United took on Pelaw Grange Dogs FC in the final of the preseason tournament but came away for the 3rd year running being defeated by the same team and with it lost the chance to get our first ever piece of silverware.
Pelaw took the lead on 2 minutes when a through ball split the United defence and despite a strong suspision of offside the referee didn't blow and the striker made no mistake neatly tucking it past keeper Steve Barnes
Pelaw had the next couple of chances - first on 7 minutes a corner came out to the edge of the box but the shot went over and then on 19 minutes a free kick from 30 yards was put well over the bar
On 20 minutes United had their first effort on goal. Wayne Barnes doing well before shooting from distance but the shot lacked power and it was easy for the keeper to gather.
On 23 minutes another chance for Pelaw which came from a United corner. Andy Meikle swung it in and the keeper claimed it well before launching the ball upfield to the striker who controlled and shot but put it wide
United's best chance of the game came a minute later. Luke Tate played a nice one-two with Chris Brown before shooting which was deflected wide. This time United played a short corner when Andy Meikle passed to Stephen Keogh. Stephen swung the ball in and Luke controlled it 6 yards out but his shot was well blocked and the ball was cleared
On 27 minutes Pelaw had another free kick this time from 25 yards out. It went on target this time but was well saved by Steve Barnes
Pelaw had another shot a minute later but this time Steve Barnes saved with his feet
Half Time - Pelaw Grange Dogs FC 1-0 Wear United FC
Pelaw had the first chance of the second half within 20 seconds when Stephen Sheriff's pass was intercepted but the shot went just past the post and on 53 minutes Pelaw had another chance when a corner was swung to the back post and the shot was saved by Steve Barnes again
United were controlling a bit more of the game now but fell 2-0 behind on 53 minutes. A corner was met with a header from 5 yards out and it went into the goal
Graham Smith tried his luck on 56 minutes but his shot from the edge of the box was off target and went wide
On 67 minutes another United corner by Andy Meikle was met by a header from Stu Bowman but he couldn't get it on target and it went for a Pelaw goal kick
Pelaw nearly had a third on 70 minutes when Craig Averre was caught in possession and the ball was pulled inside but the shot rolled narrowly past the post
On 77 minutes another Steve Barnes save kept the scoreline at 2-0 when a nice through ball was met with a first time shot and then on 79 minutes a shot from the right hand side of the box sailed wide
Pelaw then had another few chances to extend the lead.On 83 minutes another ball cut inside was met with a shot but it went high and wide then a minute later a cross to the back post was met with a header into the ground and it bounced over the bar. On 85 minutes a neat turn in the box and shot whistled just past the post and United were still in the game but time was running out
On 87 minutes another Pelaw free kick was met with a good save from Steve Barnes tipping the ball over the bar but on 88 minutes Pelaw got their 3rd and decisive goal to put the game well beyond United when Craig Averre was caught in possession on the left, the ball was squared across goal and put into an empty net by the striker
Full Time - Pelaw Grange Dogs FC 3-0 Wear United FC
A slow first half by United but much improved after the break against Premier League opposition. Next up our final preseason friendly against Blue Mountain LD from the South Shields league.
