Masters Football 2008 Grand Final

Last updated : 08 September 2008 By Matthew Jones
The successful Mersey Masters Tranmere side
In another thoroughly enjoyable evening, Tranmere Rovers legends of the past came together to perform once more in the Screwfix Masters 2008, this time around in the Grand Final at the NEC in Birmingham, having won the regional Mersey Masters at the Echo Arena.

This was Tranmere's debut season in the competition, and after good results against Liverpool and Everton in the group stage of the competition, Rovers weren't about to change the team that had been successful in Liverpool back in June, and so the following nine legends appeared for Tranmere:

1. John Achterberg
2. Ian Nolan
3. Ged Brannan
4. Eddie Bishop
5. John McGreal
6. Stuart Barlow
7. Steve Mungall
8. Kenny Irons
9. Georges Santos

The other teams in the competition were Middlesbrough, Leicester City, Manchester City, West Ham United, Glasgow Rangers, Bristol City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst ex-Tranmere players in opposition sides included Mickey Mellon (Bristol City), Eric Nixon (Manchester City), David Kelly and Andy Thompson (Wolves).

Heavy traffic on the M6 meant that Tranmere's game, which was due to be the third match on, was put back to the fourth game, as several Tranmere players hadn't made it through the traffic in time to play! This of course stood for many fans who were late arriving due to the motorway congestion.

David Kelly starred for Wolves
The first game on saw Middlesbrough narrowly beat favourites Leicester City before the second match saw Wolves easily beat Bristol City, with David Kelly getting on the scoresheet for Wolves, who easily had the most fans in the arena, although they weren't the loudest.

West Ham were then knocked out by Manchester City, with Eric Nixon starring in goal for City before Tranmere came on to take Scottish side Glasgow Rangers.

This was sure to be a close affair and so it proved. Each side looked comfortable when in possession, but there were two strong defences on display, and as a result, goals were hard to come by.

Tranmere passed the ball around well but couldn't open up the Rangers defence, and eventually Rangers opened the scoring, putting themselves in the driving seat to claim the win and a place in the semi-final.

With all their possession though, Tranmere always looked like they could strike back, and so they did, with John McGreal netting a second half equaliser for Tranmere, making it 1-1.

Rovers could have got a second, with Barlow in particular guilty of missing a chance, and with neither side managing to score a winner, the game went to sudden death penalties.

Penalty shoot-out hero Achterberg
Rangers kicked first, and John Achterberg made a terrific save before Ged Brannan missed for Rovers, meaning it was 0-0 after one kick each. Both sides then scored, with Irons netting for Tranmere, before Achto made another splendid save down to his left. It was up to Stuart Barlow to score for Rovers to send them through, and the former Everton F.A. Cup winner duly obliged, stepping up and sending the 'keeper the wrong way to win Tranmere the game.

This win booked Tranmere a semi-final game against Manchester City, but first on was the other semi final, which saw home favourites Wolves take on Middlesbrough.

With the backing of much of the crowd, Wolves pulled off an close victory to book their place in the final, with David Kelly against starring upfront for the Midlands side.

Rovers then came up against City and once again, the Tranmere fans were in full voice, creating a terrific atmosphere inside the NEC Arena, as they chanted all the chants of times gone by for their favourite players.

The players were clearly enjoying having their name sung once more too, with each chant towards them greated by a wave and a huge smile.

The game started well for Tranmere, as Kenny Irons gave Rovers the lead with a terrific goal, hitting a measured shot from distance right into the bottom corner, leaving Eric Nixon with no chane in the City goal.

However, City struck back before Tranmere again took the lead, this time Eddie Bishop on the scoresheet as he scrambled the ball home from close range.

Once again, Tranmere looked the better, and fitter, side. They were comfortably passing the ball around the pitch, with Kenny Irons and George Santos in particular instrumental all over the pitch.

But, despite all their passing and possession, Tranmere couldn't get a third and City hit back to make it 2-2 before in the final minute of the match, after John Achterberg had made a terrific initial save, City got an undeserved winner.

Wolves went on to hammer City in the final to claim the trophy, a trophy that not many would argue against them winning, as they were the best team on the night.

It was though a terrific evening for all in the NEC Arena and the Tranmere players did the club, their family and friends and the Tranmere fans proud. It will be great to see the boys back together next year, hopefully once more winning the Merseyside tournament, and then going one step further in the Nationals.