Sunday, July 14, 2013
OCEAN CITY, N.J. -- The Ocean City Nor'easters claimed the Mid Atlantic Division for the second consecutive season as they took a 2-1 victory against Reading United at Carey Stadium on Sunday night. Dwayne Reid had both goals for the Nor'easters, who earned the first place at the PDL's Eastern Conference Championships in two weeks.
The game started with a very tense atmosphere hanging over the first 10 minutes. Possession was switched back and forth as both teams tried to find a tempo. After 10 minutes, the Nor’easters had a great chance with Zoncher Dennis crossing for Ken Tribbett who lays it back for Ted Cribley, whose shot was saved.
The opening goal came on 18 miuntes as Reid scored from a Frank Tweneboa through-ball. Reid out-muscled his defender and finished hard and low past Reading goalkeeper Alex Bono. Just five minutes later the Nor’easters scored again, and again it was Reid with the finish to make it nine goals in his past three games. Reid began the attack by beating the Reading United left back and crossing for McLaws, whose shot was blocked, but Reid reached the rebound first and shot low in the corner off the far post.
The second half begun with Ocean City's Cribley jinking inside and shooting just wide. Reading United had some chances, but Michael O’Keeffe looked comfortable in goal and Tapiwa Machingauta was a rock at the back as they dealt with everything that came near them.
The half burst into life for the wrong reason after an altercation between two players saw Reid sent off but no punishment for the Reading United player involved. The sending off saw some sustained Reading pressure but, the Nor'easters defense was able to maintain the side's two-goal advantage.
Reading would hit back in stoppage time, as Jordan Vale headed home off a wonderfully delivered free kick from Jason Plumhoff from the right hand corner of the penalty area, but Ocean City would hold on to take victory and clinch the division title.