United took on 3rd Division Lakeside SSC in the 1st round of the league cup hoping to cause an upset and continue the good form from last week. The performance was superb but unfortunately United were dumped out of the cup at the first hurdle losing 3-1 despite dominating most of the game
Lakeside had the first chance of the game shooting well over form outside of the box and United then had a chance after 5 minutes when Dan Musther went on a mazy run before playing it into Chris Brown who attempted a lob over the onrushing keeper but it wasn't on target and Chris didn't get a proper connection on it.
United then came close to taking the lead a minute later when Gary Simmons turned brilliantly in the box and shot at goal. It took a slight deflection of the defender and looped over the keeper but agonisingly for United it came back off the bar
United had the ball in the back of the net on 8 minutes after Dan Musther swung in a free kick and Scott Stevenson met it at the back post and finished well but the referee ruled it out for offside which the United players (especially Scott!) weren't happy about
United had the next chance of the game on 13 minutes, Gary Simmons playing it across to Dan Musther but it was sligthly behind Dan however he still got his shot in but it didn't have the power to trouble the keeper.
On 20 minutes Lakeside forced a save from United keeper Steve Barnes - a nice turn inside defender Andrew Hodgson opened up the space for a shot but it was met by Barnesy who tipped it wide
A minute later and Steve Barnes was again called upon when a ball over the top was flicked on and Barnesy rushed out to save the shot and was back on his feet quickly to save the rebound
On 26 minutes United sub Luke Tate had a shot blocked after cutting on to his right foot after a pass from Craig Averre and a minute later Lakeside had another shot from distance whoch again went over
On 33 minutes the Lakeside keeper made a save from Luke Tate after Stephen Keogh had found Luke with a pass and United were firmly in control
However on 43 minutes Lakeside took the lead against the run of play with a dubious goal. A through ball was met with a lob over keeper Steve Barnes by the striker and was heading to goal when it was put in by another player from 3 yards but he looked clearly offside. The referee wasn't interested in the appeals and the goal stood. 0-1
And it got worse for United right on half time when a long ball was played to the edge of the box and it was powered past Steve Barnes giving him no chance. A good finish but not deserved. 0-2
Half Time - Wear United FC 0-2 Lakeside SSC FC
United weren't disheartened and had the first chance of the second half when a long kick by Steve Barnes was misjudged by the defender and he headed into Scott Stevenson's path but his first time shot went wide
On 54 minutes United could have pulled a goal back when a Dan Musther corner was met with an unchallenged header by Gary Simmons in the box but he put it wide after not getting a full connection on it
Then Lakeside had the chance to extend the lead on a couple of occasions. A run into the box was finished by a tame shot which Barnesy gathered no problem then on 59 another shot was saved by Barnesy and luckily for United came back off the bar and Barnesy gathered it
The next few chances were all from free kicks. Lakeside had a freekick from 25 yards which went wide and then on 63 minutes Dan Musther had a go which the keeper spilt for a United corner but this time the corner was cleared. Lakside then had another chance after Chris Brown gave a foul away on the edge of the box but the free kick hit the United wall and went wide for a corner
United were still searching for a way back into the game and another Dan Musther corner again was met with a Gary Simmons free header but this time it went over however a minute later United did get the goal they had worked so hard for. Steve Barnes again with a massive kick which released Gary Simmons. He let the ball bounce a few times and it looked like the chance had gone but Bobby Lad managed to get a foot to it to flick it past the keeper from inside the box. 1-2
United were bouyant and in the ascendency and on 76 minutes Gary Simmons hit a free kick from 30 yards and it narrowly whistled past the post.
Lakeside though capitalised on a defensive error with the ball bobbling about in the box and Steve Barnes making a save but it fell to the striker 2 yards out and he put it in the net. 1-3
There was no more major chances after the goal with United a bit dejected after working so hard and despite the result the performance certainly gives hope for a good season ahead
Full Time - Wear United FC 1-3 Lakeside SSC FC
