READING, PA (June 20, 2017) – Reading United scored a convincing 3-0 victory over the visiting Evergreen FC Hammers at Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium in Premier Development League action on Tuesday evening. United’s fifth consecutive victory came thanks to Aaron Molloy’s two goals on either side of halftime. Ivan Abramovich scored United’s third goal in his debut for the club while the Reading backline scuttled Evergreen’s chances in the final third of the field. The win moved Reading into second place in the Mid-Atlantic Division standings.

The hosts started the game brightly, with a handful of quality scoring chances inside the game’s first ten minutes. Though the alarm bells were sounding early on for the visitors, Evergreen settled into the match and their compact defensive shape allowed them to limit United’s scoring opportunities.

Reading would get the breakthrough the richly deserved after controlling much of the match. In the 38th minute, Hugo Delhommelle released Mo Conde into the Evergreen penalty with a perfect throughball. The speedy defender was hacked down in the penalty area by Hammers midfielder Chris Cooke and referee Dustin Killick pointed to the spot. Aaron Molloy stepped up to the spot and blasted his penalty kick into the back of the net to give United a 1-0 advantage.

Molloy would get his second of the evening just after halftime. Taking a pass from Evan Finnegan, Reading debutante Jakov Basic chipped a ball into the the Evergreen penalty area. Molloy got his head to lofted pass and knocked the ball into the back of the net to double United’s advantage. The goal was Molloy’s fifth of the season, good for the team lead.

In the 61st minute, Abramovich, who had been denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Evergreen’s T.J. Bush earlier in the match, got his first goal in a Reading jersey. Paul Marie whipped in a low cross that found Abramovich on the back post. The forward made no mistake and lashed the ball into the back of the net to extend United’s lead to 3-0.

With a comfortable lead, United closed out the match with some great work by centerbacks Lamine Conte and Nathan Brown. Reading goalkeeper Ben Lundt only needed to make two saves to keep United’s third clean sheet of the season. Throughout Reading’s five match winning streak, the defense has conceded just three goals.

“It’s good to get the win,” said United Assistant Coach Alan McCann following the game. Team captain Paul Marie echoed his coach’s sentiment, saying, “It’s a great win tonight to complement the win over the Red Bulls.”

Reading United will wrap up their three match home stand at Don Thomas Stadium on Friday, June 23rd when they host long time rivals Ocean City in a crucial Premier Development League Mid-Atlantic Division match. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm with tickets available online. All United home matches throughout the 2017 PDL season will be played at Exeter Township Senior High School. Tickets for the all regular season matches are available at www.readingunitedac.com. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.

READING UNITED LINE-UP
GK - Alex Bouillennec (Ben Lundt 46'); DEF - Mo Conde, Nathan Brown, Lamine Conte, Paul Marie; MID - Jakov Basic (Gilbert Waso 74'), Jorge Guinovart, Aaron Molloy, Hugo Delhommelle (Neico Regent 84'), Evan Finnegan (Jelani Pieters 68'); FWD - Ivan Abramovich (J.J. Williams 82')

SCORING SUMMARY

RUAC - Aaron Molloy (PK) - 39'
RUAC - Aaron Molloy (Jakov Basic) - 50'
RUAC - Ivan Abramovich (Paul Marie) - 69'