Reading United battle West Chester United to a 1-1 draw
An entertaining match sees local rivals share the spoils
READING, PA (July 2, 2022) – In a match with major playoff implications in USL League Two’s Mid-Atlantic Division, Reading United and West Chester United split the points as they played to a 1-1 draw at Alvernia University Stadium. Reading’s Ike Hollinger opened the scoring for the hosts in the 23rd minute only to see Spencer Burkhardt cancel out Reading’s lead seconds later. The close rivals played a thrilling second half though neither side could find the go-ahead goal.
As the sides were settling into the match, a lightning delay brought on by a heavy thunderstorm interrupted the game in the 10th minute. Following the lightning delay, Reading went on the attack and found their goal in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Talla Faye spotted a smart run by forward Ike Hollinger. Hollinger took Faye’s pass and walloped it past West Chester goalkeeper Cameron Sanders, handing the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.
That lead would last for mere seconds as former Reading United midfielder Spencer Burkhardt whacked a shot past Reading’s Russell Shealy to even the score at 1-1 in the 24th minute.
The clubs could not be separated despite playing a wildly entertaining and physical second half. Each side’s goalkeeper was called upon in the game’s closing moments to keep the contest level. West Chester United’s Cameron Sanders stopped four shots in the second half, including a pair of fingertip saves very late in the match to keep Reading from taking the lead. Russell Shealy made eight saves while denying West Chester a game-winning goal deep in stoppage time with a Save of the Week type stop on a point blank range shot.
The draw had massive ramifications for both sides as the regular season heads towards its climax. Reading’s playoff chances were dealt a serious blow while West Chester’s aspirations for winning back-to-back Mid-Atlantic Division titles were snuffed out.
Reading United’s next match will be at the friendly confines of Alvernia University Stadium when they host Real Central New Jersey on Saturday, July 9th. Reading will then wrap up their regular season schedule the following week when they play host to Lehigh Valley United on Saturday, July 16th. Game day tickets are available for purchase at readingunitedac.com.
