Reading United AC News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
NEWARK, N.J. – Reading only needed five minutes to snap Jersey’s four-game shutout streak at home to enter the season, as they rolled to a 3-1 victory at NJIT Thursday night. Christian Barreiro picked off a pass in the Express backfield and placed it in a wide open net to start the first half, and Reading never looked back.
The matchup, which pitted the second and third place teams in the Mid Atlantic Division, saw Lasse Sohrweide added an exclamation point to the end of the first half after Matt Sanner was taken down just outside the penalty area in the 44th minute. His free kick bent to the left corner and rattled off the post and in for his fourth goal of the year.
“That was an absolute class shot. Couldn’t have been placed any better in that situation. There’s no goalie that could’ve made a play on that,” said Reading head coach Brendan Burke.
Sean Peckham, who has been playing some of the best soccer on the team recently, netted his second goal in as many games in the 67th minute. A long throw-in from the far sideline by Shane Malcolm skimmed off Christian Barreiro’s head, finding Peckham’s forehead as he nodded the shot inside the near post for a 3-0 lead.
Jersey, fresh off an 11-1 drubbing of the Brooklyn Knights last weekend, fell victim to a relentless United attack for 90 minutes. A late 89th minute goal from 25 yards out by Jersey’s Libo Pila ended keeper Brian Holt’s shutout bid, but any hope of a late comeback was dashed well before the effort. Holt made five saves on the evening in another solid outing.
“They are a quality opponent. We’re extremely happy to come away with three points playing on the road,” Burke said.
With the win, Reading closed to within a point of Mid Atlantic Division leading Long Island Rough Riders, and added to a six-point cushion between themselves and the Express. Jersey will visit Reading on July 16th, in what will certainly be a highly anticipated match-up between the two rivals.
Reading returns home for a Sunday, June 26th matchup against the Brooklyn Knights at 6:00pm at Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium for Faith and Family Night. All church groups in attendance with 50+ fans will be entered into a drawing to be “tithed” ten percent of the gate sales.