Sunday, 7 March 2010
Sunderland Sunday Premier League
RCA The Barnes went down to only their second league defeat of the season to a strong and determined Paragon team by four goals to two.
RCA's squad was stretched to the limits with no fewer than nine squad members unavailable due to a variety of reasons, but mainly affecting the offensive side as they had no centre forwards available and the main threat from midfield - Martin Metcalfe was suspended - missing.
The makeshift side were no match for the Paragon outfit and had it not been for a MOM performance from keeper Neal Atkinson it could have been much worse. Paragon started strongly and pressed from the start going ahead on 20 minutes when RCA failed to clear a corner. The ball was played across the six yard box to be slid home at the far post. Worst was to follow when, despite two consecutive saves from Atkinsonn, no RCA defenders reacted and the loose ball was lashed home for 2 - 0 to Paragon.
The killer goal was scored with the last action of the first half when Paragon's Smith was allowed to drive in from the wide left wing, was given far too much space and drove home at the near post giving the keeper no chance.
The second half saw a slightly better performance from RCA, but after two sending offs (one for each side) the game became fairly mundane. RCA's Jake Moan pulled one back on 65 minutes, but in truth Paragon should have put the game to bed on numerous occassions when one-on-one with keeper Atkinson, who was keeping them at bay single handed. Paragon did score a fourth after 85 minutes when yet again the RCA defence stood flat footed after another save from the keeper and Paragon slammed home. Paul Hartley then scrambled a 90th minute consolation for RCA, but all in all it was a very bad day at the office and despite the absentees the players on the day were not up to the job.
Still we will put that to bed and move on to next week when we are again back up at Silksworth Welfare for a league game against Golden Fleece.