MASTERS LEAGUE FOOTBALL

The 2004 Masters was a great occasion with Boro becoming Northern Masters Champions and qualifying for the finals at Sheffield Arena on September 5th.

Report - Northern Masters - Group 4: Boro Masters - Newcastle Masters - Sunderland Masters - Blackburn Masters

BORO MASTERS DESTROY SUNDERLAND MASTERS TO BOOK GRAND FINAL SPOT



The fourth heat of Masters Cup 2004 qualification and what a weekend! Over 6,000 people crammed into the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle to witness some of the greatest legends do battle on the blue baize for their chance of Masters Cup glory.

Boro Masters, ever the bridesmaid in past Masters event, fielded a strong side which saw Gary Parkinson team up with Mark Proctor and Paul Kerr to sure up the defence. Masters debutant Dean Windass joined John Hendrie and Simon Coleman to control the midfield and with Peter Duffield and Bernie Slaven up front, it was the balance of the Boro Masters squad that made the difference.



Up against Sunderland in the first game, Boro raced to a 2-0 lead, with Slaven and Hendrie finding the net, eventually running out 2-1 winners despite letting Gary Owers in to score his first. Unperturbed about facing current Northern Masters holders and local team Newcastle in the second game, Boro re-organised to deal with the pace of Beardsley and it paid off, as first Hendrie and then Kerr scored before Slaven bagged two to see off the pre-tournament favourites 4-1.

In their final game against Blackburn, Boro consolidated, knowing their place in the final was assured- although going down 1-2, Dean Windass found his form and got on the score sheet for the first time in the night.

The final against Sunderland was pure theatre. Already having the psychological edge over their rivals, Boro went on wave after wave of attack, springing their defence numerous times to go in front. Slaven netted three and Hendrie and Windass, for his second of the night, finished them off to run out winners 5-0.

Could it be Boro's name on the Masters Cup this year? Find out this September.