United trounce Evergreen Hammers, 5-2
Leesburg, VA. (June 6, 2017) – Reading continued their strong run in league play with a 5-2 trouncing of Evergreen FC Tuesday night. After taking a tight 2-1 lead into halftime, Reading exploded for three goals in the 66th, 76th, and 84th minutes to seal the victory at Evergreen Sportsplex. Frantzdy Pierrot led United with a hat trick, sending him amongst the league leaders and already tying his total from last season. The team’s third straight victory placed Reading level in points with the division leading New York Red Bulls U23.
Pierrot’s first came in the 31st minute to double Reading’s lead. Paul Marie started the play by leading Rob Campbell down the right flank with a tantalizing ball, which Campbell promptly deposited into the box. Pierrot snapped a thunderous header though the keeper’s arms for a 2-0 lead at the time.
Pierrot would rekindle his scoring efforts in the 66th minute, as he was able punch in Hugo Delhommelle’s league leading 5th assist off of a restart from the left flank. He’d find net again in the 84th minute, shaking off a defender at the top of the box to slot it home for his third tally of the game and fourth of the season.
Reading pressured early and often, utilizing all the attacking tools at their disposal. For most of the first half, they dominated possession and set the pace of the game, forcing Evergreen FC to spend much of their time in their defensive third. Delhommelle opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a low roller tucked inside the far post to cap off an impressive run into the box.
The second half saw Reading become more organized in their attacking play, and they had results to show for it. Jelani Pieters substitution in the 60th minute especially ignited Reading’s attack, adding a dynamic threat on the right side. Following Pierrot’s 66th minute game winner, Pieters sent a screaming cross through the box in the 76th, finding the left foot of Evan Finnegan who pounded it inside the left post.
Evergreen struck twice during the match, once in the 38th and again in the 88th. Graydon Hester poked one past to slice Reading’s first half lead in half, and Chris Cooke tallied the late goal.
Reading is now 3-0 against Evergreen overall, outscoring the Hammers 17-3 during those matchups. Pierrot has accounted for five of those United goals, after netting a brace in Reading’s 7-1 thumping of Evergreen at home last July.
United’s next league match will be on June 17th at 7:30pm at Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium. Reading will face New York Red Bulls U23 team during our annual Kicks Against Cancer Night. Reading United players will be wearing purple jerseys, which will be auctioned off during the game, with proceeds benefitting local cancer charities. Tickets are available at 9h9.f8e.myftpupload.com/ or on game day at the Don Thomas Stadium ticket office.
READING UNITED LINE-UP
GK – Ben Lundt; DEF – Robert Campbell (Will Campbell 69′) Lamine Conte, Nathan Brown, Evan Finnegan; MID – Aaron Molloy, Hugo Delhommelle, Jorge Guinovart (Jelani Pieters 60′) Zach Zandi (Emmanuel Chanis 80′); FWD – Paul Marie (Salar Faryar 84′), Frantzdy Pierrot (J.J. Williams 86′)
SCORING SUMMARY
RUAC – Hugo Delhommelle – 7′
RUAC – Frantzdy Pierrot (Rob Campbell) – 31′
EFC – Graydon Hester – 38′
RUAC – Frantzdy Pierrot – 67′
RUAC – Evan Finnegan (Jelani Pieters) – 76′
RUAC – Frantzdy Pierrot (Hugo Delhommelle) – 84′
EFC – William Cooke (Aaron Hollins) – 88′
