READING, PA (July 24, 2016) – Reading United saw their 2016 season come to a bitter end as they were beaten by long time rivals, the Ocean City Nor’Easters, by a 4-1 scoreline in the Premier Development League’s Eastern Conference Championship Game. United took the lead in the first half on a lovely free kick by Aaron Molloy. The match was turned on its head when Mo Conde was sent off in the 34th minute. Despite some heroic saves by Reading goalkeeper Steffen Kraus, Ocean City capitalized on the man advantage to score four goals in the second half to clinch the conference title.

Reading opened the scoring in the 22nd minute following a foul on Frantzdy Pierrot by Ocean City defender Andrew Morrison 25 yards from goal. Aaron Molloy stepped up to take the free kick, hitting it over the Nor’easters wall and past Mike Kirk to push Reading into the lead.

Twelve minutes later, Nathan Regis sprinted through the Reading defense and turned the tide of the match. Mo Conde hustled back to break up the threat, but clipped too much of Regis’ leg causing referee Brandon Smith to award Ocean City a penalty. Compunding matters for Reading, Conde was shown a straight red card for a denial of a goal scoring opportunity.

Regis stepped up to take the spot kick for Ocean City, but his effort was well saved by United goalkeeper Steffen Kraus.

Moments later, Kraus made another heroic stop to preserve United’s advantage. In first half stoppage time, Mutaya Mwape fired a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced to Nathan Regis. The Ocean City forward headed on target, but Kraus made a last ditch save to keep the score 1-0 going into halftime.

Coming out of the halftime break the Nor’easters pressed their man advantage and would level the match in the 55th minute. Mwape struck a free kick that deflected off the Reading United defensive wall and looped over the outstretched glove of Steffen Kraus and into the net to tie the match at 1-1.

Ocean City would take the lead in the 76th minute. Mwape was involved again as he used his pace to beat United defender Mac Curran on the endline. The pacey Nor’easters forward played a touch pass to Regis on the near post and the forward buried his shot past Kraus to make it 2-1.

The Nor’easters would add an insurance goal in the 89th minute. Chevy Walsh picked out the penetrating run of Miguel Jaime. With only Kraus to beat, Jaime played a chip up and over Kraus to extend the visitors’ lead to 3-1.

Not content with a two goal lead, Mwape stripped United center back Kai Fernandes of the ball near midfield and launched a two on one breakaway. Mwape picked up his second assist on the night playing a square ball to Regis, who calmly stroked the ball past Kraus to cement Ocean City’s 4-1 victory.

The win ended Ocean City’s eight game winless streak in Reading and sent the Nor’easters back to the PDL National Semifinals for the first time since 2013.

SCORING SUMMARY

RUAC:  Aaron Molloy - 22'
OC:  Mutaya Mwape - 55'
OC: Nathan Regis (Mutaya Mwape) - 76'
OC: Miguel Jaime (Chevy Walsh) - 89'
OC: Nathan Regis (Mutaya Mwape) - 90+3'

READING UNITED LINEUP

GK - Steffen Kraus; DEF - Mo Conde, Rob Sagel, Kai Fernandes, Mac Curran; MID - Uros Antic (Omar Guzman 46'), Aaron Molloy, Rayane Boukemia; FOR - Frantzdy Pierrot, Gilbert Waso, Ismael Noumansana (Reece Weldon 61')

UNUSED SUBS: Ben Beaury, Pierre Reedy