Rampant Rovers Retain Mersey Masters Title
By Deadly Submarine
June 29 2009
It was business as usual for Tranmere Rovers in the Mersey Masters Tournament last night at the Echo Arena as the team of past Players triumphed for the second year in succession to win their place in the National Final in September thanks to a dominant series of performances.
June 29 2009
It was business as usual for Tranmere Rovers in the Mersey Masters Tournament last night at the Echo Arena as the team of past Players triumphed for the second year in succession to win their place in the National Final in September thanks to a dominant series of performances.
After last years' debut success for Rovers in their first Masters Tournament, virtually the same team triumphed again this time around but in much more dominant fashion as they remained unbeaten in all four matches to book their place in the National Final on Sunday 6th September alongside Middlesbrough, QPR and Wolves who have already made the Liverpool based final.
Just one change was made to the Rovers Squad from last year with current Reserve Team Manager Shaun Garnett taking the place of Steve Mungall with the full squad looking like this...
John Achterberg, Shaun Garnett, John McGreal, Georges Santos, Ian Nolan, Kenny Irons, Ged Brannan, Stuart Barlow (Captain)
The opening game of this years' tournament saw reigning Champions Tranmere take on Everton and run out easy 5-1 winners thanks to an own goal and goals from Barlow, Nolan, Bishop, McGreal gave the defending Champions a nice start to the evening.
Liverpool then beat Wigan 2-1 in the second game with Rovers Assistant Manager Jason McAteer scoring a superb goal for the Reds in the process before Wigan remained on the pitch for the third game to take on Everton in a game that ended 2-2.
After Liverpool's performance in their opening game against Wigan, Rovers' second game against the Reds looked like it may be a tricky one but any fears of the Rovers fans were soon eased as they brushed McAteer and his team aside with a 3-0 win thanks to Brannan , Irons and Santos which sealed Rovers place in the Mersey Masters Final for the second year in a row.
After that game it was Tranmere's turn to remain on the pitch to take on Wigan who had former Rover Pat McGibbon in their side and after Rovers went 1-0 down after a laid back first half performance, another goal from Georges Santos and then from John McGreal sealed a 2-1 win and a maximum haul of nine points and an excellent goal difference of plus eight.
Rovers Fans then had to wait on the outcome of the sixth and Final League game to learn who their teams opponents would be in the Final as Liverpool took on Everton in the ‘Masters Merseyside Derby'.
Rovers' 2008 Masters Winning Side Repeated the Feat This Year
A win or draw for Liverpool would see them through to the Final whilst Everton required a win against their bitter rivals to secure a re-match with Tranmere. In the end it was Everton who prevailed in a 2-1 win and Rovers would be facing the team they had beaten 5-1 in the League matches.
Perhaps unexpectedly, Everton took a very early lead through Craig Short but Bishop, Irons and Santos sealed the 3-1 win and ensured that Rovers will return to the Echo Arena for the final on Sunday 6th September.
The after-match celebrations saw the Arena empty of all but Rovers fans as Eddie Bishop and the rest sprayed Champagne and Stuart Barlow was awarded with the Player of the Tournament Award.
Once again it was a thoroughly enjoyable night for Rovers Fans, if not better than last year due to the dominant nature of Rovers performances this time around. Hopefully the Final will be equally as enjoyable in September and Total Tranmere would like to congratulate the Rovers Masters for their success once again!!!
Tranmere Results:
League: Tranmere 5 - 1 Everton
Rovers Scorers: OG, Barlow, Nolan, Bishop, McGreal
League: Tranmere 3 - 0 Liverpool
Rovers Scorers: Brannan, Irons, Santos
League: Tranmere 2 - 1 Wigan
Rovers Scorers: Santos, McGreal
Final League Table:
Team Pld W GD Pts
Tranmere 3 3 +8 9
Everton 3 1 -3 4
Liverpool 3 1 -3 3
Wigan 3 0 -2 1
Final: Tranmere 3 - 1 Everton
Rovers Scorers: Bishop, Irons, Santos
Awards:
Player of the Tournament - Stuart Barlow
Top Scorer (For Rovers) - Georges Santos (3 Goals) - Tied Overall with Andy Lyons (Wigan)
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponRelated Articles:
Rampant Rovers Retain Mersey Masters Title
Posted by: Total Tranmere (IP Logged)
Date: 28/06/2009 23:20
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: MichaelTRFC (IP Logged)
Date: 27/06/2009 22:35
just got home from the Masters, a thoroughly enjoyable and funny night.
Once again Tranmere prevailed winning all of their round robin games.
First we played Everton and we won 3-0 (probably wrong, poor memory)
Then, we played Liverpool and won 4-1 ( correct me if I am wrong)
Finally with our place pretty much guaranteed we came from a goal behind to beat Wigan 2-1.
In the final we played Everton.
It looked like we weren't going to do it as we unfortunately went 1-0 down.
But then we equalised and it looked as if it was going to pens.
However Kenny Irons had other ideas (obviously wanted to get to the pub) making it 2-1 squeezing it in at the near post.
From the on Tranmere dominated, scoring another two goals in quick succession to retain the Merseyside Masters Title.
A great night with Tranmere fans in good voice.
Hope too see even more Tranmere fans at the Grand Final which again will be at the Echo Arena!!
Once again Tranmere prevailed winning all of their round robin games.
First we played Everton and we won 3-0 (probably wrong, poor memory)
Then, we played Liverpool and won 4-1 ( correct me if I am wrong)
Finally with our place pretty much guaranteed we came from a goal behind to beat Wigan 2-1.
In the final we played Everton.
It looked like we weren't going to do it as we unfortunately went 1-0 down.
But then we equalised and it looked as if it was going to pens.
However Kenny Irons had other ideas (obviously wanted to get to the pub) making it 2-1 squeezing it in at the near post.
From the on Tranmere dominated, scoring another two goals in quick succession to retain the Merseyside Masters Title.
A great night with Tranmere fans in good voice.
Hope too see even more Tranmere fans at the Grand Final which again will be at the Echo Arena!!
Re: Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: MichaelTRFC (IP Logged)
Date: 27/06/2009 22:42
Don't trust my memory lol.
[www.tranmererovers.co.uk]
Our first match saw us smash Everton 5-1, with the goals coming from Barlow, Ian Nolan, John McGreal, Eddie Bishop and a Tony Grant own goal.
Liverpool were easily beaten 3-0 the goals coming from Ged Brannan, Kenny Irons and Georges Santos, a result that meant Tranmere had secured a place in the final with a game remaining.
[www.tranmererovers.co.uk]
Our first match saw us smash Everton 5-1, with the goals coming from Barlow, Ian Nolan, John McGreal, Eddie Bishop and a Tony Grant own goal.
Liverpool were easily beaten 3-0 the goals coming from Ged Brannan, Kenny Irons and Georges Santos, a result that meant Tranmere had secured a place in the final with a game remaining.
Re: Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: Mikey (IP Logged)
Date: 27/06/2009 23:10
A really enjoyable night, except when McAqueer spat on Barlow, which was just stupid...!
Bring on the final.
Bring on the final.
Re: Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: MichaelTRFC (IP Logged)
Date: 27/06/2009 23:53
he spat...
I saw the awful headbutt but he spat
I saw the awful headbutt but he spat
Re: Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: Deadly Submarine (IP Logged)
Date: 28/06/2009 00:46
Unlike last year I thought it was never in doubt this time around even at 1-0 down in he Final.
I tipped Everton to win before hand but happen.
Didn't see the spit I have to say!
Deadly Submarine
Tranmere Rovers - Screwfix Masters Champions 2009!!
I tipped Everton to win before hand but happen.
Didn't see the spit I have to say!
Deadly Submarine
Tranmere Rovers - Screwfix Masters Champions 2009!!
Re: Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: stemc (IP Logged)
Date: 28/06/2009 20:40
where the mighty rovers never in doubt
a fink am enjoying watching the final more than next season
a fink am enjoying watching the final more than next season
Re: Tranmere Win Masters!
Posted by: Matthew the rover (IP Logged)
Date: 29/06/2009 10:01
Brilliant evening out and the old boys strutted their stuff brilliantly once again. Bring on the final
More Tranmere Rovers headlines
- Poll Results - Which Wembley Player You'd Most Like Back
- Weekly Review
- Bristol Rovers 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers Match Snippets
- Parry Post-Bristol Game: "It Was a Bit Like the Alamo"
- Vote for the TRFC Man of the Match Vs Bristol Rovers (A)
- Bristol Rovers 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers Match Stats
- Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Match Discussion
- Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
- Les Parry: "We'll Go to Bristol Positively"
Tranmere Rovers latest threads
- Site Changes and Alterations
- Poll Results - Which Wembley Player You'd Most Like Back
- Weekly Review
- Bristol Rovers 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers Match Snippets
- Parry Post-Bristol Game: "It Was a Bit Like the Alamo"
- Vote for the TRFC Man of the Match Vs Bristol Rovers (A)
- Bristol Rovers 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers Match Stats
- Left Back
- Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Match Discussion
- Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview