After the game had been postponed on two previous occasions, the Ocean City Barons (9-2-4) finally played their match at Reading (7-4-4) and lost 5-4 on Friday night. Reading scored on a dramatic free kick by Marc Benson in second half stoppage time, giving them their first-ever win against the Barons. Byron Carmichael scored a pair of goals and had an assist. Two Ocean City High School graduates, Kyle Evans and Mike Moussaw, also tallied for the Barons. Moussaw, along with three other teenagers, made his first start in his Barons career.

Carmichael scored his 34th and 35th career goals with the Barons. This leaves him one goal short of the club record of 36 goals held by Ruben Mingo.

In the 17th minute, Carmichael assisted on a Kyle Evans goal to open the scoring. For the second game in a row, Carmichael assisted on a first half goal by Kyle Evans. One minute later, Carmichael got one of his own, courtesy of 18-year old Brad Franks, who was making his third straight start for the team.Adam Marcellus pulled one back for the home side in the 24th minute, but Carmichael would add his second goal seven minutes later to make it 3-1.

After the halftime break, Reading equalized with goals by Pat Stanco in the 51st and AJ Kulp in the 62nd. Four minute later, Moussaw would score his first career goal to put the Barons up 4-3. However, the home team would fight back with another equalizer in the 84th minute by Steve Hogan.

The game went to second half stoppage time and the Barons were called for a foul just outside their own penalty area. Rage defender Marc Benson bent the free kick over the wall and into the back of the net to score a dramatic game-winner for Reading.

The second place Barons will now look ahead to the regular season finale against the first place, and unbeaten, Hampton Roads Piranhas. This Sunday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. the two best teams in the Mid-Atlantic Division will square off in Ocean City in what could be a preview of a matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs, which is also being held next weekend at Carey Stadium.