United took on new boys Woodlands FC with both teams having a 100% record in the league so far and this game really had pretty much everything! United were missing a few regulars through injury/holidays but still had 14 to choose from including Michael Parkin who returned to the United squad for the first time since re-signing for the club a couple of weeks ago
Woodlands had the first chance of the game after a couple of minutes. A good passing move was played into the centre and squared to the left and with the United defence out of position the shot came in from the edge of the box but went wide
Steve Barnes took the goal kick and it was met with a Sam Wade flick on into Gary Simmons path and he cut in from the right and smashed a shot which cannoned back off the bottom of the bar and bounced out keeping the scores level at 0-0
United nearly took the lead on 3 minutes when a backpass from the Woodlands defender hit a bobble and megged his own keeper but the keeper managed to get back to clear off the line to save his own blushes!
On 6 minutes Michael Parkin showed great skill to create a chance for himself but his shot from the right was held by the keeper
Woodlands then started to come into the game a bit more and a fantastic diving save by Steve Barnes prevented them taking the lead on 8 minutes. A minute later a defensive mistake by United allowed another shot from the edge of the box but this time it went wide and then on 11 minutes Steve Barnes was called into action again saving with his feet after another shot from the edge of the box
Then it was United's turn to have a few attempts. On 12 minutes Gary Simmons passed to Scott Stevenson and he ran 20 yards with the ball before shooting wide. On 22 minutes United's sub Luke Tate freed Gary Simmons down the right and he crossed in front of goal but it just evaded Chris Brown and then on 29 minutes a Gary Simmons free kick from 25 yards was easily saved by the keeper
On 31 minutes Gary Simmons had another shot which was saved and it fell to Michael Parkin but his shot went a few yards wide of the post
Woodlands had a throw in on 37 minutes and United allowed it to bounce one and it landed at the strikers feet but he shot straight at Steve Barnes from 8 yards
On 41 minutes United had a corner and Michael Parkin showed a bit of originality by touching the ball and running away with United sub Paul Hogg collecting the ball from the corner quadrant and playing it to Michael Parkin at the edge of the box and his shot took a deflection off a defender and hit the bar and post before dropping onto the defenders hand on the line and despite the United appeals the referee didn't give a penalty and the ball was cleared
On 43 minutes skipper Steve Barnes was once again called into action and this was Barnesy at his best. A cross came in and was met with a powerful header from 4 yards out and Barnesy showed fantastic reflexes to get down and keep it out
2 more chances before half time - 1 for each team. Andrew Hodgson throwing his body on the line to block a shot on 44 minutes and just before half time Luke Tate crossed the ball to Gary Simmons but his shot was saved
Half Time - Wear United FC 0-0 Woodlands FC
The second half didn't have as many chances but was certainly full of controversy!
Woodlands had a free kick on 59 minutes, 25 yards from goal but the United wall stood firm and blocked the shot
On 61 minutes Luke Tate had a go from the edge of the box but his shot was deflected wide of a defenders head and then on 65 minutes Dan Musther was fouled on the edge of the box and he stepped up to take the kick but again it was into the wall
Woodlands had a great chance to take the lead on 73 minutes when a corner bobbled about in the box before being put over the bar from 5 yards out when it was probably easier to score
United finally took the lead on 75 minutes. Michael Parkin and Dan Musther combining in midfield before Parky split the Woodlands defence with an inch perfect pass which Gary Simmons latched onto and placed it under the keeper. 1-0 to United
Then on 81 minutes Woodlands were adamant they had equalised and they had good right to think it when a corner was put towards goal and Andrew Hodgson cleared it off the line. Hawkeye would have given the goal but the referee didn't and United got a bit of luck for once and the score remained 1-0 to United
The decision though (amongst others) had the Woodlands players incensed and this all boiled over on 82 minutes. 2 Woodlands players were both sent off for foul and abusive language towards the referee - I would love to include what they said in the report but there could be kids reading this!!
You would think that United would take advantage of this and put the game to bed but somehow this didn't happen. Steve Barnes made a great double save on 84 minutes which kept the lead intact but then on 85 minutes Woodlands had a fantastic shout for a penalty when Barnesy took down the striker when he had rounded him after a ball over the top but the referee decided it wasn't a foul (when everybody else thought it was including Barnesy!!)
United didn't learn from this and on 87 minutes another ball over the top and the striker (who looked offside) again rounded Barnesy and this time managed to put the ball into the net. 1-1
United pushed on to try to take advantage of having 2 men extra but couldn't carve out any clear cut chances and the final whistle went
Full Time - Wear United FC 1-1 Woodlands FC
