United took on 2nd Division Welcome Tavern in the Billy Pemberton Memorial Cup 2nd round and suffered a 2-0 defeat to send United out of their final cup competition of the season
Tavern nearly took the lead in the first minute when a defensive error ended with a shot from the edge of the box which Steve Barnes tipped wide.
After 5 minutes United thought they had took the lead. Michael Parkin finding Chris Brown with a perfect pass and Chris made no mistake slotting it past the keeper and into the net but it was chalked off for offside
Tavern then had a free kick on 8 minutes from 35 yards which was hit straight into Steve Barnes' arms and then they had a couple more chances on 10 minutes when a strike from the edge of the box was well saved by Steve Barnes and then from the ball out Tavern picked it up easily and had another shot which was well held by Steve
Scott Stevenson cut in from the left after 12 minutes and hit a shot which went narrowly wide and on 17 minutes Michael Parkin passed to Gary Simmons but his shot also went wide
Scott Stevenson went on another good run after 24 minutes and hit a shot which the keeper saved with a mixture of hands and face and the ball fell to Gary Simmons 6 yards out but he mishit the shot and it went agonisingly wide
Tavern took the lead against the run of play on 29 minutes when a ball over the top was squared across the box and put into the net at the back post. 1-0 to Welcome Tavern
United had the next couple of chances - firstly Stephen Sheriff shot across goal from the left hand side of the box which went wide and then on 36 minutes Michael Parkin swung in a free kick which just evaded Sam Wade at the back post
Tavern finished the half with a couple more chances. On 39 minutes a corner was headed goalwards but Steve Barnes was equal to it and tipped it onto the post and then with 3 minutes left in the half a free kick from 30 yards went over the bar
Half Time - Welcome Tavern FC 1-0 Wear United FC
On 51 minutes Craig Averre swung in a delicious free kick right onto Sam Wade's head but it went a few inches over the bar and then on 59 minutes Craig Averre attempted a toe poke shot which was blocked and it came out to Scott Stevenson who hit the follow up over the bar
On 66 minutes Chris Brown went on a mazy run and it ended with a shot which was saved and then United had another chance on 71 minutes when a Steve Barnes kick out found Gary Simmons but his shot from a very tight angle was saved
Tavern had the next chance on 72 minutes with a shot from distance which Steve Barnes tipped wide and then Sam Wade had a shot from 25 yards on 75 minutes but he hit it straight down the keepers throat and he saved easily
Another great save by Steve Barnes on 76 minutes after a shot from the edge of the box and United defended well to clear the follow up
On 78 minutes a lovely move from Tavern finished with a neat one-two and shot which was met with a brilliant save by Steve Barnes
United were pushing to try and get an equaliser which allowed Tavern to have a few more chances before the end of the game. On 83 minutes a long range effort went wide and a minute later a free kick was played to the striker at the edge of the box who controlled on his chest, quickly turned and shot but it went over the bar
Tavern put the game to bed on 87 minutes when a ball across the goal from the left was controlled at the back post and put into the net. 2-0
The final chance of the game fell to Welcome Tavern with a minute left when a ball was sprayed out to the left to a man in a lot of space but the shot across goal went side
Full Time - The Welcome Tavern FC 2-0 Wear United FC
It has come to light though that the Welcome Tavern played a suspended player and this matter is now in the hands of the league committee - it could mean that United are reinstated in the cup but we will have to wait and see what the decision is
