Tranmere triumph at Mersey Masters

Jun 30 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

Rovers show a Masters touch for victory

TRANMERE ROVERS overcame their higher profile rivals to claim victory in the Mersey Masters at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

Rovers defeated Liverpool 4-2 in the final of the six-a-side tournament for players aged 35 and above and will now represent the region in the Screwfix Masters Cup Grand Final in London on September 7. Stuart Barlow, who had earlier grabbed a hat-trick against another of his former clubs Everton, fired Tranmere ahead in the first minute of the final but Liverpool hit back with goals from Phil Babb and Paul Walsh.

However, the tide turned again as John McGreal and Eddie Bishop netted to put the Wirral side in front again by the interval and Bishop struck again to seal their win in the second half.

Tranmere and Liverpool were joined in the tournament by Everton and Wigan Athletic, with the four clubs contesting a round-robin mini league which the Anfield outfit finished top of having won their three group matches.

Results from the group stage: Liverpool 4 Wigan 3; Everton 1 Tranmere 5; Liverpool 2 Tranmere 1; Wigan 3 Everton 4; Liverpool 5 Everton 2; Tranmere 1 Wigan 1.