Two games, ten goals, but very different results for the firsts and reserves on Saturday. Carl Stabler’s first team went to Hailsham Town knowing that three points would ensure they kept up their challenge at the top of the table. Luke Cooper’s reserves were looking to build on their recent good form which had seen them win their previous six games, moving them into second spot in the Reserve League Premier Division.
Pagham’s firsts visited Hailsham looking to get another win in preparation for the visit of Ryman League Worthing on Tuesday. Taking the lead through a free-kick, Pagham were knocked back as an equaliser followed. They restored their lead shortly before half time, as a well taken penalty saw them go 2-1 up. The third went in as Pagham started much the better side in the second half, only for a penalty miss to dent their play a little. Hailsham’s second set up a tense finish as the ball was pinged over the line in a melee of players. Carl Stabler will not have long to wait to meet his nemesis, as Hailsham visit Nyetimber Lane a week on Saturday.
The reserves were unlucky to lose in extra time as fourth placed Mile Oak avenged the 3-2 league defeat from back in October. The visitors went 1-0 up in the twelvth minute, a free-kick eluding James Leahy. Pagham fought back, with Anders Wyatt and Dan Simmonds looking impressive up front. It was Simmonds who got the equaliser, capitalising on some great work from Wyatt to add to his goal tally for the season. Mile Oak then snatched back the lead with a well taken strike. Simmonds struck again early in the second half, a classy header giving the goalkeeper no chance to leave the sides equal. Mile Oak went down to ten men as referee Mr Sumner capped an idiosyncratic afternoon by awarding a straight red card for a deliberate handball. This didn’t handicap the visitors as they were quicker to the ball, hacking it away at every opportunity, looking to take the game into extra time. This came and went in a blur, with the winner coming from a well paced move half way through the first period