As the Lions of England were thrashing the dragons of Wales, Pagham’s own Lions won against a Hailsham side that could have left with a point after a battling second half display. Thanks to the mysteries of the fixture list, the Lions did the double in double quick time following the 3-2 win away only a week ago. Three-nil up at half time following a brace from Scott Murfin and a cracker from James Temple, the home side should have been cruising...

Starting with Greg Robinson replacing Ryan Cox, and Matt Wood absent through his commitment to the Rocks, the lions looked threatening from the off. Scott Woolf was immense on the wing, and Neil Murfin belied his long injury lay-off with a tremendous game in midfield. The assist for the first goal could legitimately be given to Wes Hallett. His huge clearance was collected by Scott Murfin, whose shot gave Russell Tanner no chance. Only five minutes later and the lead was doubled. Great approach work from Justin Gregory and Neil Murfin let in James Temple who made no mistake with an acrobatic looping shot. It could have been three on the half hour, but Tanner’s amazing save from Scott Murfin ensured just the two goals. Until three minutes later that is. Scott Murfin scored again, and Mark Galt picked up a booking for whingeing to the referee, something that characterised Hailsham’s approach in this, and last week’s game. Just on half time, and the Lions could have gone further ahead. A free-kick just outside the area after Scott Murfin was tripped by Mark Godwin saw the resultant dead-ball smacked against the defensive wall and away to safety.

The second half started much more promisingly for the visitors. As early as two minutes in Mark French shot narrowly wide of Wes Hallet’s upright before Galt then tested the fences behind the goal with a shot wide. Keen to get in on the act, Mark Godwin then tested a fence panel with a fierce shot wide of the mark. Pagham seemed subdued, a shot from Scott Murfin going wide, and Temple heading straight at Russell Tanner. Jamie Salvage tried his luck from range, his shot going well over the bar. A defensive slip salvaged another chance for the same player, but his final shot was abysmal. With a quarter hour to go, Hailsham got the goal their efforts deserved. A horrible mix-up in the Pagham defence allowed Shane Saunders time and space to strike the ball passed a less than happy Wes Hallett. Back came Pagham, with a cross from Woolf that Gregory hit just wide of the goal. Play moved to the other end of the pitch, Salvage twisting and turning in Pagham’s area, but his shot was deflected by team-mate Ashley Jarvis. A scare for the Lions with ten minutes to go as Justin Gregory needed treatment from Pagham’s gazelle-like physio Colin Mills. Salvage again tried his luck, with his shot being ably caught by Wes Hallett. Paul Jones capped a busy game with a booking as the Pagham centre-back was caught deliberately handling the ball. A flurry of Pagham substitutions to run the clock down as the game ended with Alex Kew unlucky when his fine run was curtailed for off-side.

Pagham; W.Hallett, S.Hinshelwood, G.Robinson, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, R.Woolf, N.Murfin, J.Temple, S.Murfin, J.Gregory; J.Williamson, R.Cox, A.Kew, C.Marshall, J.Price