United played their penultimate game of 2020 with another threadbare side as only 12 players were available. A couple of enforced changes seen Luke Tate start in midfield with Sam Wade moving to left forward to replace Tommy Butler and Liam Robson also started at right forward to replace the injured Dan Armstrong. The rest of the team was the same as last week’s match

Washington New Tavern were the opposition and they have been very good this season so United knew it would be a tough test but United started the best and had a lot of possession without really creating any chances

The first real action of the game brought a goal, and it was for New Tavern on 15 minutes. Some neat interplay in the United box seen the ball cut back and smashed home. 0-1 to New Tavern

United though got an instant reply when James Slack passed to Kieran Peverley and he weighted a perfect through ball for Chris Sproat to latch onto and beat the keeper at the near post. 1-1

United were forced into a change on Liam Robson as he suffered a knee injury in a heavy 50/50 challenge. Dan Godfrey came on to replace him on 21 minutes

Kieran Peverley then got a card from the referee. It wasn’t a Christmas card though as the ref showed a Yellow card for a silly foul

New Tavern had a free kick which was headed wide just after the half hour and then they took the lead again on 39 minutes. United had a corner which fell to Kieran Peverley with his back to goal 4 yards out. He turned and shot which the keeper blocked, and New Tavern countered quickly and had a 3 on 2 situation which they converted into a goal. 1-2 to New Tavern

It got worse for United just before half time. A cross from the left went all the way to the back post and into the net. An attacker was blatantly offside and made a movement towards the ball but didn’t get there and despite the protests the goal was given. 1-3 to New Tavern

Half Time – Wear United FC 1-3 Washington New Tavern FC

United made a mistake on the left-hand side on 53 minutes which allowed New Tavern to get into the box and play a ball across goal which was tapped in at the back post and then on 58 minutes an identical goal with a low cross from the right again being put in made it 1-5 to New Tavern

United got a lifeline on 67 minutes when they were awarded a free kick. Richie Morton swung it into the box and Sam Wade headed it across goal for Chris Sproat to get his second from close range. 2-5

Gavin Foley was then shown a yellow card on 70 minutes for a kick out at the winger who was just too fast for Gavin to stop and on 76 minutes New Tavern bagged another with a close-range effort. The ball was lost by United and pulled back from the by-line and hit low beating Stu Bowman at the near post. 2-6 to New Tavern

A simple goal for New Tavern on 82 minutes. A corner was met with a header 2-7

United though weren’t giving up and Sam Wade played it left for Luke Tate. Luke curled a lobbed effort which looked like it had gone wide and over but it lobbed the keeper perfectly and nestled in the back of the net. 3-7

With 4 minutes remaining Chris Sproat could have had a hattrick when Kieran Peverley found him, but Chris’ shot was saved by the keeper.

Full Time – Wear United FC 3-7 Washington New Tavern