Tranmere 3 - 1 CALFC

Crewe travelled to Tran mere Rovers Ladies for the last game of the 2011/12 season hoping to build on their recent successful league campaign. The game started with both teams looking to play very attacking football, Crewe winger Kat Hodgeson had some good success down the right hand side, causing the Rovers full back plenty to think about and Jess Smith went close early in the game to give Crewe the platform they needed to build on. With Crewe pressing in the final third they were awarded a series of corner kicks, of which the opening goal of the game came from, a Leanne Derry in swinger found the head of Tash Broome who scored her first goal of the season for the Alex. Crewe continued to create chances and Jess Smith went close on a few occasions however the Tranmere defence were resolute and forced shots from distance. Tranmere however a constant threat as there number 9 caused the Alex defence plenty to think about with her movement and support ahead of the ball. It wasn’t long before Tranmere were back into the game however as they found a well weighted pass behind the Crewe defence for the number 9 to run onto, slotting past the oncoming Emily Riley who could do little with the oncoming forward who finished well.
This gave Tranmere a good momentum and it wasn’t long before they again capitalised on the midfield battle as the ball was turned over in the key central midfield areas. A second goal for Tranmere came just before the break as the Alex ladies who took the lead early in the game failed to hold onto possession and Tranmere replied by getting another goal just before half time.

The second half saw Crewe very much chasing the game and they did look as if they could have brought the scores level however a lack of composure with finishing lead the ball drifting wide of the posts and also rattling the crossbar. With Crewe committing players forward to get the goal they needed to get back into the game, they left themselves exposed at the back and Rovers took full advantage to get another goal back and seal the result for the team. Tranmere deserved the result and had some excellent youngsters which have progressed through their youth setup, this along with some good organisation from players and coaches certainly shows they will be competing next season for promotion honours as Crewe will have to learn from this result and this season as next year’s campaign will be another challenging one.