United’s second preseason friendly seen them take on The Moors Tavern FC in Spennymoor. 20 players were available with United starting in a 4-4-2 formation and lined up as follows

Bowman, Foley, Downing, Higgins, Foster, Hume, Walters, Jobling, Slack, Butler & Armstrong

Michael Walters had the first chance of the game after 3 minutes but could only manage to drag his shot wide of the goal

United were forced into an early change on 6 minutes with Thomas Jobling injuring his knee and needing to be replaced. Ross McLagan came on in his place

The Moors Tavern had their first attempt at goal on 8 minutes with the shot going wide of the far post and a minute later Tommy Butler had his first effort at goal for United which was saved by the keeper

The Moors Tavern took the lead on 13 minutes and to be fair it was an amazing goal. An audacious lob from 45 yards sailed over Stu Bowman’s head and after one bounce nestled in the roof of the net. 1-0 to The Moors Tavern

United though were on top and had more efforts on goal over the next 10 minutes. Firstly, Tommy Butler attempted and effort from the edge of the box on 16 minutes which was saved by the keeper. Then on 19 minutes Dan Armstrong had a pop at goal which the keeper also saved. Tommy Butler then had another attempt within 30 seconds of Dan’s and this time he came even closer with his shot scraping the head of a defender and bouncing off the crossbar

On 20 minutes Tommy Butler had another effort from just outside the box which was deflected for a corner by a defender.

United levelled on 27 minutes and Tommy Butler’s persistence paid off. Michael Walters played the ball inside from the left to Tommy and this time the effort from outside the area found the bottom corner perfectly. 1-1

Tommy Butler then showed real quality on the half hour with an unreal finish from distance. A fantastic long-range effort dipped perfectly over the keeper and nestled in the back of the net. 2-1 to United

On 33 minutes the Moors Tavern were awarded a free kick on the right. It was swung in and met with a header which went over the bar, but the whistle had already gone for offside

A minute later and The Moors Tavern had a corner which was met with a good header which wasn’t on target and went over the bar

Callum Hume had a good chance for United on 36 minutes but couldn’t connect properly with the ball and the keeper made a save and right on half time The Moors Tavern had a shot which was met with a great diving save from Stu Bowman in the United goal

Just before the whistle went United got themselves a penalty after a great run from Josh Downing seen him brought down in the box. Tommy Butler stepped up to complete his hattrick and scored to the keepers left despite the keeper getting a touch on the ball. 3-1 to United

Half Time – The Moors Tavern FC 1-3 Wear United FC

United made 8 changes at the break and changed to a 3-5-2 formation. The team lined up as follows – Bowman, Coulson, Higgins, Henderson, Robson, Barnes, McLagan, Peverley, Morton, Sproat & Taylor

The first chance of the second half brought the next goal of the game and it extended United’s lead. Richie Morton played in Steve Barnes and he lobbed it over two defenders before smashing the ball into the back of the net at the second attempt. 4-1 to United

On 54 minutes The Moors tavern hit an effort wide of the goal and 2 minutes later Chris Sproat headed a Richie Morton corner over the bar

United were given a free kick just outside of the area on 58 minutes and Micky Taylor lined up the shot. It was well hit but the keeper was equal to it and saved well

It was The Moors Tavern’s turn to have a free kick in a promising area on the hour mark and it was also struck at goal. Thankfully, it was straight at Stu Bowman

The Moors Tavern were having a good spell and had another couple of chances. A long-range effort on 61 minutes went narrowly over the bar and they had another free kick on 64 minutes. Stu Bowman made the save but the ball fell nicely to another Moors player who should have scored bur Stu Bowman made a great second save to prevent the goal

The Moors Tavern then had two glorious chances to get back into the game with two penalties. The first on 65 minutes followed a foul by Liam Coulson. The number 9 stepped up and the penalty was met with a great save by Stu Bowman. Then on 67 minutes another penalty was awarded for a handball which the referee could not have seen however he pointed to the spot. Stu Bowman played mind games with the number 4 and it ended with the spot kick being blasted high over the crossbar

On 71 minutes United had another good chance when a ball into the box was met with a superb diving header by Chris Sproat but somehow the keeper managed to keep it out of the net

A great reflex save by Stu Bowman prevented The Moors Tavern getting back in the game on 74 minutes from close range and United’s final change of the game came on 77 minutes with Ciaran Foster returning to the action to replace Luke Higgins

The final 12 minutes of the game brought another 4 goals with the first coming on 78 minutes. Liam Coulson found Micky Taylor and Micky went on a great run past a few players before slotting it nicely into the bottom corner of the net. 5-1 to United

A minute after though and The Moors Tavern got a second goal with a shot from inside of the box that gave Stu Bowman no chance. 5-2 to United

On 85 minutes Micky Taylor got his second after a great through ball by Ross McLagan found Micky and he cheekily dinked it over the keeper. 6-2 to United

With two minutes left and with the last chance of the game Micky Taylor completed his hattrick following a great assist from Richie Morton. Micky finished brilliantly to score his first ever hattrick for the club. 7-2 to United

Full Time – The Moors Tavern FC 2-7 Wear United FC