The Lions Roar was silenced on Saturday as the dreams of Wembley were shattered for another year. In truth Guildford were no better or worse than Pagham, but managed to use the ball better when they had it. Pagham went into the game missing the influential Sean Dobbs, but welcomed back both Wes Hallett and Sean Towers to the starting line-up. The early exchanges were very much in Pagham’s favour, and as early as the second minute Rob Wimble tested ‘keeper Joaquin Gindre with a stinging shot just over the bar. Scott Steele cut down the left for Guildford, but his attack was blunted by the Pagham defence. Callum Britton then tried his luck for the Lions, but his shot was charged down. The opening goal, when it came, was an example of Pagham teamwork at it’s best. The lions’ forwards attacked en-masse, and Keiron Urquhart was last to the ball to head home a superb goal.Guildford’s very own SAS in the shape of Steele and Sissons raided the Pagham area time and time again, but couldn’t get the ball into the net. Scott Cammie was ati his best in the Guildford back four when clearing a rare Pagham attack, but still the Lions were holding their own. Given that Guildford were second in the Combined Counties League Premiership and had just won three games on the trot, The Lions weren’t going to find their opponents pushovers. So it would prove when the equaliser came. Dan May appeared to have dived for a Guildford free-kick. Referee Mr Thorne waved away the protests and Sean Towers picked up a yellow card for the tackle which pole-axed May. May then saw yellow as the referee noticed something amiss. Up stepped Scott Steele and his shot scythed its way passed a static Wes Hallett. With less than 10 minutes to go to half time, both sides only managed one further real scoring opportunity. Calum Britton’s left foot shot was just too high whilst Mark Sisson’s run and shot was easily dealt with by Hallett.

Guildford started the second half with a run and shot by Dan May. Pagham started with an injury to Jamie Angell which necessitated gazelle-like speed from Colin Mills who came on to treat the stricken midfielder. Not more than five minutes gone and Pagham could have gone ahead. Good work from Wimble fed Calum Britton, whose shot went just wide. Brett Forden waited until almost the hour mark before his best chance of the second period. His header down was only just collected by Gindre. Action switched to the other end, and Wes Hallett’s athletic leap was the only thing which kept Guildford from taking the lead. Gary Block chose to make changes just after the hour with Brett Forden and Sean Towers making way for Tim Lester and Michael Frangou. Guildford picked up their second booking of the game when Matt Edwards saw yellow for a late challenge on Jamie Angell. The home side’s second goal of the game came when substitute Sam Pothecary’s chemistry allowed him to sneak passed a hesitant Pagham defence to strike home. Rob Mclelland found himself in the unusual position of being booked without playing when gaining a yellow card with some fifteen minutes to go. Referee Mr Thorne obviously found something amiss and cautioned the unlucky substitute keeper. Kerry Hardwell’s appearance at the expense of goalscorer Urquhart meant that Pagham played the last ten minutes of the game having used all their subs. Drama in the last few minutes as first Rob Wimble shot just wide of the upright and then Guildford had a guilt-edged chance to score a third. Tim Lester bought down Pothecary and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitating. Wes Hallett then became a hero as he saved the penalty to end a game which Pagham could have and should have won.