After being dealt their first loss of the season last weekend against Long Island Rough Riders, Reading United gave Jersey Express a taste of the same medicine. Coming off a 2-2 tie against FA Euro, Reading looked to begin a new winning streak at home as they took on the USL-PDL Mid-Atlantic Division leaders. In the end, Reading defeated Jersey Express 2-1 behind a second-half penalty kick.

The hosts wasted little time pressing the visitors who were on short rest after defeating Ocean City Nor’Easters 4-1 on Saturday. Wes Charpie delivered a beautifully placed ball over the Express defense to Manolo Sanchez, who found the ball in open space to put Reading up 1-0 two minutes in. Two minutes later Sanchez almost doubled the lead, but Jersey’s goalie came off his line to prevent another opportunity.

Ansgel Otto leveled the game for Jersey Express in the 15th minute. The streaking attacker weaved his way easily through Reading’s defense and found an open opportunity on net and placed the ball past Reading goalkeeper Alex Bono. Otto soon would have another chance, but this time Reading prevented him from putting Express ahead.

With the scoreline remaining at 1-1 at the half, and both teams deploying an attacking style of play, it seemed that the tie would not last through the second 45 minutes.

Out of the half, both teams battled within the midfield with neither gaining much of a edge in possession. Darius Madison found a nice ball from overhead but his heavy touch prevented any threatening goal scoring opportunity from developing. In the 59th minute, a Reading corner kick was headed over the crossbar by Guillermo Delgado. A minute later United’s second corner kick chance of the second half was cleared out of danger before a shot could be taken.

The hosts continued to press as they substituted in fresh legs. Nick Surkamp came on in the 61st minute, while Max Touloute was brought on in the 65th minute. Touloute found space moments after coming on but his shot went wide.

Jersey countered after Touloute’s effort with a handful of chances to take the lead. Alex Bono was forced to run to the edge of the box to prevent a 1-on-1 opportunity in the 70th minute before pushing a shot wide two minutes later. The subsequent corner kick was cleared out of danger and Reading made a quick counter attack.

Surkamp was taken down in the Jersey Express box soon after. Initially, the referee signaled play on and did not call for a penalty kick. However, the far sideline assistant referee adamantly waved his flag signaling to the spot. Ignacio Maganato stepped up to the ball, waited for the referee’s whistle, and buried the penalty to the right side.

The goal put Reading up 2-1 and brought life to a game that seemed to be slowing down. Both teams had chances down the stretch, but Reading’s defense played strong against an attack-minded Jersey Express squad and held on for the victory.

Reading, now in third place with a game in hand against first place Jersey Express, and two games in hand against second place Long Island, next face Baltimore Bohemians on the road on Wednesday, July 2.