Totaal Collapse

Totaalvoetbal produced a sloppy end to their match with Tranmere Rovers which resulted in a 2-1 defeat at Prenton Park.

Totaal began the game full of confidence after the opening day triumph over Hun Haters. Edwin Hayter placed an effort past Onyszko but, unfortunately, also past the post and Johan Juffing saw a header come back off a post as they searched for an early goal.

Tranmere weathered this early storm before having a couple of free-kick chances of their own. Akinlabi Iwelumo could only hit his effort at Rimmer before Christiano Olias did the same thing before the break.

The second-half started in the same fashion as the first; Juffing immediately going close with a header. Horacio Metelo produced a moment of class from a free-kick two minutes later but could only watch on in despair as it brushed the post. Juffing was then back in the action but miss-hit his shot and Onyszko was more than equal to it.

Gabriel Dolff gave Tranmere some respite with a shot which needed saving by Rimmer before Totaal were to exert themselves once more.

A Juffing volley proved comfortable for the ‘keeper and Metelo would miscue from a free-kick but the goal did eventually arrive. Metelo finally making a free-kick count to leave Onyszko grasping at thin air and Totaal celebrating.

However, the goal proved a blessing in disguise for Tranmere as the visitors stopped playing thinking the job had been done. The equaliser was almost instant as Gabriel Dolff flicked a header past Rimmer on 70 minutes and worse would follow in injury-time.

With the sides looking set for a point apiece Dolff set-up Olias for a dramatic bicycle kick which squirmed through Rimmer and into the goal to give Tranmere an unlikely win.

Meeblind was downcast at the final whistle.

“For sure I’m disappointed. We haven’t done much wrong although it’s obvious to everyone where we have lost the game.

“We will be back in for some finishing practice as the lads have had enough chances to win three games. They know that. Hard work awaits them.”