READING, PA--After being blanked in their previous two contests, FA Euro New York (1-3-0) looked to get back into the win column as they traveled down to Reading, Pennsylvania to take on Reading United AC (2-1-0).
The FA Euro players came into the game with a disadvantage as they had to play without starting forward Charlie Ledula and Head Coach Joe Balsamo, both who were suspended for the game because of the red cards they received against Ocean City. After playing the first 3 games in a 3-5-2 formation, FA Euro switched to a 4-4-1-1 as game day coach Marco Balsamo looked for any spark to ignite his team.
It was a rough start for FA Euro as early opportunities for United kept FA Euro Keeper Brian McPartland on his toes early and often in the first half. In the 13’ minute, United’s Mo Conde ripped a screamer at goal only to see McPartland make the strong handed save. Then, in the 17’ minute, United’s star player Hugo Delhommelle delivered a beautiful corner into the box, but Emmanuel Chanis headed the ball just over the crossbar.
With the game being played in their defensive zone, FA Euro had to play off the counter attack. In the 31’ minute FA Euro’s Alberto Rebecca took a lob shot after noticing opposing keeper Alex Bouillennec far out of the goal, but the shot went wide. In the 42’ minute Rebecca took another shot which also went wide.
With 3 minutes of stoppage time, United’s fifth corner kick of the game saw Mo Conde score on a header from Hugo Delhommelle. FA Euro’s keeper McPartland argued the goal letting the refs know that he had his hands on the ball which would have resulted in a foul on Conde.
Heading into the second half, FA Euro had extra motivation after conceding a goal late in the first. Things really began to pick up for FA Euro as they began to take the momentum away from Reading United AC. In the 58’ minute, Rebecca nearly had the equalizer, but his shot was just off target.
Trying to slow the game down, United’s Evan Finnegan was shown a yellow card for time wasting in the 65’ minute. The chances continued to pour in for FA Euro, but they couldn’t find a way to capitalize while they had the momentum. In the 67’ minute, the strong game for Hugo Delhommelle continued as he found the back of the goal off of a deflection.
Trying to end their scoreless streak, FA Euro missed another opportunity to score off of the free kick in the 75’ minute, when the ball was headed over the goal. Trying to find any way to get his team back into the game, Coach Balsamo made 5 subs in the second half. The Team couldn’t find a way to score as they fell to United 2-0.
A controversial ending to the game saw frustration from the FA Euro team. After 8 total substitutions and few yellow cards in the second half, the referee’s only added 2 minutes of stoppage time to the game. With no explanation from the head referee as to why there was such a short amount of stoppage time, FA Euro felt slighted by the refs.
After being held scoreless for the third consecutive game, FA Euro New York has gone 310 minutes without scoring a goal. FA Euro looks to turn things around next Saturday at 7:30 PM when they welcome the undefeated New York Red Bulls U23 to St. John's University.