Ex-QPR Man Wins Masters for Tranmere

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- Congratulations to Ex-QPR striker, Ian Muir, who got the winner for Tranmere!

Tranmere Official Site - Rovers Claim Masters Trophy
- Tranmere lifted the 2009 Screwfix Masters Trophy on Sunday night after defeating Bolton Wanderers in the Grand Final at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
- Ian Muir underlined his status as Tranmere legend with the winning goal in the final after Rovers had earlier been awarded a penalty following television replay evidence.

The eight regional winners gathered on Merseyside to play off for the trophy. Rovers earned their place in the Semi-Finals with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Celtic. After a goalless first half, Stuart Barlow put Tranmere ahead with a fine left foot finish across the goalkeeper but Andy Walker quickly levelled for the Scottish champions. However, Muir's lob over Stuart Kerr with less than a minute remaining gave Rovers the win.

The win over reigning champions Wolves in the next round was just as tough. Ian Nolan put Tranmere ahead and Barlow added a second soon after. However, Wolves' Scott Taylor pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time and after a tense second half Tranmere prevailed 2-1.

Bolton's set up the match with Tranmere with large wins over Barnsley and Middlesbrough, and took an early two goal lead in the final. Kenny Irons headed in to make the score 2-1 but Bolton netted again on the stroke of half time to restore their advantage.

Eddie Bishop fired in from a tight angle to put Tranmere a goal down before Ged Brannan's shot struck David Lee on the arm inside the area. The defender held his face and play continued allowing Bolton to score a fourth, but the effort was quickly ruled out after the referee watched a video replay at the side of the pitch. A penalty was awarded and Irons found the top right corner to level.

Bolton pressed for a winner but a quick long ball found Muir in space and the striker coolly slotted into the net to secure the win for Tranmere.

After the final Kenny Irons commented: "The lads dug in well and we never thought we were out of it."

The full Tranmere squad was: John Achterberg, Ian Nolan, Shaun Garnett, Eddie Bishop, John McGreal, Ged Brannan, Kenny Irons, Ian Muir and Stuart Barlow, while George Santos played for Rovers in the Mersey Masters. Tranmere

[About Ian Muir who started at QPR]

Middlesbrough Official Site - Boro Bow Out In Semis

BORO's former stars, winners of the Northern Masters, reached the semi-final of the Grand Masters in Liverpool tonight.

Craig Hignett got Boro off to a flyer with two goals in 90 seconds in the first half of their opening game, a 5-2 win over QPR.

Rangers pulled it back to 2-2 before Graham Kavanagh - who played 88 minutes for Carlisle in League One yesterday afternoon - edged Boro back in front and John Hendrie rounded off a good win with two of his own.

That set up a semi-final against Bolton who came from behind to beat Barnsley 8-2 in a game which brought a goals record of the most goals scored in a Masters game.

A David Lee put Bolton in the lead early on, but Hignett equalised from the penalty spot after Peter Duffield was wiped out inside the box by goalkeeper Simon Farnworth.

In an explosive start to the second half Hignett poached another before Simon Charlton smashed in an equaliser inside a minute and Lee grabbed his second to restore Bolton's lead just over a minute and half later.

Three and half minutes later Charlton grabbed his second as Bolton grabbed their fourth, a fifth scored by Michael Johansson followed 90 seconds later to seal a 5-2 win.

Tranmere beat Bolton 4-3 in a final where video evidence was used to disallow a goal which would have put Bolton 4-2 up only for play to be pulled back and award Tranmere a penalty which they scored to make it 3-3.

*Boro's squad was Kelham O'Hanlon, Colin Cooper, Simon Coleman, Dean Windass, Peter Duffield, Graham Kavanagh, Chris Freestone, Craig Hignett and John Hendrie. Middlesbrough

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