Reading United News Release - www.readingunitedac.com
Thursday, May 18, 2011
READING, Penn. – A day after the Cleveland Cavaliers came out winners in the NBA Draft Lottery, a different kind of Cavalier led Reading United A.C. to victory in New Rochelle, NY. University of Virginia teammates Will Bates, Brian "Cobi" Span and Brian Ownby combined for three goals and two assists in a 4-1 thumping of the Westchester Flames in a rain-soaked affair. All three goals came within a 13-minute period that started late in the first half and ended any thoughts of a Flames comeback.
Reading had numerous chances to break through in the first half. The first came a low line drive off the foot of Lasse Sohrweide that just missed the far post. Then Flames keeper Greg Crumpstone showed off his athleticism on a pair of saves around the 32nd minute, including a diving stop on a Christian Barreiro penalty kick. United finally tallied their first goal in the same minute, as defender Matt Hedges put home a Christian Barreiro feed in the box.The first goal prompted the impressive display by the Cavalier teammates. Bates tallied his first of the season on a beautiful goal in the 41st minute, putting a low cross from Shane Malcolm just inside the near post. A mere minute into the second half, Bates struck a Span cross from the right corner first-time past a helpless Crumpstone. Span finished the United scoring on a through-ball from Ownby that found its way between the Flames defenders.
The Flames finally got on the board in the 83rd minute, when United keeper Brian Holt was called for a yellow card in the box, after making an aggressive stop on Westchester's Jake Keegan. Keegan converted on the penalty kick, but it was too little, too late for the Flames.
Reading returns home Friday night for the last of their U.S. Open Cup Qualifiers as they take on the Ocean City Nor’Easters at a special venue (Oley Valley H.S.) for a special cause – Mark McKently Scholarship fundraiser. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, May 22, Reading will take on the U17 U.S. Men's National Team as a preparation match before it heads to Mexico for the U17 World Cup. Reading United are home again for two professional friendlies on May 24 against the Harrisburg City Islanders and May 31 against the Philadelphia Union).
Tickets for Reading United games are available online at www.readingunitedac.com/store/tickets.html or gamedays at the stadium.