Talk about tension! As the squad began arriving for this one, it was the supporters that seemed to have all the nerves - as the lads were calm and prepared for business. We knew that a victory here would see us in a really strong position to clinch the title so there was a job to be done - and boy did the Legends do it!

The weather was awful but the lads - adorning their fabulous away strip sponsored by Robinson's Haulage - warmed up looking determined. The squad was announced and it saw Riley B between the sticks (obviously!) and a back three of Riley O, Bentley and Riley E - with the midfield quartet made up of Ashton, Antoni, Jacob and Connor. Noah was given the task of leading the line and with the game-changers for this one being Oliver, Trey, Elliot, Bobby and Daniel, we were good to go. The coaches urged their troops to do what they do - pass the ball well, work hard and put our chances away when they come. These kids have done so, so well this season - considering the unexpected promotion - so to be this close to the silverware is beyond belief. 'Go do it' came the cry from the coaches and as the players entered the arena, the bank of United fans gathered away to the right were singing in the rain...

The early stages showed that we knew the importance of this one - as some of our passes went astray and we seemed to struggle to settle - and the Moss Bank side were doing well trying to get in behind us. But our defence stood strong - as they have most of the campaign - and that gave us the platform to build upon. Our attacking lads then set about their business and it was no surprise when we took the lead on 14 minutes. Some excellent defending from Bentley saw him feed the ball into the feet of our midfield maestro Antoni. He in turn powered through the middle and slid the ball into Noah - who turned his man and made him dizzy - before playing into the path of the on-rushing Ashton and as he about to strike it, the Moss Bank defender could only take him down - and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The United fans looked on nervously - but they had nothing to worry about - as our Noah placed the ball confidently, took a short run-up and SLAM! - he sent their keeper the wrong way as he planted the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0 and we had something to look after now...

Half-time: Moss Bank Whites 0-1 BREIGHTMET UNITED LEGENDS

The lads came in for their well-deserved drinks and this was probably one of the most important half-time team-talks of the season for the coaches. Sure - we were in front - but we had to go back out there and play as though it was 0-0 and we still had to win it. Some of our passing in the final third had been sublime so now we needed to concentrate, keep finding the space and relax. The kids looked confident - which was a good sign - and as they trotted back out there, it looked like they were taking this in their stride...

And right from the restart they were back at it - zipping the ball about and looking like we had a spare man - and with the away fans roaring us on, we looked the more likely to score next. And we did. This time it was Jacob who started it - picking up a loose-ball from a well-timed sliding tackle from Trey and our No.8 rode the tackles from the Moss Bank players before spraying into Noah - who cleverly flicked it inside to split the home defence in two - and with only their No.1 to beat, he slotted it to his left and into the back of the net. What a goal! Our No.11 celebrated with one of the world's longest-ever knee slide - and was apparently spotted going past Lidl on Crompton Way a while later! 2-0 and we had the cushion that we were looking for...

We were enjoying this now and as the minutes ticked away, it was all the Legends now. Some of the movement off the ball was first-class and as it gave options at all times, we kept seeing a lot of the ball in the final third. One such move saw Bentley fire a great pass across to Riley E and he brought down from the air instantly before lying it forward into the path of Connor. As he does, he slipped past a couple of defenders with ease before picking out Noah with an inch-perfect pass. It looked like he'd run it just that bit too much but as their keeper came out to try and get it, he bundled our striker over - and once again, the man in the middle pointed straight to the spot. Noah picked himself up, dusted himself down - and fired the ball into the back of the net, leaving their keeper no chance of stopping it. That was that. 3-0 and it was job done! We'd secured the victory that we needed - so now it was onto Blackburn Eagles at home on Thursday - and the dream could soon become a reality...

There's no 'i' in team and tonight the Legends proved that they have what it takes to be part of a team. Togetherness, determination and backing each other until the very end. That is what produces 'winners' and that's definitely what we've got here with this squad! Our heroes bounced off the pitch jubilantly and as the travelling faithful celebrated with them, it was great to see. We're so close now...

There was no splitting them tonight so the Robinsons Haulage Ltd Player of the Match went to the whole squad as we did this together - and as we began to depart, all thoughts turned to Thursday night...

United TV managed to catch up with a really happy coaching team after the game and this is what they had to say:

Barlow:
I’ve coached the lads for around four years now and tonight made me the most proudest I’ve been this season. That’s exactly what I want from my team - giving absolutely everything they have for each other - and this was a superb win against a good side who went all-out to stop us trying our best to get some silverware. We’ve got a massive game Thursday where the lads need to do it all again. I’m so proud of the Legends, no matter what'

Neil:
That was a tough- ask tonight against a very tough Moss Bank team who didn’t want to give an inch. We stood up, we fought hard and we came away with the result. The lads deserved it tonight, walked away with all the points in a tense difficult environment. Superb!

Mike:
What a game! The boys worked as a team in somewhat challenging conditions, moving the ball well at times against a tough opposition. Some good shows of strength and determination at the back also using the wings well. Under pressure??? We didn’t show it!!
We go again on Thursday with the last game of the season'

Steve:
What a game! Moss Bank made us work hard for that - but we had to keep going and we didn't disappoint! In that weather as well...

U P T H E L E G E N D S

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