Pagham punished by Little Common's late show

Pagham were undone by a last 15 minutes in which they just couldn’t get out of their own half, pinned back as they were by a flying Little Common side who just kept pushing forward and ended up 4-1 winners.
By Paul Davidson
Published 15th Mar 2020, 18:05 BST
Updated 15th Mar 2020, 18:06 BST
Action from Pagham v Little Common / Picture: Roger SmithAction from Pagham v Little Common / Picture: Roger Smith
Action from Pagham v Little Common / Picture: Roger Smith

It all started promisingly for the Lions, going one up through Callum Chalmers in the 22nd minute, flicking the ball into the open net as Lukas Franzen-Jones, showing great determination, chased a ball that he had no right to get, went round the keeper and crossed into the middle.

There had already been some early Common pressure, and Pagham keeper Tom Crook was forced into a flying save as early as the fourth minute, but the Lions rode the storm out and began pushing forward to some effect.

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Crook again came to the Lions' rescue four minutes after the goal with another excellent save and then, at the other end, Toby Funnell saw his shot hit the post from a 30-yard free-kick.

Pagham celebrate a goal v Little Common / Picture: Roger SmithPagham celebrate a goal v Little Common / Picture: Roger Smith
Pagham celebrate a goal v Little Common / Picture: Roger Smith

In the 33rd minute the game was level as Sam Cruttwell received the ball from a senselessly given-away free-kick on the left and with everyone expecting a cross, he cleverly chipped the ball over Crook and into the net.

It was Pagham’s turn to press from the start of the second half, but despite good work up front by Chalmers and Franzen-Jones, they could not make any real chances. Crook was once again in action, making two one-on-one saves and Nathan da Costa had to head off his line, but Pagham didn’t seem to realise the danger and kept on giving the ball away.

Despite having a goal disallowed for offside, the Lions kept giving the advantage to Little Common and were made to pay after 76 minutes, when Cruttwell scored once again, this time from a scorching free-kick from the edge of the box, again needlessly given away.

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Conor Geoghegan then cleared off his own-line as the away side started to run riot. But the Common were not done yet and Jamie Crone rubbed salt into the wound with two late goals to put the icing on the cake for the away side. There is more work to be done if Pagham are to not slip further back down the table.

Action from Pagham v Little Common / Picture: Roger SmithAction from Pagham v Little Common / Picture: Roger Smith
Action from Pagham v Little Common / Picture: Roger Smith

If the SCFL programme continues in these times when so much sport is being called off because of the spread of coronavirus, Pagham will travel to Newhaven next Saturday.

Pagham: Matthews, da Costa, Searle (Prisk), Clarke, Geoghegan, Jelley, Heryet (Carroll), Howard, Franzen-Jones (Miller), Chalmers, Funnell. Subs not used: Slaughter, Hallett.