United took on top of the table East Rainton at Downhill hoping the performances from the previous weeks could bring a result but despite leading at half time and keeping East Rainton to long shots and set pieces, the second half seen United score 2 own goals and then East Rainton added a third to win the game
East Rainton had the first few chances, On 7 minutes some nice play at the edge of the box ended with a shot which went wide and then a minute later another shot from the edge of the ball sailed high over the bar. On 11 minutes keeper Steve Barnes tipped a shot over from the left hand side and then on 12 minutes a shot was headed over his own bar by Stephen Sheriff and the resultant corner was headed wide.
Another East Rainton corner on 14 minutes was driven in with power but again met with a header which went past the post.
United's first chance fell to left back Stu Bowman when a United free kick was cleared to the edge of the box and Stu met it with a shot which went well over the bar
A long shot from 30 yards from East Rainton on 23 minutes went high and wide and a minute later East Rainton had another corner and yet again it was headed wide.
On 26 minutes the first clear cut chance for United fell to Dan Musther after a Michael Parkin cross was missed by the defender and landed at Dan's feet but his shot was saved for a corner which was headed wide by Stu Bowman
The breakthrough came on 30 minutes and United who had played some nice football deserved the goal. Stephen Keogh split the defence with a perfect pass which Michael Parkin ran onto and lobbed it over the onrushing keeper with the ball taking one bounce before nestling into the roof of the net. 1-0 to United
East Rainton had another chance on 36 minutes when a ball was played back to the edge of the box and the shot was hit with a lot of power but went wide.
East Rainton had 3 more chances before half time. A shot from 18 yards was well held by Steve Barnes, then on 43 minutes a lovely one-two was finished with a shot on the slide which went wide and right on half time a player beat 2 United defenders at the edge of the box but the shot from 16 yards went high and wide
Half Time - Wear United FC 1-0 East Rainton FC
East Rainton finally got the equaliser on 50 minutes. A cross from the right was met with a diving header from United defender Stephen Sheriff and unfortunately for United it snook in at the back post. 1-1
East Rainton were on top now and had another chance from a corner on 52 minutes, this time it was met with a header from 3 yards which went over the bar.
On 55 minutes keeper Steve Barnes tipped the ball onto the bar following a shot which was flicked on towards goal and then a chance for United on 59 minutes fell to Scott Stevenson whose shot under a challenge forced a good save from the keeper
East Rainton took the lead on 72 minutes when unbelievably Stephen Sheriff managed to get his second own goal of the game. A free kick was swung in and hit Stephen Sheriff and looped into the goal past a despairing Steve Barnes
On 80 minutes a shot from 25 yards was straight at Steve Barnes and he was called into action again on 84 minutes making a brilliant double save
East Rainton finished the game with a third goal and this time they did actually score it! A ball into the box bobbled about before being poked home in the corner from 15 yards through a sea of bodies
Full Time - Wear United FC 1-3 East Rainton FC
Another top performance by everyone and despite the scoreline there are many positives to take from this game.
