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Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut

Rovers Rock!
By Deadly Submarine June 29 2008
After a great night of entertainment, Tranmere clinched a superb victory in the Merseyside Masters event at the Liverpool Echo Arena last night beating Liverpool in the final to win through to the National Finals in Birmingham in September – also seeing off Everton and Wigan in the process.
Rovers Prove They are the Masters on Merseyside
  

In the Official programme they were tipped to finish fourth but in the end it was a great night for the Wirral as Tranmere Rovers clinched victory in the first ever Mersey Masters competition which also broadcast live to the Nation on Sky Sports 2.

Having never appeared in the Masters before and being the lowest place League Team of the four, it would seem Rovers were far from hot favourites to win the tournament but inspired by ‘man mountain' George Santos and the excellent Eddie Bishop, the other teams were no match for a fit looking Rovers side.

The fact that Rovers also had the best fans on the night (and the second biggest amount of fans after Liverpool it seemed) made it a superb night and a great way to start the new season off in a couple of weeks time.

In front of a near full house at the Echo Arena, the Rovers Squad consisted of nine ex-Rovers players....

John Achterberg, Steve Mungall, John McGreal, Kenny Irons, Eddie Bishop, Ian Nolan, Ged Brannan, Stuart Barlow and George Santos.

The first game of the night saw Liverpool beat Wigan 3-2 in an exciting game before the time game for Everton to exact revenge for the 3-0 Rovers win at Goodison Park in the FA Cup a few years ago.

Everton though were no match for a strong Rovers side as the Whites, captained by former Everton and Wigan striker Stuart Barlow sailed into a 3-0 half-time lead before eventually going on to win 5-1 to the delight of the loud Superwhite Army.

Santos, George

George Santos was a Rock for Rovers!

So top of the League after one round of matches and next up was Tanmere v Liverpool, a game set to repeated at Prenton Park in a fortnight's time.

After taking the lead, Rovers couldn't make any further progress and eventually fell 2-1 as Liverpool recorded their second win out of two.

Everton then beat Wigan but due to the Toffee's hammering in the first game by Tranmere, that result meant that if Liverpool were to beat Everton in the next game, Tranmere would qualify for the final if they avoided defeat by a large margin against Wigan in the final game.

Everton took the lead against Liverpool but the Reds fought back to win comfortably ensuring that Rovers needed to avoid losing by three goals in the final match to meet Liverpool in the final.

Wigan took an early lead but Rovers equalised and held out for a 1-1 draw that saw them through to the final.

Eddie Bishop was the hero of the final as he grabbed two goals in a superb 4-2 win for Rovers that sees them through to the National Final in the NEC in Birmingham on Sunday 7th September, joining other Masters Winners Middlesbrough and Bristol City so far in the final.

All in all a great night of entertainment and well worth the trip.  Well done to Rovers and we now look forward to that final in September!!

www.total-tranmere.co.uk
 

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Re: Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut
Posted by: cyprusrover (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:07:59:10

I nearly missed the whole thing as BFBS who provide my television service in Cyprus cut Sky Sports and put Wimbledon on instead!!! I missed the thumping of Everton and the first Liverpool game, but normal Sky service was resumed in time to see Liverpool beat Everton. I love masters football, it's great to see the old boys still turn it on! I'd be happy if Ronnie signed them all up for the forthcoming season (well except Georges Santos - he gave away too many short balls at the back when I saw him). Let's hope they can take things further in the grand final!

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Re: Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut
Posted by: MikeyB (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:08:03:38

George Santos was our best player last night!

Mikey

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Sub1980/mikeyssigna7.jpg

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Re: Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut
Posted by: cyprusrover (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:08:16:49

Like I said I missed half the tournament. I liked Santos when he was at Tranmere, but when I saw him last night he gave too many short passes away. My comment about not signing them all and not him was meant in jest! From the point I saw onwards, John McGreal and John Achterberg were the outstanding players, in my opinion

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Re: Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut
Posted by: MikeyB (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:09:07:15

I know you didn't mean it literally lol.

Santos was our best player probably along with McGreal and Bishop.

Mikey

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Sub1980/mikeyssigna7.jpg

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Re: Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut
Posted by: Deadly Submarine (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:10:51:53

Eddie Bishop was an absolute hero - especially his two goals in the Final!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/Sub1980/Mogsy.jpg

The Wing Wizard - Hero!!!

Deadly Submarine

David Hasselhoff walks in to a bar. The barman asks, "What can I get you Mr. Hasslehoff?", "A pint please and just call me Hoff."
The barman replies, "No hassle!"

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Re: Tranmere win Mersey Masters on Debut
Posted by: liam_trfc_06 (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:06:29:11:36:13

Watched it on Tele with Gino (list) was good to watch Tranmere played some good football at times but Georges Santos was immense!

Deadly Submarine( Mike) MikeyB and Brilley were also caught on camera on skysports!

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