Sunday, June 24, 2012
READING, Pa. – Reading United was hoping their matchup with the Long Island Rough Riders at Shirk Stadium would provide some clarity to their path to the USL PDL Eastern Conference playoffs. A victory would place them squarely in the thick of the playoff hunt, two points behind Ocean City and a home game in hand against the Nor’easters. Instead, a 45th-minute header by Long Island’s Keith Datelj kept Reading’s playoff hopes in flux in a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon.
“We just haven’t played well the past three games,” said head coach Brendan Burke. “That’s all I have to say.”
United was coming off back-to-back shutouts at the hands of the Jersey Express and Baltimore Bohemians. The losses dropped them from the ranks of the undefeated to possibly missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Reading got the monkey off their back and struck first in the 36th minute. Deshorn Brown fed Pedro Ribeiro down the right side of the box, who cut back against the grain and found the far post for a 1-0 lead. But Datelj knotted things up eight minutes later after Sean Sepe’s floating cross found Datelj by the far post, who nodded in the equalizer.
Both teams would have their chances in the second half, but neither could find the back of the net. Long Island’s best chance came in the 86th minute, as Reading’s Jonny Raj headed a chance off the line after goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin came out of the box to challenge. Reading had its best opportunity actually go past the goal line before Ryan Finley was whistled offside in stoppage time. Their last ditch attempts soon after the offside call would bounce around the box, but Long Island defenders blocked every shot on net.
Reading did have one thing go right on Sunday: helping to “kick” cancer. Over $1,000 was raised for cancer awareness for the American Cancer Society and Jolee Border Foundation, thanks to a special jersey raffle that took place during the game. The annual “Kicks Against Cancer Night” is held in honor of former general manager and player Archie Moylan, who was diagnosed and died of cancer in 2000.
United returns to action on Friday, June 29th against the Bermuda Hogges, who will be playing their third game in six games when they visit Shirk Stadium. 2012 Reading United Game Day Tickets and Season Tickets now available at readingunitedac.com. Also available: Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact Denise Strohmayr at denise@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.