Pagham suffer double dose of home misery

Action from Pagham's encounter with Arundel / Picture by Roger Smith

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It was a tough week in front of their own fans for Pagham as they fell further behind in the race for Southern Combination premier-division honours.

Saturday saw goals by Asa Nicholson and Harry Russell clinch a 2-1 win for Arundel. Joe Shelley had equalised for the Lions ten minutes into the second half.

Last Wednesday, ten-man Pagham were no match for Peacehaven.

As early as the first minute, Ellis Cowd could have scored for Haven, racing into the area only to shoot just wide of James Binfield’s goal.

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The visitors had to defend desparately as the Lions looked for a quick opener. Connor Wilkins’ deflected shot for the away side was matched at the other end by great work from Pagham’s Lloyd Rowlatt and Callum Overton that allowed Kieron Pamment sight of goal.

The Lions kept the pressure up, but Cowd almost gave Peacehaven the lead, with only Binfield between him and a goal.

Peacehaven keeper Lawrence Sandeo was left stranded on 26 minutes as Scott Murfin hared toward goal, but the chance was spurned.

Bookings were numerous, while a 35th-minute free-kick for the Lions saw a last-ditch clearance deny them.

Overton was thwarted by a fine tackle. There were vain shouts for handball at the end of the half from the Pagham management and supporters.

The second half began with the Lions roaring, a succession of set-pieces giving chance after chance.

On the hour, with Overton sent off for a second booking, Pagham went behind. An awful mix-up at the back allowed Josh Marshall to score an easy goal.

Binfield kept the score down as time and again Peacehaven raided. Rare sorties by the Lions saw a few chances, notably a header from Shelley that Sandeo did well to save.

A scything tackle on James Thurgar by Reilly Grant saw the Peacehaven defender booked.

On came Johan Van Driel and George Cody for the Lions, with Daryl Wollers and Pamment leaving the field.

With the minutes ticking down, Binfield cleared his lines as Curtis Ford motored towards goal.

Pagham: Binfield, Wiggans, Cox, N Murfin, Wollers (Cody 75), Rowlatt, Shelley, Thurgar, Pamment (Van Driel 75), S Murfin, Overton. Subs: Warren, French, Swain, Bingham.

JON ROSE

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