply this season, Crosby went in search of Rovers’ first win since 4th January against Bromley, and did so by getting as many attacking players into the starting line-up as possible.
It was a brave move in some ways, as Keiron Morris was handed a start on his return from injury and lined up with Josh Hawkes centrally, just behind Kristian Dennis. Omari Patrick continued as left wing back with Cameron Norman on the opposite side.
It meant Rovers had a lot of quality in the middle of the pitch, and had 4 players centrally who are not only comfortable on the ball, but each capable of making things happen. Finley and Hendry the ones just behind Hawkes and Morris.
Kick-off was delayed for several minutes while ground staff chased a fox around the stadium. Yes, you read that right. A fox raced from the Kop end as the pre-match coin toss took place, covering the entire length of the pitch and briefly disappearing into the away end before making a run for the Main Stand. Eventually, play got underway.
Tranmere started positively, as they so often do. But on 27 minutes, it felt like a case of ‘same old’. Rovers gave up possession in the middle of the pitch and the visitors broke up the left, crossed it in low, and Michael Cheek converted low past McGee.
However, Crosby’s team weren’t going to lay down and take it today.
Within five minutes, a lovely bit of football up the left culminated in a superb run by Regan Hendry finding the midfielder in possession on the left. He pulled it back to Josh Hawkes who smartly slid the ball home.
Hawkes’ celebration was full of passion. The crowd favourite has found playing time hard to come by this season, to say the least. He was all but frozen out by Nigel Adkins despite having had a solid record of scoring or creating goals during his time at Prenton Park.
Crosby instantly put Hawkes into the starting line-up for his first two games. He’s looked sharp and committed, and now – surprise – has found the back of the net again.
Tranmere may have led before the interval, a Morris volley blocked when it looked like it was heading for the back of the net.
The teams were level at the break and the home fans would have been forgiven for being apprehensive as the second half started. So many times this season, our second half performances have been shocking.
Not today.
From the first whistle Rovers were at it, in Bromley’s faces and trying to press them in to errors. The SWA were right behind them. Patrick, Hendry and Dennis all went close.
On the hour mark, the excellent Morris was replaced. He’s barely played a game in two months, Crosby was rightly managing his game time. With the game tied at 1-1 and Morris one of our most creative players, it was still another quite brave decision to remove him.
Shortly afterwards, Prenton Park erupted as the turnaround was complete. Patrick gained possession on the left wing, stepped inside and placed a perfect shot inside the keeper’s far post.
Rovers had to deal with bits of pressure late on, but it was all from hopeful long throws and set pieces. There was a late Bromley penalty appeal waved away, and the SWA roared the team home through the closing stages.
An enormous win was greeted with jubilation at full-time. News of defeats for Carlisle, Morecambe and Accrington only added to the mood.
There’s a long way to go, but today could be massive.
A big well done to the players, and Andy Crosby.
