Pagham’s recent good run continued as they thrashed struggling Lingfield 5-2 in a thrilling game.With Scott Murfin missing through suspension, and still no Michael Frangou through injury, Pagham had James Temple and George Gaskin leading the line. The Lions opened the scoring within the first two minutes as ball in from the left was steered home by Paul Jones to give him his first goal for the Lions. Ricard Monan could have got the visitors equal a few minutes later, but his shot went across Alex Bryant’s goal. Monan was proving a threat for Lingfield, with Bryant having to be on his toes to save more than once from the pacey striker. Pagham’s second goal also involved Paul Jones. His ball to James Temple allowed the latter to thrash the ball passed a despondant Joe White. This signalled a period of sustained pressure from the Lions, with Dan Moseby and James Temple both having chances to increase a deserved lead. If it wasn’t for White in Lingfield’s goal, the visitors could have been dead and buried long before Pagham’s third goal. Dan Moseby provided the strike which tripled the lead. He was given acres of space as he scored what looked to be an easy goal. Back came Lingfield, with Monan again testing Bryant, forcing a tremendous save from the Lions’ Keeper. When a corner was swung in for Pagham after 39 minutes, it ended with Pagham’s fourth goal from a fourth different scorer on the day. This time it was a majestic header from Joe Booker that triggered the Pagham fans cheers. Just as everyone was looking forward to a half time cup of something warm & a chance to get out of the rain, Lingfield scored with Kanan striking home.

No changes at half time, but Lingfield were fastest out of the traps. Aaron Courtney’s run and shot caught Pagham cold and the visitors sniffed a come-back with only a minute of the second half gone. Ryan Cox shot wide for Pagham, and Bryant had to be at his best to kill off a Lingfield free-kick. James Temple thought he’d got his second and Pagham’s fifth just on the hour, but the goal was ruled out for off-side. Further disappointment for Pagham saw Neil Murfin’s fine display in the game curtailed with what looked like an aductor muscle injury. He left the field to well deserved applause from home and away fans alike. On came promising youngster Alex Kew who was immediately in the thick of the action. Lawson went close for Lingfield, but it was Pagham who scored next. George Gaskin scored a superb goal to top another convincing display. James Temple then went on a solo campaign against White in the Lingfield goal, three times being denied by the busy Lingfield keeper. Probably the most pointless booking of the game came when the visiting fans’ shouts for time-wasting were heeded by referee Mr Baker, and James Misslebrook saw yellow for apparently taking too long at a throw-in. Dan Simmonds came on for Pagham, whilst Lingfield were temporarily down to ten men due to a mix up on the team-sheet they handed in before the game. Unable to make a substitution as wanted, the visitors had to carry on until an alternative named sub finally entered the fray. Joe Booker found himself booked after a late, rather than malicious tackle on Courtney. The resultant free-kick sailed over the bar to sum up Lingfield’s luckless afternoon. The dying minutes of the game saw a booking against Lingfield, and a speculative shot across goal from James Temple.

Pagham; A.Bryant, J.Misslebrook, R.Cox, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, S.Boston, N.Murfin, J.Temple, G.Gaskin, D.Moseby; A.Kew, W.Hallett, A.Wier, D.Simmonds