Murfs says "Have it !" to the Hillians

Pagham roared to life as a less-than-impressive Ryman League Burgess Hill were taken apart at Nyetimber Lane. With Carl Stabler away watching future Pagham opponents, he would have been pleased with how the team performed in his absence. Burgess Hill were also missing their manager, with mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Gary Croydon. By the end of the game, Hillians’ fans may have been wondering if the whole team had disappeared for ninety minutes. Taking the lead as early as the 5th minute, Danny Simmonds opener for Pagham was just deserts for skillful play in the area. The lead lasted all of four minutes as Burgess Hill hit back with a free header which James Binfield was helpless to stop. The young Pagham keeper then redeemed himself with a stunning double save to deny the away side. The visitors then settled into a period of dominance, with the ball struck against the bar from long range after a quarter hour. Ross Woolf was playing a blinder for Pagham, and twice in succession he could have regained the lead for the Lions. Half an hour gone and panic in Pagham’s area, but the ball was eventually cleared away. Alex Ward shot narrowly wide before a Burgess Hill strike just off target bought the half to a close.

Dan Simmonds scores yet another classy goal

No changes at half time, but Burgess Hill were quickest out of the traps, having two shots go wide and high, then hitting the post within quick succession. A scuffed shot from a Hillians’ corner saw the ball go harmlessly wide before Pagham scored their second. Matt Wood’s strike gave the keeper no chance as Pagham began to turn the screw on an increasingly ordinary Burgess Hill side. His reward was to be taken off for a rest, along with Ben Buckland and Tom Broadbent as Pagham rang the changes. With nearly twenty minutes left, Pagham scored their third, Simmonds getting his second of the game. Taking advantage of a superb ball in from Woolf, Simmonds smacked the ball home. Burgess Hill hit the bar again from range, and had a shot cleared off the line, but it was still Pagham who were the better side. Scott Murfin raced through on goal, forcing a fingertip save from the keeper. Phil Turner then saw a low shot go wide, before Murfin scored a tremendous solo goal to finish Burgess Hill off. Just time for Anders Wyatt to shoot over the bar before the whistle went on a superb display from Pagham.

Pagham(From); J.Binfield, J.Booker, S.Hinshelwood, D.Pearce, A.Ward, R.Woolf, M.Wood, T.Broadbent, D.Simmonds, B.Buckland, G.Robinson, S.Murfin,G.Robinson, P.Turner, J.Tribe, A.Wyatt, S.Devine