Wolves’ golden oldies turned back the clock and produced a vintage performance to retain the Midland Masters title.

The Molineux veterans – who included Don Goodman, Mike Stowell and Stafford Rangers boss Phil Robinson among their ranks – thrashed Birmingham 4-1 at the National Indoor Arena in front of a noisy crowd.

Goals from Mark Atkins, Robinson, Mark Burke and Scott Taylor sealed the win and Wolves’ passage to the national finals in September.

Golden boot and player of the tournament Paul Devlin had equalised for Blues with an exquisite chip.

But the tournament win was far from straightforward for Wolves – who had to mount a strong comeback in their first game to beat Blues 3-2, and found themselves three down in the first half of the second game against Villa.

The Molineux masters lost that game but won a competitive Black Country derby against Albion with the last kick of the game to reach the final.

An early goal by Burke handed Wolves the advantage before Paul Raven equalised for Albion – only for Mick Gooding to net a last-minute winner, sweeping home after goalkeeper Tony Lange had made a fine save.

In the competitive spirit of derby games there was a double sending-off when Raven and Robinson clashed.

Pundit Goodman proved a big crowd favourite again – even if his finishing proved somewhat wayward. After striking in the first game he missed gilt-edged chances against Albion and Villa.

“We like to do things the hard way and that’s why we picked Don up front,” said goalkeeper Stowell.

“Seriously though, we’re all in it together and it was great to win. It’s still a high standard and there will be a few sore bodies. I think I’ll have to spend a month in an ice bath,” he said.

Goodman himself was philosophical about the misses. “I had to miss against Albion – I’m not allowed to score against them,” he explained.

“It is a very competitive tournament and this was probably the highest standards it’s ever been.

“You get old footballers out there and they want to win – it could be tiddlywinks and it would be just as hard-fought.”

Wolves won the tournament but Blues, Albion and Villa all played their parts in an entertaining afternoon at the NIA.

Villa – who handed Paul Merson his Masters debut – were heading for the final before being beaten by Blues in the final game of the group stage. But despite the disappointment of an early exit ‘Merse’ said he’d enjoyed the afternoon.

“I can’t believe how difficult it has been to play in. It was warm in the arena but it was very competitive – there are a few scores being settled out there,” he said.

“I could have played for a few teams and the PFA offered me a place in the Arsenal team but I opted for Villa because I was on holiday that week.

“That might have been a mistake because there has been absolutely no quarter given by any of the teams!”

The final will be at the MEN Arena in Manchester on September 9. Wolves have joined Leicester City and Newcastle in the line-up.