United took on Ouston Juniors in the Semi Final of the Pelaw Grange Dogs Annual Tournament hoping to reach the final for the first time at the 3rd attempt. United had the bare 11 including new signing Wayne Barnes and were up against a new side playing their first competitive game
Debutant Wayne Barnes had the first chance after 2 minutes but his volley went wide and 3 minutes later Ouston had their first chance when a throw in was met with a shot which hit the outside of the post
United took the lead on 11 minutes. Scott Stevenson took the throw in and Wayne Barnes got his first assist for the club flicking the ball to Graham Smith who lobbed the keeper perfectly and the ball dropped into the net. 1-0
On 12 minutes Michael Smith received the ball from an Andy Meikle throw in and he turned well and shot left footed but the keeper palmed it away and the ball back in was miskicked by Sam Wade
On 17 minutes Sam Wade played a long ball which Michael Smith flicked onto to Wayne Barnes on the right of the box but the shot went narrowly wide
United doubled their lead on 19 minutes when Scott Stevenson took a beautiful free kick which was headed home by Sam Wade/a defender but the dubious goal panel gave it to Sam for his 2nd goal in a United shirt. 2-0
Ouston tried to get a goal back a minute later but great defending by Graham Smith prevented them from scoring and United could have had a 3rd two minutes later but Sam Wade tried an audicious lob which just went over the bar
On 26 minutes it looked like Ouston would half the deficit when keeper Steve Barnes was beaten to the ball but it was cleared off the line by Andy Meikle and the two goal lead was still intact
Steve Barnes was back in the action on 29 minutes when he tipped a shot around the post and again two miinutes later Steve showed some quick thinking by playing a long goal kick which released Scott Stevenson 1 on 1 with the keeper but his shot went agonisingly wide
On 33 minutes United put together a fantastic flowing move which ended with a great ball by Scott Stevenson to Wayne Barnes at the back post but he put it wide despite his best efforts to get his first United goal
United got the 3rd goal which they fully deserved on 40 minutes when an absolute pearler of a pass from Stephen Keogh was headed over the keeper by Sam Wade for his second goal of the game. 3-0 to United
United hoped they could get to half time with a 3 goal cushion but it wasn't to be as on 41 minutes a ball into the United box bounced about before being volleyed home. 3-1
Half Time - Ouston Juniors FC 1-3 Wear United FC
United had the first chance of the second half when a turn and hit from Wayne Barnes clipped the top of the bar on 48 minutes
Ouston then headed just over on 50 minutes as they started to get into the game a bit more
Michael Smith then had a chance on 52 minutes when Wayne pulled the ball back but Michael's shot troubled the corner flag and not the keeper
On 54 minutes Ouston broke and put the ball under Steve Barnes but thankfully for United it went just wide
Wayne again had another chance with a shot low down to the keepers left but the keeper got down to it well and saved
On 62 minutes Ouston thought they had got to within 1 goal of United when a shot beat keeper Steve Barnes but Stu Bowman was behind him to make a crucial clearance off the line
A minute later and another chance for Wayne as he closed down the defender but his shot went straight at the keeper
Ouston did get their second goal on 68 minutes when Andy Meikle lost possession and the striker slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
Ouston were growing in confidence and United were getting tired due to having no subs and on 70 minutes they again got the ball past Steve Barnes but Stu Bowman was the hero again as he cleared off the line for a second time
On 79 minutes United had another chance and it was close for Sam Wade getting his hattrick. Sam beat 3 men and then played a one-two with Michael Smith but Sam's volley went just wide.
On 81 minutes Stu made it a hattrick of fantastic goal line clearances with the follow up being saved by Steve Barnes' feet and United got away with it again!
The last chance of the game came for Ouston in the final minute when a looping header hit the bar.
Full Time - Ouston Juniors FC 2-3 Wear United FC
A fantastic performance first half and a battling spirited second half ensured United reached the final of the competition where they will play Pelaw Grange Dogs who have beaten them in the Semi-Finals for the past 2 years so hopefully 3rd time lucky and United bring the trophy home!
