Masters Final Report
Written by Matt Goodwin on Tuesday 8th September 2009

Barnsley bowed out of the ScrewFix Masters Grand Final after a sprightly Bolton outfit put eight goals past the Reds in what was a record-breaking result at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

A Barnsley side made up of several Oakwell legends, including captain Neil Thompson, Neil Redfearn, Kevin Miller and Dean Gorre, took the lead against Wanderers early on but eventually succumbed to eight goals in an eleven-goal thriller.

The Reds opened the scoring in style through Dean Gorre after great trickery from the Dutchman giving himself space to fire home a neat left-footed strike.

A deflected Scott Green effort was the immediate reply from Bolton, and was the start of eight goals to be put past a helpless Kevin Miller.

Three more quick-fire goals from Richard Sneekes, Michael Johansen and Simon Charlton gave Wanderers plenty of breathing space before a brilliant right-footed effort into the top-corner from Neil Thompson closed the gap.

The Reds controlled the closing stages of the first half with the ever-tricky Gorre striking the bar after Viveash's pass. But it was Bolton who broke well making it 5-2 at the break as Scott Green bagged his second of the match.

From the restart it was Bolton who started strongly, with Steve Thompson finding the net with the outside of his right boot.

Bolton struck the bar before Sneekes and Johansen both had easy finishes after two great counter-attacks.

The Reds did restore some pride after a great move between Gorre and Dobbin allowed Deiniol Graham to finish well, but it wasn't enough for Barnsley who couldn't cope with a much younger Bolton side.

Barnsley's captain for the evening, Neil Thompson, gave his thoughts on his side's performance in Liverpool: "They just had a few too many legs for us really," admitted Thompson. "The worst thing we did was score first because they got angry! Their movement was excellent."

A well organised Bolton outfit ran by an impressive Richard Sneekes managed to breeze through the Tykes' backline.

"When they got through their regional stages, I always thought they were going to push to win it," Thompson said.

"We got three goals but, defensively, we were found wanting."

Thompson's side had to cope without fellow Barnsley legend, Nicky Eaden, who pulled out due to club commitments, leaving the Reds with only one defender.

"You've got to have a good balance to the team, and we didn't have enough defenders, but that's the nature of the game. Nicky Eaden would have played today but for playing for Kettering. Matty Appleby was asked to play but he was working - there were three or four we asked where it didn't happen but we did well to get here," Thompson added. "We did well in the regional and we enjoyed this experience.

"It's good to get out on the pitch and have a knock around."

Thompson was playing alongside former team-mate and current work-colleague, Neil Redfearn, and 'Tommo' was more than happy to be alongside another Reds legend: "I've worked with Redders for a few years. I was at Boston as manager and Redders was my assistant, we're at Leeds now as he's my U18 manager. He's a good friend and a great coach - one of the best I've worked with, that's for sure."

Although the final stage of the tournament was short-lived for Thompson's side, it was a rare occasion for him personally, seeing his right-footed effort find the top-corner: "It's a collector's item that one, you'll be able to collect the dust from it!"

Tranmere were the eventual winners of the tournament, overcoming Bolton 4-3 in the final.

Barnsley Squad: Kevin Miller, Paul Cross, Adi Viveash, Neil Thompson (captain), Jim Dobbin, Neil Redfearn, Dean Gorre, Wayne Biggins, Deiniol Graham.

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