Brading Town bagged a place in the next round of the FA Vase in a close tie at Nyetimber Lane. Carl Stabler’s starting eleven showed some big changes, with Alex Bryant taking over in goal from Wes Hallett, and no place for the absent James Temple, nor the injured Michael Frangou. The visitors could have been in front within five minutes, a free-kick being cleared from the Pagham lines. Andy Weir was proving a marvel for the Lions on the left, and his own free-kick after ten minutes saw the ball sail just over the bar. Scott Murfin’s run and shot after a quarter hour deserved more than being scrambled away. With the Lions playing some great football, their best chance fell on 20 minutes. Scott Murfin was felled in the area, and referee Mr Collins had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Murfin, but his shot was well scrambled away by Gareth True in Brading’s goal. The visitors had won all four of their league games this season, but they were still second best as Pagham pressed forward. The opening goal came from an unlikely source as Daren Pearce forced the ball home from Paul Jones’ ball into the area. With half an hour gone, Pagham were looking to improve on this lead. It was Brading who scored next though, when Jack Morris’ long range effort sailed into the net. The lead was doubled with a minute of the first half left as Josh Appell’s fruitful efforts were rewarded when his sweet shot hit the back of the net.

No changes for either side in the second half, as Pagham continued to pile on the pressure. A shot by Scott Murfin troubled True, whilst Pagham also had a goal disallowed in a controversial move by the referee. Brading found themselves down to ten men after fifty minutes as clup skipper Joe Rayner collected a second caution to leave the visitors light on numbers. This seemed to galvanise them though, and they became the dominant force. Jack Morris shot just over, whilst Will Quigley raced from defence to have a go himself for Brading. Andy Weir could have equalised for Pagham, but his attempt went begging. Goal number three for Brading came with 20 minutes left. Kyle Levrier was allowed to run through on goal, and his superb strike gave Bryant no chance. Bookings came thick and fast, with yellow cards to Steve Boston and Paul Jones for Pagham. As the game moved into its last ten minutes, Pagham scored their second. A ball in from Scott Murfin to George Gaskin saw the latter strike home. Pagham seemed to move up a gear at this point, with Scott Murfin combining well with George Gaskin. This almost provided a third goal with two minutes of normal time left, but the shot went well over the bar. The game ended with Pagham bloodied but not unbowed in a game they could have and should have won in the first half.

Pagham A.Bryant, J.Misslebrook, R.Cox, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, D.Moseby, N.Murfin, S.Murfin, A.Weir, G.Gaskin; S.Boston, G.Robinson, D.Bassill, J.Williamson, W.Hallett