Sunderland Sunday League
Tuesday 7 April 2009
RCA The Barnes' season continued its depressingly familiar downward spiral as they were completely humiliated by a slick Hastings outfit by sevn goals to one.
Without regular keeper Errington (busted ribs), Willie Crew (work) and resting Phil Hall and Mark McLeod ahead of their cup tie on Sunday coming, the players charged with representing the club fell way way short of acceptable standards. Stand in keeper Austin was left exposed time and time again as the overworked defence were left open on a regular basis by a midfield quartet of Hartley, Tyzack, Stevens and Metcalfe, who was the only one of the four who came out with any credit as he tried to do the other three's running for them. The front two of Place and Gilbert were totally ineffective (not surprising given the paucity of decent ball) whilst centre half and skipper Curtis had some excuse given this was his fifth game in six days. Of the other defenders both Alan Surtees and Liam Dunn performed manfully against wave after wave of Hastings attacks with no protection whatsoever from those in front of them.
Goals were scored on a regular basis throughout the 90 mins and only Martin Metcalfe's headed effort from McLeod's (on as a sub with 25 to go) free kick gave some relief.
All in all a pathetic effort which needs addressing or the whole season could fall away into complete humiliation.
Apologies for the negative aspect of this report, but this is the harsh reality of the situation and players and officials need to grasp the nettle and do something about it, quickly.
Hopefully we will be much much improved on Sunday coming in our last chance for honours against Colonel Prior at Ryhope CW, so if feel like risking it please come along and support, what we all hope will be a better performance.