Legends were knocked out of the cup last week, the boys worked hard in training to put things right this week and we also had Billy in the match day squad making his debut. Our number 2 Trey, had the sad news of his Grandma Edith's passing away on Wednesday. The boys really wanted to win this one for Trey.

The coaches went with Riley B in the sticks, a back four of Trey, Jacob, Bentley and Riley E, a midfield three of captain Antoni, Elliot and debutant Billy with Lakari on the right wing and Zak occupying the left wing. Noah leading the front line. The subs or as we call them, game changers were Tyreese, Roman, Reece and Kayden.

The boys warmed up in freezing January conditions, as the ref pulled both teams to the centre circle to give a minutes silence, in respect to the passing of Edith, Trey's Grandma and his dad Mick's mum. This was excellently done by both sets of players. Following this, the ref blew to start the game.

As is often the case with grassroots grass pitches in January, heavy, uncut, leading to both set of players miss placing passes and unruly first touches of the ball. However, the first warning sign was on the Little Lever goal as Noah heading Elliot's corner just wide of the post.

Frustratingly for the home side, a real goal scramble happened in the Legends box, as Riley B produced a triple save, causing Bentley and Trey to block further shots on goal before thankfully Jacob toe poked the ball away, allowing the Legends to get out. Super stuff from Breightmet's number 1 and the defence!

The Legends were working hard as Billy got on to the ball, driving forward before releasing Zak down the left, who came inside his man but slightly over hit it as it went out for a goal kick.

From that goal kick, the Legends had their own scramble on the Little Lever goal, as the home side excellently blocked Billy's, Zak's and Elliots shots before it fell to Lakari, who could only cannon his effort off the post and out for another goal kick.

At the other end, the big number 4 for Little Lever, took control of a pass forward but his effort was wild and flew over Riley B's goals. The hosts were looking threatening and likely to break the deadlock first, however. A slick move from the tricky Little Lever saw him evade Riley E, as he pulled the ball back the number 11 could only send another effort wide of the Legends goal.

Half-time | Little Lever SCJ 0 Breightmet United Legends 0

As the lads were taking on fluids and some fresh air, Barlow asked them if they felt the first halves efforts were what they are capable of? The boys all said No, the gaffer agreed and said all the Legends need to do is up the efforts off the ball, win their duels, work as a team and move the ball quicker.

The lads did not mess around from the second half kick off, knocking it about, as Noah passed to Billy he was spreading the play, with Bentley then passing it to Trey, who took a touch and fed the ball over the top for Lakari to latch on to but his effort could only hit the side netting, that was more like it from the away side.

Then the side wearing the famous black and white stripes broke the deadlock, captain fantastic Antoni, passed to Lakari who was dangerous this half, used his unreal pace and skill to trick his way at the edge of the box before flicking it through for Noah, our number 9 excellently beating the offside trap, only needing to beat the on rushing keeper, well he did just that by side footing his effort in to the net! 0-1

The words at half time, really set into the boys as they were now running riot from back to front, Kayden this time powering passed two markers before passing superbly through to Lakari with a first time cross as Noah looked likely to get on to it but did not quite manage to get there which caused the defender to leave Zak to latch on to it and give the keeper no chance. 0-2

The Legends were being relentless, as the corner from Elliot was cleared, Roman picked it up and found Noah, who side stepped his man and flicked it to Zak, composed and confident, laces through the ball and grabbed his brace 0-3

Did the boys stop there? Nope, this was the goal of the game too. Following a corner from Elliot, the home side cleared, Trey on the over lap fed it again to the dangerous Lakari, who crossed it in, Billy cushioned it out to Antoni, 20 yards out, on a half volley, right in to the top corner - what a strike from the skipper. 0-4

The home side produced a bit of magic themselves, as they broke down out right before sending a diagonal, a rarity, Riley E left his man as the lad in red slotted passed Riley B 1-4

Then, the last bit of action, which was controversial from the man in the middle, as Antoni and the Little Lever collided in the box, looking like our captain just out muscled the opponent shoulder on shoulder, the ref blew to the spot! Perplexed, but knowing the ref would not change his mind, Riley B stood on his line, but the home sides effort left the away sides shot stopper rooted. 2-4

Full-time | Little Lever SCJ 2 Breightmet United Legends 4

Man of the Match: Trey Barlow - Todays MOTM, kindly sponsored by our home shirt sponsor Robinsons Haulage LTD and individually by S'Amazing was awarded to Trey. We're all proud of Trey, he showed immense character after losing his Grandma on Wednesday. He gave absolutely everything at right back, playing with heart, grit and passion. A performance played for someone very special. Rest Easy Edith x

LEGENDS TV caught up with Barlow after the game and his thoughts are: ''It was a great 3 points, we knew that first half wasn't good enough, the Legends were more than capable of upping their game and that second half proved it. We didn't allow them to blame the pitch, as both sets of players have to cope with it. That second half was fantastic, when we play we can more than match alot of good teams, no doubts about it. Very pleased with how Billy did on his debut, he's going to add to an already fantastic set of Legends. But today was all about Trey, losing his grandma and the way he played speaks volumes, proud of him and how the lads looked after him.''