United's first preseason game took place against Bowburn FC from the Durham 4th Division
Making their debuts were Stephen Keogh & Sam Wade with Matty Colborn & Luke Tate returning to the squad for the new season.
United started well and had the first chance of the game on 3 minutes when Graham Smith crossed and Scott Stevenson met it with a header but it was straight at the keeper.
Bowburn went up the other end and had a chance to equalise but the United defence stood firm and after the ball bobbled about a bit it was blocked and put out for a Bowburn corner which came to nothing.
On 6 minutes Bowburn had another chance but the shot was brilliantly tipped over by keeper Steve Barnes
United got a corner on 15 minutes and it wasn't cleared properly but the attack ended after Stephen Sheriff's attempted overhead kick went well over the bar
United took the lead on 20 minutes when Scott Stevenson threw the ball into the box. Chris Brown couldn't get to it but it fell to Gary Simmons who made no mistake from 10 yards out powering it home and showing what United had missed for most of last season with Bobby lads injuries preventing him from playing many games
Bowburn had a chance on 24 minutes but their corner was headed over but it was 1-1 on 28 minutes. Stu Bowman fouling the Bowburn winger in the box and the penalty sent keeper Steve Barnes the wrong way.
On 34 minutes United had a chance to retake the lead. Steve Barnes made a good save and kept a hold of the ball. His kick out landed at Gary Simmons feet but his attempted lob over the onrushing keeper was saved well
Another long kick by Steve Barnes on 39 minutes this time landed at Chris Brown's feet and he did lob the keeper to cross to Scott Stevenson who had the goal gaping but put his header wide.
Half Time - Wear United FC 1-1 Bowburn FC
Manager Michael Smith made a few changes at half time. Kyle Hepple went into goal with Steve Barnes going up top to replace Gary Simmons. Matty Colborn came on to replace Stephen Sheriff at centre back, Sam Wade replaced Graham Smith in midfield & Luke Tate replaced Chris Brown with Luke going to the left wing and Scott Stevenson going up top.
Within a minute of the restart Bowburn went 2-1 up after a mistake from Kyle Hepple. He tried to kick the ball out to Stu Bowman but it landed at the strikers feet and he put it into the empty net.
Bowburn nearly extened their lead on 52 minutes when a ball into the middle was put wide from 5 yards out and a minute later United had a chance to equalise when Scott Stevenson crossed and Luke Tate headed at goal but it was straight into the keepers hands
Bowburn had two more chances on 54 & 56 minutes. Firstly a free kick was met with a header but luckily for United it bounced back off the post and then a long shot was well saved by Kyle Hepple
On 58 minutes though Bowburn managed to get the 2 goal cushion when a cross come shot from the right wing looped over Kyle's head and dropped into the bottom corner of the net.
Last season this would have seen a United demise but a fantastic 3 minute spell seen United score 3 goals.
Firstly on 66 minutes a defensive pass across the box landed at Sam Wade's feet and his first time shot from the edge of the box nestled in the goal
It was 3-3 on 68 minutes when Sam played the ball to Luke who headed it across the box. It looked like the defence were going to clear it but the onrushing slim figure of Steve Barnes met the ball with a lovely jumping half volley which nearly burst the net.
United took the lead on 69 minutes when Sam again was involved this time releasing Scott Stevenson who calmly placed the ball in off the near post. (Looked like a tradmark Scotty toe-poke but he claims otherwise!!)
United made a couple more subs with Chris Brown coming back on upfront to replace Scott Stevenson and gaffer Michael Smith replacing Dan Musther with Luke reverting to right wing and Michael playing left wing
Within 5 minutes of the change Chris Brown got on the scoresheet. A throw in was flicked into his path by Sam Wade and Chris made no mistake with a beautiful finish that gave the keeper no chance.
United extended the lead to 6-3 on 80 minutes when Michael Smith swung in a corner and Steve Barnes met it with a header at the near post.
Full Time - Wear United FC 6-3 Bowburn FC
A good runout and a good result in our first preseason game and hopefully more to come!
