Pagham’s interest in the FA Cup ended in a game almost totally devoid of interest itself. Under the handicap of missing three of the team who thrashed Arundel in midweek, and in the absence of Carl Stabler, the Lions were onto a loser from the start. With Faversham having won the Kent League last year, and now a fully fledged Ryman League South outfit, Pagham were the underdogs, but as the game went on, it was hard to tell who were the higher placed side.

The home side could have gone 2-0 up within the first five minutes, but a Daren Pearce goal-line clearance and an acrobatic save from Wes Hallett saved Pagham’s blushes. Dane Luchford was a threat down the wing for Faversham, keeping Pagham’s rearguard on their toes. With the towering Paul Jones making his Lions debut, the former Gosport Borough player was instrumental in keeping Faversham at bay for as long as they did. They didn’t have it all their own way though, with Frangou going very close on twenty four minutes, his shot being well saved by home ‘keeper Rob French. Danny Lye tried his luck at the other end some minutes later, but his strike went lamentably wide. Scott Murfin’s shot following Pagham pressure again bought the best out of French. Ryan Cox headed just over from a superb James Misslebrook cross. Given the spoiling tactics of the home side, and Pagham’s contentment to soak up pressure and attack on the break, the amount of goal chances were surprising. Just as Pagham thought they’d survived unscathed in the first half, a ball from the left was smacked home by Luchford to give Faversham the lead as the teams went in for the break.

Within a minute of the re-start, French was again in action, saving well following a Pagham corner. Michael Frangou showed some defensive skill when clearing from a corner at the other end three minutes into the half. Faversham’s second goal came more from their long-ball tactics than anything. The ball came to Danny Lye, and his header eluded Wes Hallett to give them a two goal lead which wasn’t entirely deserved. They followed this up by hitting the bar from range, before Luchford managed to striker well over from distance. With little more than an hour gone, a double substitution for the Lions saw youngsters Alex Kew and Jack Williamson come on for Greg Robinson and Steve Boston. Richard Avery’s top draw shot on sixty four minutes capped a performance that would earn him man of the match for Faversham. The shot may not have ended in a goal, but his contribution throughout the game was valuable for Faversham. Paul Jones tested French with a header, before both Murfin and Kew shot wide of the mark. Both Frangou and Murfin ganged up on the Faversham ‘keeper with fivteen minutes left. Only a tremendous save from French stopped Pagham from getting back into the game. Pagham were now mounting a sustained period of pressure, with Williamson and Kew both looking lively. Matt Bourne headed just wide for the home side with the game all but at an end, to finish of Pagham’s hopes of FA Cup glory for another year.

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