Scott Murfin roars into the Rocks

A double strike from Terry Dodd was just about enough to beat a spirited Lions on a night of tremendous football. With Carl Stabler giving chances to some of his youngsters following a spate of injuries from Saturday's game, it gave the sizeable crowd a glimpse of some of the Lions promising youth players. Bognor themselves were looking to make amends for the 3-1 home loss to Crawley Town, Darin Kilpartrick bringing a full squad to Nyetimber Lane. Ross Woolf found an opening for the home side as early as the second minute, only to see his cross cleared by Michael Birmingham, allowing Terry Dodd to go running toward the Pagham goal. Three minutes later, Dodd scored the first goal of the game. Again coming from a Birmingham through ball, Wes Hallett in Pagham's goal could do nothing about the classy strike. In an end to end match, it was the Lions' Scott Murfin who had the next chance, following good work on the left by Ross Woolf. Murfin's strike went over, but the game was still anyone's at this stage. Jack Blatchford ran forward from Bognor's defence to hit a fierce shot, but the ball went sailing harmlessly over Wes Hallett's goal. Hearts-in-mouth time for the Pagham fans on the quarter hour, as Wes Hallett engaged in a bit of “rush goalie”, taking the ball out of defence and clearing from a free-kick. Blatchford again tried his luck from range, shooting over twice in quick succession, then Alex Baldechinno shot at goal as Bognor laid siege to the Lions area. The ball eventually found its way to Pagham’s forwards, and Scott Murfin was unlucky to run into the towering presence of Duncan Jupp as the diminutive Pagham striker homed in on goal. Dan Simmonds came on for Pagham, and looked lively up front, hoping to add to the hat-full of goals he’d scored last season. He’d been on the pitch not three minutes when he collected the ball from Matt Wood, shot and saw the ball go narrowly over the bar.

Ross Woolf holds off Duncan Jupp's challenge

The second half began with a change for Pagham as Ryan Cox came on for the industrious Greg Robinson. Another, enforced change for the Lions with fifty minutes gone as Wes Hallett left the pitch with a knock. On came James Benfield,taking over the gloves to give the 16 year old his first team debut. The Rocks sensed that with a new keeper on they could shoot at will, and sure enough Dan Beck then Terry Dodd tested the young goalie. Dodd’s strike resulted in the second goal, a strike that Benfield could do nothing about. The Lions weren’t finished though as they hit back with Charlie Marshall, Dan Simmonds and Scott Murfin all showing moves which could easily have resulted in goals. Samid Gashi came on for the Lions with the memory of the double strike against Moneyfields fresh in his mind. James Binfield had to be at his best as Dodd looked to get his hat-trick. The Pagham ‘keeper was equal to the task, much to the ex-Worthing striker’s disappointment. Dodd himself left the pitch on 83 minutes to warm applause from round the ground, his work done for the night. The last meaningful action saw Binfield foil yet another Bognor attack.

Pagham; W.Hallett, B.Buckland, G.Robinson, D.Pearce, J.Booker, J.Tribe, C.Marshall, M.Wood, M.Frangou, S.Murfin, R.Woolf; R.Cox, D.Simmonds, S.Gashi, S.Devine, J.Binfield

Bognor; C.Stoner, J.Marzetti, M.Whitehead, J.Blatchford, D.Jupp, T.Bond, L.Castles, M.Birmingham, T.Dodd, A.Baldachinno, D.Beck; D.Woollers, L.Edwards, T.Pointin, D.Kilpartrick.