Satuday, May 19, 2012
SOUTH HUNTINGTON, N.Y. -- Reading United took victory against the Long Island Rough Riders on Saturday night, beginning the 2011 Eastern Conference champions' 2012 PDL season with a defeat. Greg Cochrane scored the lone goal for Reading in the 52nd minute after a flurry of action in the Rough Riders penalty area that saw goalkeeper Alex Naples made a save on a shot from Reading midfielder Paul Wyatt, only for Cochrane to put away the rebound.
Last season the Rough Riders had a stellar campaign finishing first in the Mid Atlantic division posting a record of 12-3-1. Standout players such as Tyler Arnone and Ben Arikian have returned for 2012 and although the first game ended in a loss, this season looks very promising. In front of a packed Cy Donnelly Stadium at Saint Anthony’s High School the Rough Riders started the first half well, but were matched pound-for-pound by Reading, which finished second to the Rough Riders a season ago. The game had very few scoring chances in the first half thanks to the tight defense played by both teams.
When a chance did arise before the break, Naples was equal to the task as he made an important save in the 38th minute. Other than that chance, however, both teams went to the dressing rooms at halftime needing to devise a plan to put the ball in the back of the net.
The second half proved much more exciting as play opened up as both sides sought the elusive first goal. it didn't take long in arriving, Cochrane scoring in the 52nd minute, but that only served to spur the Rough Riders with plenty of time remaining to score an equalizing goal.
Long Island was boosted in the 73rd minute when Rough Riders Manager Paul Roderick brought on rookie Sean Sepe, making just his second appearance for the club. Sepe provided a spark that the team greatly needed and the pace picked up immediately. That almost paid off in second-half stoppage time as Tyler Arnone had an excellent opportunity to tie up the game, but was denied by Reading United Goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin, allowing United to hold on for victory.
The Rough Riders will aim to build on the positives of Satuday's perfomance this Tuesday night the Rough Riders as they face USL PRO's Harrisburg City Islanders in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup in Harrisburg, Pa. at the Skyline Sports Complex. The winner of that game will go on to face the New England Revolution in the third round of the competition. Be sure to follow the game on twitter (@LIRoughRiders), for updates throughout the game.