Paradise midfielder Sam Owen challenges in the air

Paradise Lounge were punished for a dreadful display as FC Marina sailed into the third round of the Sam Kimberley Cup.

It was a scrappy start to the match and neither side looked capable of breaking the deadlock for much of the first-half.

Paradise powerhouse Simon Owen struck the post, while younger brother Sam Owen and striker partner Ben Hartshorne both failed to score from one-on-ones.

The Lounge, who went into the cup tie on the back of three consecutive victories, were a shadow of the team which came from behind to beat city rivals Lichfield Crown 5-3 last Sunday and seemed to invite their Cannock opponents to open the scoring – which they inevitably did just before the interval.

Goalkeeper Paul Webb made a good save but FC Marina’s forward was quickest to react and prodded in the loose ball before full-back James Warburton could clear.

Paradise began the second-half in the same fashion they ended the first when FC Marina burst through the middle and doubled their advantage with a fierce drive.

Simon Owen connected with Graham Welsh’s cross to reduce the deficit, but the visitors soon restored their two-goal cushion from the penalty spot after Lee Rafter dragged down their pacy winger in the area to deny him a clear goalscoring opportunity.

FC Marina piled on more misery for the Lounge when their striker out-jumped centre-half Paul Hill and headed beyond the despairing dive of Webb for 4-1.

Paradise defender Ben Lowe was shocked and embarrassed by the defeat:

“We were absolutely abysmal – it was humiliating and FC Marina fully deserved to go through. But good teams bounce back, so we need to prove we are with a positive performance and result in our next game.”

Paradise: Paul Webb, James Warburton (James Wilkinson), Paul Hill, Ben Lowe, Lee Rafter, Graham Welsh, Sam Owen, Adam Worthington, Pete Burton (Nick Hill), Simon Owen (Steve Spencer), Ben Hartshorne. Subs not used: Stuart Gauntlett, Mark Morris.

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