FA CUP: Lions bow out despite brave effort

They lost 3-0 at Carshalton after taking their Ryman premier opponents to a replay.

Lions boss John Price said: “We went and had a go - we didn’t go out with a whimper. And we can be proud of making a team who play two divisions above us wait 130 minutes before scoring a goal against us.”

After Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Nyetimber Lane, Pagham travelled to Surrey in good heart but knowing their hosts were firm favourites.

The Lions held their own for more than half an hour but conceded two goals in five minutes shortly before half-time to leave themselves with an uphill battle.

They still made Carshalton work hard to complete the victory, which the home team sealed with a third goal. Carshalton were not unduly affected by having a man sent off.

James Temple and Howard Neighbour both had good chances for Pagham as the second half wore on.

Price said: “We played ever so well for the first half-hour but we had a ropey five minutes before half-time which cost us.

“We pushed on in the second half and gave as good as we got.

“Over the two games, the lads’ work-rate and understanding of what we were setting them up to achieve was outstanding.

“We can take a lot from the two games. We got a lot of plaudits from the Carshalton people and we must use what we have learned from these games over the rest of the season.”

The Lions switch knockout competitions on Saturday, when they entertain Chichester City in the FA Vase at Nyetimber Lane.

Their Cup defeat leaves Bognor as the only Observer-area team in the competition. They face a tough trip to Maidenhead of Conference South in the second qualifying round on Saturday week.

PAGHAM: Binfield, Buckland (Hawker), Ford (Broadbent), Pearce, Jones, Booker, Briggs (Cox), N Murfin, Temple, Neighbour, Cutler. Subs not used: S Murfin, Smallpiece.

* Get all the FA Cup action, and the rest of the local football, in the Observer - out on Thursday.

STEVE BONE