Paget 3 St George’s 0

Paget Lions finished the season strongly with a comfortable win over ten-man St George’s at Southampton Oval.

The home side dominated the tempo from start to finish with St George’s, the FA Cup finalists, unable to keep the ball for more than five passes and failed to play the ball forward under pressure from their physical opponents.

Paget often went direct towards striker Delray Rawlins but wingers Shakir Smith and Kamali Davis showcased a clever mix of runs in behind and coming short for the ball, with the away side struggling to cope with the pace at which Paget were attacking.

The home side deservedly opened the scoring from a set-piece, with Rakeem DeShields clipping a ball for Shakir Smith to smash a half-volley into the near post past a rooted St George’s goalkeeper Jahquil Hill.

Minutes later, Kamali Davis floated another free-kick towards Julian Carpenter, who side-footed his effort just wide of the far post, although Hill had it covered had it been on target.

Just after the half-hour, Delray Rawlins slid bravely to beat Hill to divert a cross by Kamali Davis into the far post and double the home side’s advantage.

The afternoon then went from bad to worse for St George’s when Jibri Salaam was sent off for violent conduct just before half-time after the midfielder left his studs into the Achilles of opposite number Dupray Joell, although referee Anthony Francis waited a few seconds before brandishing the red card.

Paget went to a back three for the second half in their attempt to have something to build on for the showpiece clash with title contenders North Village next Sunday.

This approach brought slightly more cohesive football from the East End side, but they continued to struggle to get forwards Jonté Smith and Paul Simons involved in meaningful areas. One of their best chances to get back into the match came from a ball by Kashe Hall, which Simons flicked on for Jarazinho Bassett, but the substitute failed to keep his effort on target.

Instead of playing on the front foot, Paget allowed St George’s to take possession for large periods of the second half and hit them swiftly on the counter-attack, with Davis showcased his immense dribbling skills for one particular Paget chance, nutmegging Philip Anderson before dragging a low effort wide from close range.

Davis got the goal his excellent performance deserved just before the end, latching on to Kushae Hypolite’s pass before turning past Ernest Signor and firing an effort which nestled just inside the top far corner.

Paget coach Antwan Russell was pleased with his side’s finish to the season.

“I told the guys to enjoy their game,” Russell said. “We did well to stay composed when they went down a man.”

Scorers:

Paget Lions: Smith 11, Rawlins 39, Davis 88

TEAMS

Paget Lions (4-2-3-1): T Hall 6 – D Frost 6 (sub: S Lambert, 72min), R Deshields 6, J Carpenter 6, K Simons 6 – B Furbert 6 (sub: N Carpenter, 72), D Joell 6 – S Smith 7 (sub: M Wade, 81), D Hart 6, K Davis 7 (sub: P Castle, 89) – D Rawlins 6 (sub: K Hypolite 72). Substitutes not used: A Russell, O Tucker. Booked: Davis

St George’s (4-3-3): J Hill 5 – A Cannonier 5 (sub: J Bassett, 62 6), P Anderson 6, E Signor 5, A Simons 5 – N Tucker 6 (sub: C Ottley, 62 5), J Salaam 3, K Hall 6 – K Minors 5 (sub: C Burns, 5), J Smith 5, P Simons 5. Substitutes not used: Z Burgess, D Lodge, G Wade. Sent off: Salaam

Referee: A Francis