The Lions clawed their way back from 1-0 down to trounce Lingfield in the first round of the RUR cup. As early as the first minute Danny Jones was through for Lingfield, but his wayward shooting was to prove the rule during the rest of the game. He caused problems, but never quite hit the mark. The scoring was opened in unfortunate circumstances for Pagham. A ball which was meant to be headed behind by Sean Dobbs instead eluded a furious Wes Hallett and into the empty net. With Pagham’s passing looking a little disjointed, a succession of free-kicks seemed to be their only route to goal. Rob Wimble was through on more than one occasion, and Calum Britton was looking lively with support from Brett Forden. The final ball just seemed to go awry as the Lions tried to find an opening. With Keiron Urquhart and Chris Heller putting in some well-timed tackles, Lingfield were struggling to get a foot-hold. When Lingfield ‘keeper Wakefield was hesitant on the ball, he almost gift-wrapped a chance to Rob Wimble just on the quarter hour, the latter having run and shot with some style. A well-taken free kick did indeed prove to be Pagham’s route to an equaliser. Jamie Angell gave the ball wings as it sailed unopposed into the Lingfield net to rapturous applause from the travelling fans. A trio of high, wide and horrible shooting chances followed for Jones as Lingfield looked to take the lead. Sean Towers had to be at his best to head away a corner, and Pagham went on the attack. Wimble was unlucky to see his shot on the turn saved by Wakefield, and it was the Lingfield keeper who was becoming the hero for the home team. A succession of saves meant the sides went in at half time all square.

No substitutions at the start of the second half, with Rob Wimble providing the first attacking move. Managing to skin his marker his run and shot was again denied by Wakefield. Calum Britton then sprinted through only to see Wakefield waiting to collect the ball. Ashley Hunter also tried his luck from range, his shot going just over. The lead was taken with a superb goal by Chris Heller. Striking low and hard from range, the ball sped into the empty net evading defence and ‘keeper. With only 10 minutes of the second half gone, Pagham could have gone 3-1 up when a challenge on Rob Wimble by Chris Arrow resulted in a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Up stepped Ashley Hunter, only to see his shot drift just wide. The play then degenerated into a series of free-kick’s prior to Pagham’s third goal. Good Pagham team-work gave time and space to Brett Forden in the Lingfield area. His header down was out of reach of Wakefield and the Lions could now smell victory. Brett Forden turned provider when supplying the ball that allowed Calum Britton to strike home his sixth goal of the season. With the job almost done, Gary Block chose to make a triple substitution. Off came Sean Towers, Keiron Urquhart and Rob Wimble. On came Kerry Hardwell, Andy Cox and making his debut for Pagham, Lee Bradshaw. Cox was instrumental in Pagham almost scoring a fifth as his pin-point cross in managed to elude the waiting Pagham strikeforce. The game finished as Kerry Hardwell’s industry down the right combined with Andy Cox’s positioning almost saw the Lions score again.