Great Scott strikes at the double as Pagham sink Hailsham

Thanks to the mysteries of the fixture list, it meant the Lions did the double in double-quick time following the 3-2 win at Hailsham only a week earlier.

Starting with Greg Robinson replacing Ryan Cox, and Matt Wood called up by the Rocks, the Lions looked threatening from the off.

Ross Woolf was immense on the wing and Neil Murfin belied his long injury lay-off with a tremendous game in midfield.

The assist for the first goal could legitimately be given to Wes Hallett. His huge clearance was collected by Scott Murfin, whose shot gave Russell Tanner no chance.

Five minutes later, the lead was doubled. Great approach work from Justin Gregory and Neil Murfin let in James Temple, who made no mistake with an acrobatic looping shot.

It could have been three on the half-hour, but Tanner made an amazing save from Scott Murfin.

Three minutes later, Scott Murfin scored again and Mark Galt picked up a booking for complaining to the referee, something that characterised Hailsham’s approach.

Just on half-time, the Lions could have gone further ahead. A free-kick just outside the area after Scott Murfin was tripped by Mark Godwin was smacked against the wall and away to safety.

Two minutes into the second half, Mark French shot narrowly wide of the upright then Galt shot wide.

An effort from Scott Murfin went wide and Temple headed straight at Russell Tanner. Jamie Salvidge tried his luck from long range, his shot going well over.

With a quarter-hour to go, Hailsham got the goal their efforts deserved. A horrible mix-up in the Pagham defence allowed Shane Saunders time to strike past an unhappy Hallett.

Back came Pagham, with a cross from Woolf that Gregory hit wide.

At the other end, Salvidge twisted and turned in Pagham’s area but his shot was deflected by Ashley Jarvis.

There was a scare for the Lions as Gregory needed treatment from physio Colin Mills.

Paul Jones ended a busy game with a booking as the Pagham centre-back handled the ball.

In the dying moments, Alex Kew was unlucky when his fine run was curtailed for offside.

PAGHAM: Hallett, Hinshelwood, Robinson, Pearce, Jones, Booker, Woolf, N Murfin, Temple, S Murfin, Gregory. Subs: Williamson, Cox, Kew, Marshall, Price.

JON ROSE