This match day was like no other, as the Legends had the chance to play 11 a side on Gigg Lane, home of Bury Football Club. We go against a really good side in the Sharks who sit top of the league after two games.

We arrived on the car park of Gigg Lane, weather dry and the sun which topped off the occasion. As confirmed where to go, we all set off and entered the stadium, straight on to the pitch with the parents taking a nice seat in the stands.

We were taking it in, team pictures in front of the nets where many famous goals had been scored in this famous old stadium but then it was business time. The coaches gathered in the team to announce the starting line ups, in nets the cat Riley B, a back four of Riley O, Bentley, Jak and Riley E. A midfield four of Roman, Elliot, Captain Antoni and Zak with a front two of Connor and Noah. The bench had Daniel, Bobby, Trey, Ashton, Jacob and Oliver.

As we couldn’t really remember the 7 goals of the Sharks, the match report is slightly different this week.

Goals:

Ashton’s first – Jacob and Elliot combined to set Zak free down the left, the tricky winger got passed his marker but was held back and the ref gave a free kick about 35 yards out. Elliot stepped up and swung a delightful cross in that evaded everyone except the run of Ashton who only had the keeper to beat. One touch from our number 11 and he slammed home his effort. A great free kick from Elliot and an excellent take and finish from Ashton.

Ashton’s second – Jak started this one off with a real hard tackle before passing it out to Riley E, Riley fed it to Elliot who stroked it with the outside of his boot to Zak. Well, what a ball this was from Zak! He hit it first time over the top for Ashton again to latch on to it and with the keeper flying out of his goal, the ball bouncing, as Ashton got to it he just lifted it over the keeper and into the back of the net. It really was a great goal, moving the ball quick with great movement by Ashton.

Noah’s penalty – This one was really all about Roman! Jacob was causing a nuisance against three of their players before releasing Roman, the tricky little winger jinxed his was past four players with pure pace and just as it looked like he got past the fifth in the box, he was obviously brought down and the ref instantly pointed to the spot. Well Noah, is known as our penalty specialist as he just doesn’t miss them. He did not let us down, again! Our striker, placed the ball down, took three steps back, a big gulp of air and then slotted it in the side netting just clipping the post – keepers just cannot save them, it’s that simple!! Noah ‘Ivan Toney’ McManus they call him, Breightmets finest.

It really was a game of two halves and despite the result it was a great experience, we learnt a lot as a team and us coaches too. Jacob stepped up physically which is a great development for him, Roman learnt from the week before that we need to work hard off the ball and like Zak they both did that today. Riley B also made some great saves but this shout out is more from nearly saving the penalty against us, he got a hand to it and went the right way which is proving the hard work with Mike is working. Riley also changed the negative energy to positive in that second have so credit where it is due.

Special mention AGAIN to Jak! Jak was tremendous and put in another fantastic performance, he’s been a welcomed addition to the squad and added real pace to the backline. We had a split decision on the MOTM that ultimately went to the away manager to pick, unfortunately their manager went the way of another legend this week for the award. Jak being in contention for the MOTM for two weeks running speaks massive volumes of just how much he’s being playing great and consistently.

That said, this week’s MOTM kindly sponsored by Adele Warren and individually ARG Roofing was awarded to NOAH. Noah puts in a real shift every week and is nicknamed the pressure king for how much pressure he puts on the opposition; he really is relentless. He also scored another superb penalty. Well done, Noah, another quality effort.

A Special mention must also go to Bentley and Mike who have completed the task of reaching the summit of Mount Snowdon to raise vital funds for the team, which is over £600. Thank you, lads it really is appreciated.

LEGENDS TV caught up with Neil at the end and this is what he had to say; ‘’It was a great occasion and this is Gigg Lanes biggest crowd for a good while. The lads admittedly didn’t show up that first half and with a tweak in the formation and a real talk to at half time, we saw glimpses of what we are about against the top of the league. We will go again, no doubts about it.