United claim gritty 1-0 win over Ocean City
READING, PA (June 3, 2017) – In the 43rd all-time meeting between the clubs, Reading United A.C. edged the Ocean City Nor’easters by a 1-0 final score in their Premier Development League Mid-Atlantic Division contest at Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium. Aaron Molloy netted the game winner in 82nd minute for Reading as United pulled into a three way tie atop the Mid-Atlantic Division standings.
With his side having already played two matches in six days, Reading Head Coach Stephen Hogan opted for a completely different starting line-up from the one that faced the Harrisburg City Islanders in Open Cup play midweek. Kutztown Area High School graduate Pierre Reedy made his season debut for Reading, while University of Akron goalkeeper Ben Lundt made his first start in net for United. Mo Adams returned to the starting line-up after missing the Open Cup match against Harrisburg while serving a suspension.
Befitting the nature of a rivalry match, the physical tone of the game was set early on as United defender Mo Conde was forced to leave the match after sustaining a head injury in a violent collision. St. Francis University defender C.J. Smolyn, who won his roster spot at one of Reading’s open tryouts this past winter, came into the match and performed admirably. Smolyn immediately meshed with his teammates, won his one-on-one challenges and shut down Ocean City’s attack on the left side of the pitch.
Though Reading held the edge in possession through much of the first half, neither team could find a goal in an opening 45 minutes that was punctuated by a combined 18 fouls.
Midway through the second half, Coach Hogan went to his bench and inserted regular starters Aaron Molloy, Hugo Delhommelle, Frantzdy Pierrot and Gilbert Waso. It was a move that brought the Reading attack to life. Delhommelle began linking play and played dangerous balls in behind the Ocean City back line. Nor’easters goalkeeper Todd Morton made four clutch saves in the second half to keep the hosts off the scoreboard.
United would find the back of the net with just eight minutes remaining through some great link-up play and a bit of luck. In the 82nd minute, Delhommelle collected a cross from Molloy and beat his defender to create space down the right channel. The midfielder from Syracuse University hit a low cross into the box that found the darting run of Molloy. The Irishman put his shot on target but a deflection left Morton stranded as the ball nestled into the back of the net to give Reading a lead. It was Molloy’s second goal of the season and Delhommelle’s fourth assist in 2017.
The Reading United defense would need to weather a flurry of late chances as the Nor’easters looked for an equalizer. Ocean City’s best opportunity to score came in the last seconds of the match. Ocean City flighted in a corner kicked that sailed across the face of goal, but the chance went begging as no one in an orange jersey could get a touch on the ball. The ensuing goal kick was accompanied by the final whistle as Reading claimed its third win of the season with a gritty 1-0 win over their long time rivals.
After the match, Coach Hogan spoke about his side’s win, saying, “It’s a good performance on the ball and we do get the goal that we didn’t get on Wednesday night. I think we still need to improve that, I want us to be more ruthless, I always do but it’s great to get a win against an archrival.”
Reading United will hit the road for two matches before returning to Don Thomas Stadium on June 17th when they host the New York Red Bulls U23 in Premier Development League action. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm with tickets available online.
READING UNITED LINE-UP
GK – Ben Lundt; DEF – Mo Conde (C.J. Smolyn 10′), Kaelon Fox, Nathan Brown, Will Campbell; MID – Mo Adams, Jorge Guinovart (Hugo Delhommelle 62′), Neico Regent (Aaron Molloy 62′); Pierre Reedy (Gilbert Waso 62′), J.J. Williams (Frantzdy Pierrot 62′), Paul Marie
SCORING SUMMARY
RUAC – Aaron Molloy (Hugo Delhommelle) – 82′
