Wear United Under 14s played our first league game of the season at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion! We played these in a friendly a few weeks ago and knew we were in for a tough afternoon against a very good side.

RACA were in top in the opening moments of the game, winning everything in midfield and pushing for a goal.

After 13 minutes they opened the scoring with a low shot that just got past Thomas’ outstretched glove and nestled into the bottom corner. 1-0 to RACA.

RACA continued to win the midfield battles and made life heard for Wear to catch a break. Defensively they were solid, and despite Wear putting some lovely passing play together, they couldn’t quite find their shooting boots.

On the 26th minute, RACA had a throw in in their own half which Junior cleared toward the position box with a fierce volley which bounced over the top of the keeper and in the net for 1-1!

The wind was in Wear’s favour for the second half, and it certainly helped to change the direction of the game with Wear commanding most of the half.

RACA defended resiliently throughout the half and stopped all of Wear’s efforts. They broke forward time after time on the counter but the defence of captain Leif, Scott and Kai L were unbreakable in an outstanding defensive performance.

In the 62nd minute during goalmouth scramble, the ball dropped nicely to the feet of new signing Zak, who hit a superb rocket of an effort into the top right corner to give Wear the lead. 2-1.

The rest of the game was end to end with both teams having to defend, but RACA looked most likely to grab the draw.

However Junior picked up a ball on the edge of the box and belted a thunderous strike towards the goal, only for the RACA keeper to pull off a worldie save, pushing the ball onto the bar and out for a corner.

In the final seconds of the game, RACA found themselves breaking, one on one with Thomas in goal. Thomas rushed out bravely pulling off an outstanding committed reaction save, but the ball rolled towards the Wear goal. Leif, who put in a proper captain’s performance, ran back with everything he had left and cleared off the line, giving them a hard fought win! ?

Winning start for Wear United ?

Mo and Son’s Player of the Match went to two of the lads today…

Junior who marshalled the midfield and was central to everything Wear did. ?

Kai L who was covering at centre back today and didn’t put a single foot wrong. Excellent composed defending. ?

Next up is Shildon on Saturday at home.

Huge thank you our kit sponsors Harrison & Brown Furniture (new kits coming soon!)