Just an update - I made master tonight
Just to give an update, I was able to make master's tonight and the highest trophy i got was 2604. I am now at 2574 after losing a raid at 49% :(. I did ended up gemming for the 1 and 2 day shields the last two days in order to get to master. I don't think it would be probable without the shields. I reached 2454 and loss 43 trophies to a revenge raid overnight, it took a days of raiding to gain around 80 trophies.
I did wanted to give up several time, especially when I loss one raid and fell for 30 trophies or when it took over 200k to find a suitable base. I was looking for farm bases but you cannot count on those alone, they are few and far between after 2200 trophies. What I looked for was based with empty infernos, empty xbow or base with upgrading air defenses. Most of my victories were 1 starred 50% victories and I also had a few 2 starred victories.
Once again, just checking in to say that it is possible still but very difficult. Also I saw a few of your forum elite players in my searches, they all had great bases that I would never attack :).