Chichester City just sneaked a win in a pulsating match at Nyetimber Lane. With the Lions looking to regain their roar after the FA Cup loss, they welcomed back Andy Weir and Neil Murfin to the squad, returning from injury. The visitors had much of the early play, Sean Thurgood and Laurence Wall finding time and space to attack from the back. Thurgood’s long range shot was just an early taster for what was to come. Jack Saltergate also found himself clear on goal, but Wes Hallett saved Pagham from an early setback. George Way tested Hallett from range, but shot well over as the away side camped in Pagham’s half. The Lions suddenly found some impetus in the latter stages, as James Ford did well to clear a Pagham attack. This was followed up with a superb Scott Murfin shot that took a lucky rebound out to safety. The Murfins then combined as a great ball from Scott to Neil saw the latter set up a scoring chance for the Lions. Again the play swung back to the visitors, Thurgood’s free-kick forcing a great save from Hallett. The First half ended with a stinging free-kick which Scott Murfin fired straight at Lloyd Patilla in the Chichester goal.

Chichester started the second half much as the first, Graeme Gillman testing Wes Hallett. Joe Briggs then could have celebrated his birthday with a goal, but contrived to shoot well over. Pagham opened the scoring just after the hour as George Gaskin struck from outside the area. Scott Murfin nearly doubled the lead when his shot snaked wide a few minutes later. Pagham’s lead lasted all of ten minutes before Gillman’s low shot from the left eluded Wes Hallett. Pagham fought back, with a well struck free-kick pinging into the side netting. Chichester’s second goal was shrouded in controversy. George Way, who’d been a nuisance to Pagham all game, was bought down in the area, and referee Mr Austin had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Way himself took the penalty, with Hallett saving. Elation turned to deflation as Chichester sub Nathan Paxton turned in the rebounded shot. George Gaskin could have equalised, but his shot pinged into the side netting. Last action of the game saw Michael Frangou strike a shot well over and a superb solo run from Josh Case that saw him shoot narrowly over Wes Hallett’s goal.

Pagham; W.Hallett, J.Misslebrook, R.Cox, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, N.Murfin, S.Boston, M.Frangou, S.Murfin, G.Gaskin; G.Robinson, D.Mosbey, D.Basill, A.Kew, J.Williamson

Chichester City; L.Patilla, L.Wall, J.Ford, S.Thurgood, T.Chapman, T.Broadbent, G.Way, J.Saltergate, G.Gilman, C.Cutler, J.Briggs; N.Paxton, D.Smith, L.Burney, J.Base, J.Searle