Soccer

Jarvis atones for miss to see Wolves through

Tranmere R 0 Wolves 1: WOLVES MIDFIELDER Matt Jarvis atoned for missing an open goal by scoring the winner in a hard-fought …

Mon Jan 04 2010 - 00:00

Tranmere R 0 Wolves 1:WOLVES MIDFIELDER Matt Jarvis atoned for missing an open goal by scoring the winner in a hard-fought victory at Prenton Park yesterday.

The FA Cup third round tie looked to be heading for a replay after Jarvis had side-footed wide from seven yards in the first half and Rovers’ Terry Gornell fired into the side-netting having gone round goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey after the interval.

However, 13 minutes from time Nenad Milijas threaded a brilliant ball between Tranmere’s two central defenders and Jarvis ran on to hit a first-time shot past Luke Daniels.

The win against a side 51 places below them in the league ensured Wolves avoided an upset and reached the fourth round – where they will face Championship side Crystal Palace – for the eighth successive season.

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Sub-zero temperatures at kick-off meant the Prenton Park pitch was only going to become more treacherous as the night went on and it took until the 17th minute for either side to create anything resembling a chance.

Jarvis whipped in a left-wing corner which Jody Craddock tried to flick on but goalkeeper Daniels was able to palm away the danger.

Tranmere produced the best passing move of the match in the 31st minute when they broke quickly from an inswinging Jarvis free-kick. Centre-back Ian Goodison, charging down the left wing, and John Welsh exchanged several passes before the latter hit a shot with the outside of his right foot which Hennessey claimed above his head.

Wolves should have taken the lead in the 35th minute when Chris Iwelumo flicked a header across the Tranmere penalty area and, with the defence static, Jarvis raced in but side-footed well wide of an open goal from seven yards.

Nine minutes into the second half Wolves were denied only by the brilliance of goalkeeper Daniels. When Stephen Ward curled in a left-footed cross Sylvan Ebanks-Blake rose highest and his header seemed destined for the top corner only for Daniels to claw out the ball with his left hand.

However, Gornell had a golden opportunity to put the Wirral side ahead in the 66th minute when he out-muscled Ward. The ball bounced towards goal but after sliding in and beating Hennessey the striker contrived to shoot into the side-netting.

The game’s one piece of real attacking quality in the 77th minute produced the winner. Milijas threaded a brilliant ball between Tranmere’s two central defenders and Jarvis ran on to hit a first-time shot past Daniels.