Five F A Cup finishes dumped Pagham out of this season’s premier domestic competition. Notwithstanding the continued absence of Rob Wimble, the Lions didn’t always look as toothless as the score-line suggests. The game began with chances at either end – a good run by Lewis Hamilton caused momentary panic in Hythe’s defence before the ball was shunted to Michael Smissen. He was adjudged offside, thankfully for the watching home crowd. Pagham were looking quick on the break, especially down the left, whilst Hythe made most inroads on the opposite side of the pitch. The first goal came with nearly 20 minutes gone as a free-kick awarded by referee Mr Dine was despatched into the Pagham area. Disturbed by a booking to Ashley Hunter, and unable to clear the lines, Pagham allowed Pat Kingwell time and space to hit a super ball into the net. The officials were becoming the main focus of the game as a succession of free-kicks was awarded to either side. The second booking of the game went to goal-scorer Kingwell as he chopped down Ash Hunter. Pagham’s equaliser arrived a few minutes before half time. A shot was well parried onto the post by Hythe ‘keeper Paul Hyde, and out for a corner. In came the ball, and Michael Frangou was on hand to despatch a deserved leveller.

No substitutions at half time, with both sides looking to gain an early advantage. Michael Frangou had a shot rebound off the post before Pagham found themselves the wrong side of the referee. Firstly Ashley Hunter found himself facing an early bath following a second yellow card and then substitute ‘keeper Rob McLelland was sent off from the bench. The resultant free-kick, taken by Dale Skelton was well dealt with by Wes Hallett as he put the ball passed the post. The same Hythe player scored the second goal on the hour mark, making light of some slack marking to strike home from the left. Pagham made an enforced change after this as Sean Towers went off injured to be replaced by Lee Bradshaw. Dave Cook made things hot for Pagham with a shot from the left, but it was to be Hythe skipper Gavin Ransley who scored their third. Again loose marking was evident as Ransley had time and space to place his attempt wide of Wes Hallett. By now there were only twenty minutes of the game left, and Hythe took only another three minutes to score their fourth. Lee Winfield rifled in a shot that gave Hallett no chance. Then followed a flurry of substitutions on both sides, with one of these, Craig Southen making the most of a ball in from a corner. His shot nestled in the back of the net to virtually finish off an otherwise decent Pagham team. Neither side could score again, leaving the Lions looking forward to an F A Vase tie at Badshot Lea as their next hope of sighting Wembley Way.

Pagham; W.Hallett, T.Lester, A.Hunter, B.Chatfield, S.Towers, D.Martin, L.Hamilton. D.Peach, B.Forden, M.Frangou, M.Wood; A.Cox, K.Urquhart, L.Haga-Hammond, L.Bradshaw, D.Cowton, J.Angell, R.McLelland
Hythe Town; P.Hyde, J.Brazier, J.Walker, S.Marsh, G.Ransley, D.Skelton, D.Cook, J.Hitchins, M.Smissen, P.Kingwell, L.Winfield; B.Sly, G.Mickelborough, C.Southen, J.Neilson, T.Adlington, N.Shaw