After 120 minutes of football, it is Tranmere Rovers go into the Final of the Vanarama National League playoffs on Saturday 12 May after 4-2 win in extra time, at Prenton Park.
Many people expected this one to be an easy win for Tranmere Rovers and Micky Mellon, but outcome an in-form Ebbsfleet United side who did not roll over.
The game was level until 16 minutes in when Luke Coulson capitalised on some scruffy defending from the home side and looped a header over Scott Davies in the Tranmere goal.
This was then followed by a period of pressure for the visitors who saw efforts from Whitely and Kedwell go very close to doubling the lead.
Then it was the home side’s chance to attack and that they did, with a fabulous double save from Ashmore and then one block from a defender from Norwood’s effort to deny Rovers from drawing level.
Twelve minutes before the break the scores were level, Liam Ridehalgh found James Norwood who drove a low shot into the bottom corner, for the forward’s 22 goal of the campaign (including the regular season).
The pressure from the home side did not stop there, Nathan Ashmore, regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the league was called on again to deny a Josh Ginelly shot which was flicked on by Andy Cook.
Moments later, Tranmere attacked again, a cross whipped in from the left flicked on by Jeff Hughes but it just could not fall for Norwood, central of the penalty area.
The second half was all about who could come out stronger, and with just six minutes gone, the away side took the lead once more.
A mix up in communication at the back for Tranmere between defender Ritchie Sutton and goalkeeper Scott Davies allowed the ball to fall to Myles Weston who passed the ball into the empty net!
A great response from the hosts, Josh Ginelly who had been influential for the whites all game unleashed a ferocious shot into the top corner to level once more!
With Prenton Park erupting, Tranmere grew into the game very quickly and had chances to go into the lead but Ashmore again to the visitors’ rescue, Norwood’s effort straight at the keeper, Norburn’s attack which was dealt with by the man between the sticks for Ebbsfleet!
Fifteen minutes from time, saw both sides go for the win, Andy Cook headed wide at the far post before Danny Kedwell seen his shot fire over the crossbar at the other end.
With no winner at the end of 90 minutes, the game went into extra time, and with the away side already playing 120 minutes of football this week prior to today, it looked a big ask for Daryl McMahon and his team.
That proved with Tranmere having the majority of the first half of the extra time period, and Ashmore keeping his side in the game with saves from Norwood and Cook’s efforts at goal.
If there was a way to win this game of football, then it was to do it in style.
The home side finally took the lead for the first time in the match with a moment of class. A James Norwood free-kick curled into the top corner of Ashmore’s net giving the Ebbsfleet keeper no chance!
From then on it was Tranmere’s game, Larnell Cole smashed an effort home to make it 4-2 after some great play by the home side with great possession leading to the goal.
Unfortunately, it was ugly scenes toward the end of the match which will have an overriding factor on the great game of football.
A scuffle after a free kick was given to Ebbsfleet inside their own penalty area saw Dave Winfield struck Jay Harris who hit the ground and was consequently shown his marching orders by the referee.
In the madness, a backroom staff member of Ebbsfleet United was also sent off from the dugout.
With one half of the final selected now via the elimination process, Tranmere Rovers await whoever wins the other semi-final between Sutton United and Boreham Wood tomorrow.
TEAMS:
TRANMERE: 1) Scott Davies, 2) Adam Buxton, 3) Liam Ridehalgh, 4)Ritchie Sutton, 5) Stephen McNulty, 9) Andy Cook, 10) James Norwood, 15) Ollie Norburn, 18) Josh Ginelly, 24) Jeff Hughes, 29 Larnell Cole
Subs: 22) Rhys Taylor, 8) Jay Harris, 19) Andy Mangan, 16) Jack Dunn, 33) Manny Monthe
Ebbsfleet United: 1) Nathan Ashmore, 3) Jack Connors, 4) Dean Rance, 5) Dave Winfield ©, 6) Kenny Clark, 7) Jack Powell, 8) Andy Dury, 9) Danny Kedwell, 25) Luke Coulson, 27) Lawrie Wilson, 28) Corey Whitely
Subs: 2) Marvin Mccoy, 11) Myles Weston, 13) Jon Miles, 23 Norman Wabo, 26) Chris Bush.