Amateur
Delaware FC earn point in dramatic finish against Reading United AC
Delaware FC, Wilmington’s new USL League 2 side, fought back to earn a draw deep into stoppage time on Wednesday evening’s match against Reading United AC, the first ever meeting between the clubs.
Also referred to as the Ospreys, Delaware FC were founded back in 1989 as Hockessin Soccer Club. In the years since, the club has focused on only the youth levels, producing talent for the NCAA and professional ranks including former Philadelphia Union and current USMNT center back Mark McKenzie. The rebranded Delaware FC were announced as an expansion team to USL League 2 last November, fielding a senior side for the first time. It hasn’t been a smooth transition for the Delaware side, as they only earned one point from four matches going into Wednesday’s match.
The match kicked off at Wilmington University Athletics Complex with the Ospreys wearing highlighter yellow kits. A struggling Delaware attack nearly cashed in from a set piece in the 18th minute of the match when a header from a corner kick was swept off the line by Reading United. Delaware goalkeeper Jacob Cotton made a solid kick save in the 33rd minute from which the team was able to launch a counter attack. Captain John Morell took a long range strike that was only marginally wide.
Reading started the second half on the front foot. The midfielders Tim Timchenko and Daniel O’Sullivan controlled the game very well, keeping most of the possession in the first half. The sustained pressure paid off when Reading attacking midfielder Alvar Silva powered home a spectacular finish to the right side of the goalkeeper, giving him no chance.
This felt like a dagger to this new Delaware side at the time. Across their first four matches, they had scored a total of one goal. In need of attack-minded subs, Delaware manager Paul Marco subbed on Sean Duffy for a frustrated Morell. A long throw in the 69th minute of the match found the head of Delaware FC’s Arturo McConnachie, who could only loop it over the bar.
There was drama again in the 77th minute when a shot by Delaware looked to have beaten Reading goalkeeper Francisco Ranieri. The shot was miraculously saved off the line by Reading defender Eamon McLaughlin. McLaughlin was composed on the ball throughout the game, often swapping positions on the right side of defense with Ammit Bhogal, one of the more experienced players on the Reading roster.
The breakthrough for Delaware finally came in stoppage time, which there was plenty of due to Reading’s somewhat strange approach to killing off the game. A clearance in the 86th minute fell to Reading United attacker Bryan Akongo, who crossed the halfway line with support in the form of a three vs. two advantage. Instead of trying for a second goal, Akongo took the ball to the corner to try to kill off the game. Efforts to delay throw-ins and free kicks in the second half caused the referee to call for a lengthy amount of stoppage time. This stoppage time was taken full advantage of by Delaware when a cross into the box bounced around and fell for substitute Sean Duffy, who stroked a composed finish into the top right corner.
Delaware made efforts to search for the winner, and had multiple chances to claim it spurned. However, the match ended in truly bizarre fashion when Delaware won a free kick about ten yards into their own half. Reading United captain Tim Timchenko attempted to delay the free kick from being taken, getting physical and shoving Delaware goalkeeper Cotton. After pondering the situation, the official sent off Timchenko, then immediately blew for full time, ending the match 1-1.
While a point was much needed for the struggling Delaware team, a draw does not affect the standings too greatly as both clubs are currently far removed from the USL League 2 playoff picture. Delaware FC are in action next Friday, June 20th at Lehigh Valley United. Reading United AC hit the road again on Saturday when they face Real Central NJ.
Delaware FC Lineup
Jacob Cotton; Oluwatobi Osoba, Robert Myrick, Sean Boyle, Bilal Bell (Stephen Brown 64’); John Morell (Sean Duffy 57’), Jake Ross (Emmett Shea 57’), Aiden Gonzalez (Kenshin Akimoto 78’); Sebastian Perez-Gasiba (Jonathan Daniel 78’), Arturo McConnochie (Miles Hood 78’), Troy Paul (Bryce Flowers 45’)
Unused Subs: Morounfoluwa Olorunyomi, Zachary Bittner
Goals: Sean Duffy 90+’
Yellow Cards: Arturo McConnochie 59’, Sean Duffy 76’
