Everton's ex-pros lose out in Mersey Masters

A host of former Everton players lost out in the Mersey Masters at Liverpool's ECHO Arena on Saturday, as neighbours Liverpool won the annual 6-a-side tournament.

The indoor event was contested by ex-pros from Everton, Liverpool, Tranmere Rovers, Blackpool, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers. In masters football each side has a squad of eight, with six from that squad on the pitch at any one time. There are no offsides and one player must be in the opponent's half at all times.

Everton's squad consisted of; Ray Newland (GK), Neil Pointon, Tony Grant, Paul Lodge, Neil Moore, Graham Stuart, Peter Beagrie and Daniel Amokachi. We were drawn alongside Liverpool and Blackpool in Group A, leaving Bolton, Tranmere and Wigan to battle it out in Group B.

We kicked off the tournament against Blackpool and quickly went 1-0 up after Peter Beagrie set up Graham Stuart, whose smart finish evaded the Blackpool 'keeper to put us 1-0 up. After the break another Stuart effort was well saved and we were soon made to pay for sitting back on our slender lead. Blackpool's Chris Beech equalised with a headed effort with a minute to go, and poor defending allowed Andy Preece to win it for the Tangerines with just 20 seconds left on the clock. Typical Everton!

In the second game Wigan beat reigning champions 3-1, and then attention was turned to the biggest group match of the day - Everton v Liverpool.

We conceded three goals before half time and deservedly so. The fourth and fifth goals followed and we were dumped out after just two games. We were unfit, lethargic and lacking in quality. Graham Stuart scored a brilliant consolation goal from the edge of the area to salvage a drop of pride but it proved far too little and far too late. Ah well, at least it's not proper football.

Liverpool went on to win the regional title after beating group B victors Bolton 5-1 in the final and will go on to represent Merseyside in the grand final.