Rarely a dull game for West these days, and so it proved again with the visit of in-form Tranmere.

Absences meant a re-arranged back line for West, all excellent players, but not necessarily familiar playing alongside each other in a back 3. Tranmere used their pace to good effect in the early stages, their 8 and 9 both looking dangerous, forcing Claire into a couple of saves after 8 minutes. The pace from the flanks was telling when 8 beat the offside trap on 12 minutes, bearing down on Claire in goal, before squaring the ball for her team-mate to tap in. My kids hate it when I score goals like that in Fifa, but in reality it was a calm and assured thing to do.

We couldn’t cope with 8 and just a couple of minutes later she was beating our defensive line again, this time taking it on herself and scoring past Claire. 0-2 on 14 minutes.

This prompted a re-jig at the back, becoming a 4 instead of a 3, Jami dropping back to LB and Leah moving across slightly to RB. It definitely made us look much more assured at the back and although Claire was called into action again on 19 minutes, the runs in behind had been stopped.

West started to see more of the ball as we moved through the first quarter of the game, but still struggled to get anything happening in the final third, a Woodsy header off target from a decent Sophie cross was the best effort.

The 29th minute brought renewed hope for West. Another good ball from Sophie, and this time Rachael Dunlop finished well to reduce the deficit to one goal.

Disaster straight from the restart though, this time Tranmere straight on the attack and a fine effort from 25 yards sails over Claire and in. 1-3.

Deja vu on 33 minutes. The Tranmere 9 cuts in from the left and fires home again from 25 yards. 1-4 and West in real trouble against a clinical opponent.

The half still wasn’t done though, and West are awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute, which Shortz dispatches with her customary precision.

West trailed 2-4 at half-time and had it all to do.

We were on the front foot early in the second half and this led to another goal back for West in the 52nd minute. A brilliant finish by Sophie from a really tight angle. Everyone expected a cross, but she had other ideas. Special mention to Baby D who had created the opportunity with a great run. 3-4.

4 minutes later and excellent work from H who picked out Shannon. Her shot drifted just over, but West looking for the equaliser.

Unfortunately we became guilty of giving the ball away and were punished on 66 minutes, Tranmere regaining their 2 goal cushion, and things looking hard again for West.

Changes for West came on 68 and 77 minutes, but didn’t reap any immediate reward. In fact it was Tranmere who sealed the victory on 80 minutes – their 9 showing excellent strength and finishing comfortably to make it 3-6.

The game was drifting to a disappointing close until Paige battled for the ball on the edge of the visitor’s area. She showed excellent strength and then vision to play the ball back to Shannon who absolutely drilled the ball home from nearly 30 yards. The goal of the game, probably, but it was Tranmere who were more than good value for their win. 4-6.

Team: Jefferson (GK), Dolan, Edmondson (Vyas 68′), Mason, Bracegirdle, Mitchell, Kerr (Littler 77′), Billington, Hodges, Dunlop, Woods (Chalmers 77′). Subs: Fish, Francis

Attendance: 40