Reading United Hammer Lehigh Valley United, 4-1
United stay unbeaten as four second half tallies see off LVU
READING, PA (June 1, 2022) – Powered by a four goal outburst in the second half, Reading United A.C (2-0-3). saw off their local rivals, Lehigh Valley United (0-3-1), by a 4-1 score line in USL League Two action on Wednesday night. Goals by Isak Sedin, Talla Fave, Kaelen Debagge and Isaac Hollinger helped Reading stay unbeaten on the season and temporarily pushed the club into first place in what is shaping up to be a hotly contested Mid-Atlantic Division.
The first half of the mid-week match was a tepid affair as both sides tried to impose their will. Things did eventually heat up in the game’s 28th minute after Reading United midfielder Josiah Ramirez wriggled through Lehigh Valley’s defensive line. With only the goalkeeper to beat, LVU’s Zachary Mikuta hauled down Ramirez and was shown a straight red card for a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Though they had the man advantage, Reading were unable to unlock the Lehigh Valley backline as the sides headed to halftime break tied at 0-0.
The break was just what Reading needed. Seconds after resuming play in the second half, Reading finally made their man advantage pay off. Jalen Weatherspoon worked the right flank and played a low and dangerous cross into the LVU penalty area. Midfielder Isak Sedin danced past his mark and one timed a shot past Lehigh Valley goalkeeper Cameron Hall to give Reading a 1-0 lead.
Seven minutes later Reading doubled their advantage. Faced with several Lehigh Valley defenders in front of him, Reading’s Marten Imping pulled a pass back to Talla Faye, who punished the visitors with a scorching shot to the back of the net to make it 2-0.
The hosts continued to pour on the pressure and grabbed their third goal of the game in the 70th minute. Sedin was in on the action again as he flicked a ball over the Lehigh Valley defense. Substitute Kaelon Debbage took the ball and deposited it in the back of the net to push the score line to 3-0.
Lehigh Valley grabbed what would be a consolation goal in the 73rd minute. A momentary breakdown in the Reading defense allowed LVU’s Everett McCloskey to thunder a shot from long range past Reading goalkeeper Russell Shealy to make it 3-1.
Just a minute later, Reading answered back. Midfielder Colin Biros played Isaac Hollinger through on goal and the substitute forward left Hall stranded. His tidy finish inside the right goalpost capped the scoring and allowed Reading to run out 4-1 winners and claim first place in the division.
Reading United will look to extend their unbeaten start to the 2022 campaign when they host long-time rivals, the Ocean City Nor’easters, at Alvernia University on Saturday, June 4th at 7:00pm. This will be the 53rd meeting in what is now the longest active rivalry in USL League Two. Game day tickets are available for purchase at readingunitedac.com.
