PDL Game Report
Friday, June 20, 2014
READING, Pa. – In a match that appeared to be headed toward a dour, scoreless draw, one moment of brilliance earned Reading United a crucial victory over their rivals, the Ocean City Nor’easters. Darius Madison’s 73rd-minute wonder strike electrified the United faithful at Gurski Stadium and allow the home team to bank three big points in the race for the PDL’s Mid Atlantic Division.
From the opening whistle, Ocean City’s strategy for dealing with United’s high tempo, possession based attack was to sit back and absorb pressure. The tactic was largely successful, though United had chances to get on the scoreboard early. In the 14th minute, United suffered a big scare as Madison collided with Nor’easters goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky and crumpled to the turf. The Reading talisman shook off the knock after receiving treatment on the field for few moments.
Though thoroughly dominating possession, United were unable to unlock the Ocean City defense and the sides entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
Reading Head Coach David Castellanos made a tactical adjustment to start the second half, inserting Quincy Thomas into the match at left back. The rivals showed more intensity and both sides had chances to get on the scoreboard early in the second half.
Ocean City nearly stole a goal in the 48th minute when a breakdown along United’s back line gifted Nor’easters midfielder Jason Plumhoff an open look at goal. The former Reading man drove his shot wide of Reading goalkeeper Alex Bono’s net. At the other end of the field, Reading right back Wes Charpie hit a low drive into the Ocean City penalty area, where the ball took a wicked deflection that looked destined for the back of the net. Klenofsky, beaten by the deflection and flat on his back, barely managed to corral the ball before it crossed the goal line.
The stalemate was finally broken in the 73rd minute. Second-half substitute Max Touloute picked out Madison’s run with a lovely through-ball. The United hitman struck the ball on a bouce and looped his effort over Klenofsky and into the side netting to hand the home side the lead. Madison reflected on his fifth goal of the season saying, “Max played me through, the ball was bouncing inside the corner of the eighteen and I decided to have a rip and it went in upper 90.”
The goal brought new life to the match as Ocean City went in search of the tying goal. The defending Mid Atlantic Division champions had their best chance of the night clang off the right post of Reading’s goal. Nor’easters captain Shawn McLaws burst into the Reading penalty area, hitting an off balance shot that beat Bono but rattled the post and fell short of the goal line.
United seized control of the match, closing out the match by maintaining possession in the Ocean City end of the field. The referee’s final time whistle signaled United’s 1-0 victory over the Nor’easters. It was United’s fourth clean sheet of the season and with the club holding league opposition scoreless for 393 consecutive minutes.
“We have a really solid back four, no matter who we put in there. We’ve gelled together really nicely, so there doesn’t feel like there’s a gap when a new guy comes in,” Bono said of his defense following his third shutout of the season.
Castellanos commended his defense’s effort. "I think we’re all dedicated to keeping clean sheets, starting from Bono making huge saves and being vocal back there. It’s a tight group and those shutouts are like goals for them and they love it and are working their tails off in practice and it shows out here in the game.”
Reading has a quick turn around and will be back in action at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium on Sunday afternoon for an important league match against the visiting Long Island Rough Riders. Kickoff has been moved to 3 p.m. United will be hosting their 3rd Annual In Ian’s Boots Day, with fans asked to bring gently used shoes to the game to help this tremendous non-profit organization help those less fortunate. Tickets are available at www.readingunitedac.com. Reading United offer 2014 Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.