Oliver Banks’ fierce first-half effort was the difference as Tranmere secured a 1-0 victory in their Sky Bet League Two play-offs semi-final first leg encounter against Forest Green at Prenton Park.
The midfielder struck with 25 minutes on the clock, as he unleashed a shot from 30 yards out that was given with the assistance of goal line technology.
Tranmere’s goal came shortly after the visitors were reduced to ten men when Gavin Gunning was shown a straight red for lashing out at Jay Harris, a decision that swung the momentum of the game at an early stage.
The home side pushed for a second goal in the latter stages but were left frustrated by a resilient Forest Green, who had little opportunity to grab an equaliser.
🚀⚽️ "Banks has a pop...oh my word that would have been some goal had it just found the net."
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) May 11, 2019
🙌 But thanks to goal-line technology it was given seconds later and won the match!
👏 @obanks_14 @TranmereRovers #TRFC pic.twitter.com/d1y547bbHP
As expected, Micky Mellon made a host of changes from the side that were beaten by Crawley on the final day of the season. Connor Jennings and Jay Harris returned to provide support behind star striker James Norwood.
For Forest Green, young goalkeeper Luke Ward was preferred to Jamie Montgomery in a side that was largely unchanged from their 0-0 draw with Exeter.
The contrasting styles were on display in the opening exchanges but it was Tranmere who had the first opportunity of the game. David Perkins applied the pressure which allowed the ball to fall to Norwood, although his shot failed to beat the Forest Green defence and the away side cleared.
A pivotal moment in the tie came after just 15 minutes. Forest Green midfielder Gunning clashed with Jay Harris, and while the Tranmere man’s challenge was fine, the retaliation was not.
Referee John Busby had little hesitation in showing a straight red card for the kick out. It came as a shock to Gunning, but replays highlighted how the officials made the correct decision.
Rovers made the extra man count, although there was little the visitors could do to keep out Banks’ thunderous effort on 25 minutes.
The Tranmere midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot from 30 yards out which crashed off the bar and bounced out. After a brief check of the watch from the referee, goal line technology showed how his shot had crossed the line to give the home side the lead.
🚀 - Oh my word, what a strike!
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 10, 2019
Ollie Banks opens the scoring at Prenton Park in sensational style, firing @TranmereRovers ahead with this absolute rocket! 💥
Watch the @SkyBetLeagueTwo play-off semi-final live on Sky Sports Football now or follow: https://t.co/E4pG28UvKq pic.twitter.com/rHdtS1fYtP
Forest Green were on the back foot and it was showing as they sacrificed the pace of Junior Mondal for Lee Collins in a defensive substitution, that coming moments after Norwood saw a vicious effort deflected wide and a shot from five yards out sail over from the resulting corner.
Moments before half-time, it was Norwood again who posed the biggest threat. He connected with a cross from the right but could only turn the ball wide.
There was one final chance of the half and it fell, once again, to the Tranmere striker. Jake Caprice found Norwood with another cross, although the header sailed over with little issue to Ward.
It took just three minutes for another big talking point, this time in Forest Green’s favour. Striker Christian Doidge was through on goal and a slight clip of the heels, seemingly accidental, from Emmanuel Monthe brought him down. The referee waved away any appeals.
Seconds later, Doidge could have maybe considered himself lucky not to have followed Gunning in receiving his marching orders. He appeared to put an arm into the face of Banks after the Tranmere midfielder had cleared the ball forward.
Whether or not that incident makes it into the referee’s report remains to be seen, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the authorities take a retrospective look at the clash.
It was looking like a rare off-night for Norwood. Tranmere found opportunities down their left with Liam Ridehalgh delivering crosses on multiple occasions. While Norwood usually thrives on that supply, he was failing to find the net.
Tranmere’s struggles in front of goal were highlighted by the 14 attempts they had to score up to the hour mark, yet Banks’ strike was the only one on target.
Forest Green were resilient and proved to be tough for Tranmere to break down. They came close again though as the game entered the last 15 minutes, Perkins’ header was saved low after he connected with Harris’ cross.
The visitors had another penalty shout waved away after George Williams went down under pressure from Ridehalgh. The appeal was ambitious with the referee in a prime position to see little contact had been made.
Tiredness began to show with loose passes breaking down attacks created by the hosts. The second goal didn’t come, but they still hold a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg on Monday.
