United took on Premier League South Hylton Potters in our 3rd preseason friendly and the quality of the Potters team shone through. The scoreline flatters the Potters a little bit however they did control most of the game and made and took their chances whereas United made some great chances but missed them and were denied by the woodwork twice
Potters had the first chance on 2 minutes when a corner was played low to the edge of the box and it was shot over the bar
Craig Averre, playing against his former side, then had his first shot ever for United but it was from distance with his left foot and it went wide
Potters took the lead on 8 minutes after some great play on the edge of the box resulted in a shot which Kyle Hepple saved for a corner. The corner was played to the back post and put across the goalmouth, Kyle managed to get a touch to it but it landed on the strikers head 4 yards out and he made no mistake
On 15 minutes Potters could have extended their lead when the ball was pulled back from the byeline and the shot went wide but 4 minutes later they did go 2-0 up. Two passes created the chance and it was hammered into the roof of the net from 12 yards out.
United nearly scored an own goal on 30 minutes. Kyle had saved a shot onto the post and out for a corner which was swung in. Graham Smith forgot which way he was shooting and his volley was flying in until Andy Meikle made the goalline clearance to spare Graham's blushes
United then got into the game a bit more and started playing some really nice football. Gary Simmons played a beautiful through ball to Luke Tate on 32 minutes and he slid it past the keeper but a covering defender was in the right place to clear the ball then Stephen Sheriff had a shot from distance which went wide
Two minutes later a long range effort from Scott Stevenson was going to nestle into the bottom corner but the keeper got down well and tipped it around the post.
On 36 minutes United had another chance when Dan Musther played it to Gary Simmons and he crossed perfectly for Luke Tate but his sliding shot went over the bar from 8 yards out
United were made to rue those missed chances when Potters broke and Callum Atkinson gave away a free kick just outside of the box. The free kick was cleverly placed around the wall and into the bottom corner giving Kyle no chance
On 40 minutes Scott Stevenson played the ball into Gary Simmons feet and he quickly released the ball towards goal but the keeper showed good reflexes to tip it over the bar
There was still time for Potters to go 4-0 up and they did so with 2 minutes left of the first half. A free kick on the half way line got to the edge of the box and it was put into the bottom corner of the net.
Half Time - Wear United FC 0-4 South Hylton Potters FC
Potters went 5 up on 54 minutes when a long ball into the box was met by the winger and he scored with a lovely first time hit
It could have been 6-0 on 56 minutes when some great skill by the right winger took 2 United players out of the game but his shot was saved by Kyle's feet at the near post
Potters had a couple of long range efforts on 57 & 63 minutes with the first going over and the second going wide and then United made a chance
United then made their only substitution of the game whe Gaffer Michael Smith replaced Gary Simmons up top.
This is where the match report ends in terms of timings and things in order but Potters added 3 more goals with a couple coming from distance.
Sub Michael Smith had a chance when he lobbed the keeper only to see his shot come back off the bar and then Craig Averre couldn't be upstaged by the boss so he copied and his shot also came back off the bar.
2 more things of note - firstly Scott Stevenson missing an absolute sitter when receiving the ball from Michael Smith.
And saving the best until last - A first goal of preseason from centre back Stephen Sheriff. A cross from Dan Musther into the box was met by a lovely controlled fierce volley from Shez from 15 yards out which nestled into the corner to give United a consolation goal
Full Time - Wear United FC 1-8 South Hylton Potters FC
No disgrace from the lads today - some good football on display but we were up against a very well organised team who will do well this season in the premier league
Next up is the Tournament in Walker starting with a game against Ouston Juniors
