....in a match that will be critical to any ambitions that United may have. On the face of it, it’s simply 3 points gained and as important as that may be there is still a hidden significance in the fact that United have completed the double over the former champions and these games are now firmly behind the blues.

The significance is that for the last few seasons, excepting last season, United have had to travel to Scours Lane on a Monday evening for a 6pm kick off and that causes obvious difficulties, add to this the vast amount of resources Highmoor can call on for such games then yesterday’s hard earned result feels almost like a 4 pointer!

The game itself was a scruffy affair, although both sides sporadically produced some good football. . Manager Letts fielded a bold 4-2-4 justified by the fact that just a few short weeks ago, United smashed 8 goals past their hosts. I’m not sure if it quite worked although in fairness had United’s finishing had been sharper I probably wouldn’t have made this remark.

My view is simply that tactical changes are all very well but they need to be practised on the training pitch to be properly effective. A luxury not realised at this level. ‘Play the way you know and the way you can’ is a good principle I believe. That said spurned chances belied opportunities created, had those chances been taken I would be telling a different story I’m sure, such are the narrow margins in football.

The game itself was played at a frenetic pace, although a little fraught at times, and for United became a nervy affair as despite dominating large periods of the game Highmoor were never out of it and there was a surge of relief when Liam Bushay fired home a late decisive goal to provide the cushion United yearned for. This was perhaps a more significant win than is fully appreciated.

The Premiership saw Hurst continue their miserable, winless run losing 0-3 at home to next week’s opponents Berks County while Mortimer scored 4 at Rotherfield to the hosts and Wraysbury recorded a good 3-1 home win over United's recent conquerors Unity. Newbury Town continued their fine run of form with a thumping 4-2 win at Taplow as they slipped comfortably into third spot 6 points behind United but with one game in hand.

United will play Hellenic League Chalvey Sports in the Berks & Bucks FA Cup round of 16 at Gossmore Lane on 3 December following Chalvey’s 3-0 win over Sandhurst Town who play in a division higher than the Slough based outfit. The TVPL have three other representatives in Reading YMCA, Winnersh Rangers and Westwood United.

Next week United entertain Berks County at Gossmore Lane who are probably enjoying their best season to date finding themselves in 5th spot in the table and will undoubtedly provide a challenge to United’s aspirations.