February Update

With the weather starting to settle down allowing more football to be played - it has been an interesting few weeks. The above images are from recent trips to watch Tranmere Rovers and Gresford Athletic.

After the disappointment of the Oldham game I went to watch Tranmere at Prenton Park a fortnight later as they took on Leyton Orient in League 1. The Rovers put on a much better display with great strikes from Ian Thomas-Moore and Marvin Sordell giving them a precious 3 points in their battle to avoid the drop. A good run of form recently has seen them climb out of the relegation zone - all the more impressive given that it's the physio - Les Parry - leading the club.

Leyton Orient were slightly disappointing considering the experience they had in the likes of ex-Rover Sean Thornton (who got a 'warm' reception from the Prenton faithful) and journeyman Scott McGleish. Rovers played some good football going and were committed throughout and that was the difference despite Jonathan Tehoue's late consolation.

The trip to Clappers Lane - home of Gresford Athletic and the Cymru Alliance's bottom club - was with divisional rivals Buckley Town for a NEWFA Cup tie. This will probably be Gresford's last season in Welsh football's second tier for some time. Despite representing a fairly upmarket, leafy village the football club relies on the efforts of a very small band of followers to keep it going. The ground is basic even at Cymru Alliance level - tucked just behind the Village Hall - and on a bitterly cold February afternoon with a freezing wind the lack of cover is particularly noticeable.

The club are very hospitable and welcoming though - and I look forward to a return trip in the league next month when hopefully the temperature is slightly warmer. On this occasion Buckley ran out 3-0 winners and after an uncomfortable start, progressed smoothly to the next round.

Issue 139 of Welsh Football Magazine is out featuring my article on Elements Cefn Druids see - http://www.welsh-football.net/ for details. Issue 140 should be out in March for which I have written an article on the progress of the Wales Under-17 side of 2005.

Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Oldham Athletic

My last visit to Prenton Park earlier in the season saw a Tranmere Rovers team managed by John Barnes taken apart by a classy Charlton Athletic side.

A season of struggle was predicted for my local childhood club on the Wirral - with question marks over Barnes' long-term future at the helm. Unfortunately results and performances did not improve and with Rovers firmly in the League 1 relegation zone Barnes was axed in early October.

The appointment some three months earlier was a gamble which backfired as many on Merseyside feared it might. With nearly seven months of the season to go though there was plenty of time for a new man to salvage the season.

Few expected that man to be Rovers long-time physiotherapist Les Parry. Initially put in temporary charge following the dismissal of Barnes and his assistant Jason McAteer the physio has been handed the job to the end of the season.

It was an unconventional move but one which has done wonders for Scunthorpe United as Nigel Adkins made the transition from physio to manager at Glanford Park.

Having been at the club full-time since 1993 Parry knows his football and crucially - is a popular and respected figure amongst fans, players and management alike. Working alongside former Rovers players Shaun Garnett and Wayne Allison he has steadied the ship and earned Rovers enough points to give them a fighting chance of survival.

Thankfully Parry's move into the manager's chair hasn't put a stop to his humorous physio notes in the matchday programme - alongside the traditonally blander manager's notes.

Unfortunately the club has not been able to find an interim physio which has led to the unusual sight of the manager running on to the pitch to administer treatment to his players when required.

This home game against fellow relegation scrappers Oldham Athletic was understandably labelled a '6-pointer'. Under the leadership of Dave Penney the Latics look to have enough quality and experience to pull away from the drop zone sooner rather than later - and it showed in their victory over Rovers.

Tranmere were outmuscled in a number of areas throughout the game and though they kept Oldham at bay, they were undone by a set-piece just before half-time. Pawel Abbott rose highest in the penalty area to nod home from a corner.

In the second period youngsters like Ashton Taylor, Craig Curran, Terry Gornell and Aaron Cresswell, as well as the more experienced Ian Thomas-Moore gave plenty of effort but it wasn't enough.

The introduction as substitute of on-loan Watford youngster Marvin Sordell gave Rovers some guile and imagination going forward but service from the midfield areas was poor. Oldham had plenty of strength and experience in Reuben Hazell and Sean Gregan to cope while Deane Smalley was impressive.

For long stretches of the game Prenton Park was covered in fog which failed to hide the disappointing spectacle and scoreline that followed.

On this showing Tranmere's chances of avoiding the drop look touch-and-go but encouragingly the effort is there from most players. The return of influential forward Bas Savage from long-term injury could have a big say as we reach the business end of the season.

In the meantime Les Parry could really use an extra pair of hands in the physio's room at least to help ease some of the pressure and workload.

Man of the Match: Ash Taylor. The 19 year-old local lad from Bromborough is a tall, spindly centre-half with plenty of composure. This season has been a tough introduction to regular first-team football but the Welsh youth international appears to have taken it in his stride and looks destined for better things. Playing alongside the experienced Ian Goodison should help his development as he outshone more senior team-mates during this game.