The Nor'easters scored two second half goals but couldn't overcome Reading.

7/4/15

By: Christian Candeloro

Despite a furious late game rally, the Ocean City Nor’easters fell to Reading United AC 3-2 at Carey Stadium on Friday night. Forward Khesanio Hall and midfielder Jorge Guinovart each scored a goal in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to keep Ocean City from falling to their bitter rivals for the second time this season.

The Nor’easters fell behind in the 33rd minute, as Reading midfielder Bradley Fountain snuck a goal past the Ocean City defense to make the game 1-0. The two teams would enter the locker room for half time with Reading holding a 1-0 lead but there were several opportunities for each team to have added to the scoring.

Andre Morrison plays a long ball against Reading Photo Credit AC Press

The best chance came from Reading in the 19th minute, when they were awarded a penalty kick. The shot went wide left, allowing Nor’easters goalkeeper Tim Dobrowlski to let out a sigh of relief.

In the 30th minute, midfielder Victor Araujo’s cross to the back post found defender Andre Morrison, but his scoring attempt flew just over the crossbar to keep Ocean City off the scoreboard.

Again in the 45th minute, the Nor’easters came within inches of tying the game, as forward John Manga set up Araujo with a beautiful pass but Araujo’s shot missed the net by inches, causing the team bench and crowd to react.

The second half started with a questionable call on the Nor’easters as Reading defender Andrew Kendall-Moullin was awarded Reading’s second penalty kick of the game in the 50th minute on a questionable foul call in the box.

Kendall-Moullin fired the shot past a diving Dobrowlski, giving Reading a 2-0 lead.

Over the next 20 minutes the game became a chippy slugfest as both teams began to show how much they don’t like each other and several yellow cards were issued to both sides.

In the 70th minute, the Nor’easters gave their crowd something to cheer about and brought themselves right back into the game when Hall slipped past the Reading defense and buried a shot into the back of the net.

The Nor’easters played with renewed confidence after the goal, applying heavy pressure on the Reading backline to try and find the equalizer.

The high was short lived however, as Reading found the net in the 75th minute off the foot of defender Martin Nygaard, giving Reading a commanding 3-1 lead.

Undeterred, the Nor’easters kept pushing to try and find two goals in the last 15 minutes. They came oh so close.

In the 86th minute, Guinovart fired a rocket from the far corner past Reading goalkeeper Kyle Morton to pull the Nor’easters to within one goal.

Over the final minutes, the Nor’easters attacked Reading with a barrage of scoring tries, attempting to knot the game up at 3.

However, time ran out and the Nor’easters were defeated for a second time this year by Reading. You can watch the full game replay here.

The Nor’easters sit in sixth place in the PDL Mid-Atlantic Division, with 14 points on the season, eight points behind division leading Long Island.

2015 Individual Match and Season ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call (609) 432-8271 to speak with a Nor'easters ticket representative, email us at tickets@oceancityfc.com, or visit www.oceancityfc.com/tickets for ticket package information.

Text "SCARVES" to (609) 432-8271 to receive an exclusive promo code, for ticket purchases made online via www.oceancityfc.com/tickets.

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