United Masters Miss Out On Crown
By Chris O'Brien
July 20 2004
Manchester United's 'old boys' were in action at the Manchester Evening News Arena on the weekend, but failed to capture the North West Championship. The Red Devils won only one of their three group stage matches, with the competition eventually won by Everton.

Past Manchester United greats were in action in the Sky-backed masters tournament on the weekend, but failed in their bid to make the final of the North West competition. Defeat for United in their final '6-a-side' game against Manchester City meant our arch-rivals went onto face Everton in the grand final infront of an excited crowd at the Manchester Evening News Arena.

The opening game of the competition, played between United, City, Everton and Bolton Wanderers, saw the Citizens ease past Bolton with a 4-0 victory. United were up next against Everton, and were on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat, with Sammy McIlroy netting only consolation for the Red Devils.

In the second round of matches, Manchester City and the Toffees battled out a nervous stalemate whilst United put their opening games blues behind them with a 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers, the weakest participators. Sammy McIlroy netted a brace with Mark Hughes and Clayton Blackmore also on the scoresheet.

Everton assured themselves a final spot with a 4-0 victory over the woeful Trotters, leaving City and United to battle it out for a place in the final. The Blues needed only a draw to dump their rivals out of the competition, and going in 3-0 at the break left United with an almost impossible task. A spirited fight back saw the scoreline dragged back to 3-1, Alan McLoughlin giving United hope, but the scoreline ended up 4-2 with Russell Beardsmore netting only late consolation for the Reds.

Everton and City had fought out a draw earlier in the tournament, and again couldn't be separated in the final with the 1-1 scoreline meaning penalties were required. Former Welsh international Neville Southall was the hero, eventually netting the winning penalty for the Scousers to secure them the trophy. The ceremony that followed saw special awards for United 'keeper Fraser Digby, with striker Sammy McIlroy getting player of the competition.

Over 8,000 were in attendance at the MEN Arena, mostly United and City fans, and all enjoyed an excellent days entertainment. All players seemingly thoroughly enjoyed the competition, and it is very well organised by Sky television. The crowd is thought to be the biggest for such an event in national history. The Toffees will now compete for the British crown with masters winners from other parts of the country.

Manchester United 'Masters' Squad: Fraser Digby, Paul Parker, Viv Anderson, Clayton Blackmore, Lee Martin, Russell Beardsmore, Sammy McIlroy, Alan McLoughlin, Andy Ritchie, Mark Hughes.

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