United run past F.A. Euro, 4-1
Queens, NY. (June 27, 2017) – Needing all three points to keep pace with the division leading New York Red Bulls U23, Reading United found parity amongst their roster in a 4-1 victory over FA Euro on Tuesday night. Reading’s sixth straight victory vaults them into second place and level in points with Ocean City Nor’easters, who visit Berks County on Thursday evening.
Paul Marie, who was recently named the #11 prospect in the PDL, got the scoring started in the 31st minute, taking an Aaron Molloy pass at the top of the penalty spot, and slotting it home for a 1-0 advantage., The goal was Marie’s first of the season and 13th of his United career.
Aaron Molloy doubled United’s lead only six minutes later, taking a deflection in the box and flicking it past a stunned FA Euro keeper. Molloy’s cheeky goal was his sixth of the season, and his fourth in three games.
FA Euro would pull one back in first half stoppage time, as Zhurabek Khusanov found space in the box, and twisted his effort around Reading’s Alex Bouillennec to cut Reading’s lead in half entering the break. They’d continue their wave of strong play into the second half, but this time Bouillennec was up to the challenge, making a diving stop to pick a header off the goal line in the 54th minute.
Weathering the best FA Euro had to offer on the evening, United would put the game out of reach in the 63rd minute. Khori Bennett, playing his first minutes since the season opener, deposited a rebound from a blocked shot past a helpless keeper for the 3-1 advantage.
Gilbert Waso would tally the exclamation point in second half stoppage time, pouncing on a parried save attempt and blasting it home for the 4-1 final.
Reading dominated large portions of the game, outshooting FA Euro 19-5 on the evening. Despite the victory and keeping pace with the top of the table, United’s coaching staff was expecting more from the young club as potential playoff scenarios play out over the final weeks of the season.
“We were good at stages, but we need to be more consistent in finishing. We moved the ball quickly and side to side, but need to improve in the final third,” said Assistant Coach Alan McCann.
United return home on June 29th at 7:30pm at Wilson’s Gurski Stadium. Reading will face Ocean City Nor’easters in a replayed game from last Friday, where only 45 minutes could be played before the game was suspended. Tickets are available at 9h9.f8e.myftpupload.com/ or on game day at the Don Thomas Stadium ticket office.
READING UNITED LINE-UP
GK Alex Bouillennec; DEF – Mo Conde (Gilbert Waso 45’), Nathan Brown, Lamine Conte (Neico Regent 72’), Rob Campbell; MID – Aaron Molloy, Jakov Basic (Khori Bennett 45’), Jorge Guinovart; FWD -Paul Marie (Jelani Pieters 72’), Ivan Abramovic (Kevin Carvalho 65’), Evan Finnegan
Unused Subs: Ben Lundt, Spencer Burkhardt
Scoring Summary
REA 31’ Paul Marie (Aaron Molloy)
REA 37’ Aaron Molloy
FAE 45’+ Zhurabek Khusanov (Charlie Ledula)
REA 63’ Khori Bennett
REA 90’+ Gilbert Waso
