Reading United score 2-1 victory over Jersey Express

Hard fought victory vaults United to the top spot in the Mid-Atlantic Division

GK Ben Beaury had a superb match for Reading, making 9 saves to preserve the win.

READING, PA (June 18, 2016) – It looked like it was going to be de ja vu all over again. Reading United held a 2-0 lead against a club from Northern New Jersey entering the dying stages of the match at Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium. The visitors would strike late, again, and cut Reading’s advantage as the hometown faithful grew anxious. This time however, Reading would flip the script.

United scored a crucial 2-1 victory over the visiting Jersey Express to reclaim first place in Premier Development League’s hotly contested Mid-Atlantic Division. Reading got goals from Jelani Pieters and Hugo Delhommelle as well as some clutch saves from goalkeeper Ben Beaury and his defense to earn the win.

Neither side threatened to open the scoring throughout a disjointed first half in which both teams struggled to find cohesion. Just as referee Dan Richman was about to whistle for halftime, United found the breakthrough.

Reading midfielder William Picoux played a pass out wide to Pieters, who put on a dazzling display of footwork to wriggle his way past three Jersey defenders. With the goal at his mercy, Pieters slid a low shot into the net to hand Reading a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

In the 50th minute, United would strike for a second. Referee Richman pointed to the spot following a foul on United forward Frantdzy Pierrot at the top of the penalty area. Delhommelle stepped up and sent Express goalkeeper Ryan Baird the wrong way to double Reading’s advantage.

Jersey would come roaring back following the goal. The visitors peppered the Reading defense with eleven shots in the second half. Their pressure finally paid dividends in the 83rd minute.

United defender Kaique Fernandes committed a foul twenty five yards from goal that set up a dangerous chance for Jersey. Veteran midfielder Juan Correa stepped up and laced a shot under Reading’s defensive wall and into the back of the net to cut the host’s lead to 2-1.

Jersey pressed hard for the equalizer as time wound off the game clock. Beaury, who recorded nine saves during the match, made three huge stops in the last five minutes of the match to preseve the win for United.

“We played some really strong defense tonight. We were locked in the whole time, very focused,” Beaury said following the match.

The victory helped Reading leapfrog the Baltimore Bohemians into first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division at the season’s midway point.

Following the match, Reading Head Coach Stephen Hogan shared his thoughts on the match, saying, “Jersey came out strong and experienced and we moved the ball well from side to side. We did get frustrated at times in the first half because we wanted to go quick, but we couldn’t do it, so the half time was a little bit harsh. The boys came out in the second half and showed what we’re capable of doing in winning games.”

Hogan took time to commend his goalkeeper, saying, “Benny was great for us tonight.”