Cup games - thick & fast

The following Saturday saw us begin our FA cup campaign against West Ham at home. After a brief consultation, members of the old Tranmere band decided to dust off the drums, add a bit of tinsle and purchase some cheesy santa hats to give our game a Christmas kick start. The atmosphere was fantastic, and was rewarded by one of the best volleys I have seen at Prenton Park as Nick Henry scored an absolute peach of a goal infront of us at the kop end. As the clock ticked by, in injury time at the end, Tranmere were punished for passing the ball back to the keeper. West Ham had a free kick inside the area, barely 10 yards out. The free kick was squared to an unmarked Rio Ferdinand who blasted well and truly wide. Prenton Park cheered as if we’d just scored, and that delight was enhanced when the final whistle went a few seconds later. We’d beaten a good premiership team and it gave our confidence a massive boost.

The big games were coming thick and fast, and a few days later we were facing Middlesbrough in the Worthington Cup quarter finals. Although Middlesbrough were a very good premiership team, I did not doubt our ability to win for a moment. We’d been playing brilliantly in the previous five games, so I expected us to win against them. A low cross from the Tranmere right wing allowed Dave Kelly an easy chance to score from close range which he duly took sending the Kop mad with celebration. However all celebrations were dwarfed by probably one the best goals I have ever seen a Tranmere player score. Midway through the 2nd half Andy Parkinson picked up the ball after a quick throw out from John Achterberg. I’m not sure exactly how many Middlesbrough players he cruised past - it must have been at least 3 defenders, but the result was a clear run into the right wing of the box infront of the cowshed end. He made no mistake with only the keeper to beat and sent the fans, manager and players wild with delight as he ran to the borough road end, spun round and pointed at his name on the back of the shirt. It could have said “Pele” for all I new - it was like watching him for a few seconds anyway!! Not even a late Christian Ziege goal could stop our progress as we won 2-1 on the night, and earn a mouth watering semi final against, who else, but Bolton!

Back to the league and I was pretty disappointed when we gave away a one goal lead to get get beat at home against a not-too-brilliant Norwich team, but good wins against two teams who were eventually relegated - Swindon and Walsall eased the minor blip!

Click here for next page