U’s fight back to hold Boro

Ryman Division One South outfit United recovered from 2-0 down at half time to clinch a 2-2 draw in their latest pre-season friendly against a Borough side which plays its football two levels higher in Conference South.

Borough had the better of the first half and Jay Lovett had already rattled the crossbar with a 20-yard strike by the time Matt Aldred opened the scoring with a neat drive from the edge of the area.

The visitors then hit the post and Aldred forced an excellent save out of United goalkeeper Josh Pelling before Richard Pacquette doubled Borough’s advantage. Pacquette was also denied by Pelling before the break.

United brought on Ronnie Dolan for Jason Taylor at half time and pulled one back 10 minutes after the restart when a cross-shot from Frankie Sawyer found Dave Cook, who fired home from six yards.

After Sawyer was thwarted by a good save and then headed off target, United levelled midway through the half courtesy of Cook’s thumping far post header from Frazer Shaw’s cross. United almost won it late on when Jordan Woodley blazed over.

United: Pelling, Rose, Shaw, Bankole, King, Ray, Hassan, Cook, Adams, Sawyer, Taylor. Subs: T. Olorunda, Camara, Dolan, Temba, Bachellier, Woodley, Masters, Cruttwell. Attendance: 297.

United will continue their preparations for the new term with a trio of away friendlies against Sevenoaks Town on Saturday, Eastbourne Town next Tuesday and Ringmer on Thursday July 31.