FOLLOWING on from last week's success at being named the IFA team of the year, Watford Internet Football Club, the team of fans who represent Watford FC throughout the year, came within a whisker of winning the annual Worldnet tournament held in Leeds last weekend.

WIFC took two teams to the 64-team tournament, which features fans of clubs from across the footballing spectrum, from this country and abroad.

Both sides made Sunday's main draw, with the A team winning their group on Saturday after wins against Southampton and Stockport B, while the B team finished second in their group after wins against Scottish non-leaguers Vale of Leven and Port Vale.

In Sunday's first round draw, the B team succumbed 0-3 to Heart of Midlothian, while the A team dispatched the fans team of the newly formed AFC Halifax 4-0.

They then surpassed the club's best ever run in the tournament, beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the last 16, then National cup holders Bury were sent packing by the same scoreline in the quarter finals.

In the last four, WIFC faced former Worldnet winners Bradford. A tight game was decided by an extra time golden goal from Rob Sterry to set up a final with Preston.

Having beaten the Lancashire club during the regular season, a tough game was expected but confidence was high. Preston had other ideas.

Within 55 seconds, WIFC were behind as two tired tackles let their striker in to fire home. In the second half, WIFC upped the pressure and won a penalty.

However, the Preston keeper was equal to the challenges and saved Paul Watt's spot kick. Had it gone in, the resultant adrenaline rush may well have spurred the tired Internet Horns team to nick a winner but it wasn't to be as Preston held on.

WIFC spokesman Dave Messenger was full of praise for the two teams. He said: "As the disappointment starts to fade, a sense of pride replaces it.

"What a superb performance from WIFC. Saturday belonged to the B team, making the main draw for the second year in a row is some achievement for the aging B team players, while Sunday most definitely belonged to the A's, and the perfect Worldnet fleetingly came into view.

"The hope is that the whiff of success stays in the club's nostrils until next July and we return to go one better next year. Most importantly, we have flown the flag for Watford and once again shown that our club's supporters are amongst the most highly respected in the footballing world"

The players who represented Watford were Chris Dundon, Rob Sterry, Scott Mathers, Richard Wenham, Richard Murphy, Joel Moody, Leigh Harrington, Chris Westcott, Lozza Wells, Dave Soloway, Paul Whittenbury, Paul Watt, Jamie Parkins, Jerker Kjellander, Mat Ball, Neil Hall, Martin Owen, Simon Neill, Simon Devon, Steve Eustice, Aidy Spender, Mark Brennan, Lee Evans, Tim Down, Marc Duffy, James Hannaford, Jon Neill, Matt Ainsley, Dave Messenger, Matt Wells, Peter Fincham, John Akers, Phil McBride, Steve Temple and Mark Collins.

For more information on WIFC, please visit our wesbite at www.watfordifc.com