Having done our homework based on an excellent scouting report by coach Wayne Scott, the decision of managers Daz Saunders and Andy Frawley to revert to a 3 man central midfield and pair usual centre half Martin Holt with Wayne Jones and Fabian Smith in a 3 man centre midfield was a masterstroke. Completely shutting down the middle of the park United got in front and clearly won the key contest in the middle of the pitch. Starting really well United pressed to go in front and Matt Nurse was called to make a fine save from Theo Smith. United went in front on 18 min from the spot as Barrow hotly disputed the award of the kick. Theo Smith was played in by Richard Harrison and bursting into the box the flanker went down under challenge, although it was unclear whether the defender caught the flanker before connecting with the ball or vice versa, either way the match officials and linesman were in no doubt it was a penalty. The lethal Martin Carruthers cooly converted the spot kick to score what proved the decising goal.United then battled hard to protect the advantage, but still had the more clear cut opportunities on the day with the hard working Aiden Brady firing wide when played through one on one. Moments before the break Brady again did well to round keeper Nurse but Martin Carruthers was crowded out as he looked likely to double the advantage. For the total 90 minutes the United rearguard as has been the norm in recent weeks looked rock solid and made it 7 clean sheets out of the last 10 EMCL games which is some acheivement. It was not until the last few minutes that United keeper Curtis MacDonald was called into action, saving well from a low effort with bodies in his line of vision. United comfortably played out time to record 3 great points and make the title chase a likely 4 team battle.

United reserves playing a rare home game kicked off early and delivered 3 points via a 4-1 victory over Vernon Villa. The excellent Damien Rennicks rolled back the years to claim a fine hat trick with Dom Clark notching the other as United remain at the top of the N.A.A division 1 and cap a fine day for the club.