Vermont Green FC Stuns Reading United AC In Stoppage Time
Vermont Green FC Stuns Reading United AC In Stoppage Time
The Green's playoff story will have another chapter
In another stormy matchday, Vermont Green FC managed to continue its USL League Two playoff story with a 1-0 win over Reading United AC. The postseason victory Vermont’s second in club history.
The starting XI featured minimal changes from the last match against the Western Mass Pioneers. Jaheim Wickham started in net while the back line featured Nick Lockermann, Moussa Ndiaye, Reid Fisher, and Nathan Simeon.
Rodrigo Vaza and Sam Layton served as defensive midfielder while Mohammed Ibrahim was the No. 10. Jackson Castro and Zachary Zengue were on the wings while Yaniv Bazini was the lone striker up top.
With the rain pouring down, it was a sloppy start to the match. Both teams were patient, which isn’t surprising considering the stakes and lack of knowledge of their opponents.
In the 16th minute, Ibrahim nearly opened the scoring tally as he made a beautiful run across goal and received a pass from Bazini but Reading United’s goalkeeper made the point-blank save. Vermont had another chance in the 26th minute as Castro served a cross into the box but Zengue was unable to get any contact on the ball.
The Green continued to push forward and get quality goal-scoring chances. Simeon served a beautiful cross into the box in the 34th minute but Zengue’s diving header went out for a goal kick.
Reading got its best chance of the first half in the 36th minute as Dominik Topolsky was in on goal but Lockermann made a great effort to block the shot.
Starting the second half, Vermont was on the front foot as Zengue got another opportunity to find the back of the net but failed to convert.
Adam Pfeifer made his first change in the 68th minute as Jacob Labovits and Daniel Pacella replaced Ibrahim and Layton. Labovits nearly had an isntant impact as he ran in on goal but the Reading goalkeeper made another great save in the 75th minute.
Reading almost found the back of the net in the 80th minute as a cross squirted through Wickham’s gloves but the goalkeeper was able to get enough of his body in front of the ball as the ensuing attempt trickled wide and was cleared away by Fisher.
After the save, Reading was in control as they were constantly putting Vermont’s abck line under pressure. Wickham made another impressive save in the 85th minute to keep the score even.
Pfeifer made additional changes in the 88th minute as Ryan Combe and Gabe Threadgold replaced Zengue and Castro.
In the 90th minute, Vermont found the breakthrough as Bazini headed home his 12th goal of the season courtesy of a cross from Simeon. It was the perfect display of his aerial ability and clutch goalscoring.
Bazini was already etched in club history as the all-time leading scorer but his goal that saw Vermont advance will be a moment that is remembered for eternity.
The Green’s next match will take place on July 19.