Wolfie 1 Ringmer 0 !

Rewind a year, and Pagham won the corresponding fixture 4-1 early on last season. With the sides level at 0-0 come half time in this match, there didn't look like any chance of their being a repeat. However, Ross Woolf and Scott Murfin ensured that the Lions snatched a victory they deserved. With the thinking before the game that a clean sheet was the most important result today, Scott Murfin started for the Lions ploughing a lone furrow up front in what appeared to be a 4-5-1 formation. Able support from Ross Woolf and Phil Turner meant the Lions shaded the early stages. In a start littered with free-kicks neither side were able to carve an opening, although Joe Dryer was looking lively for the visitors. A timely header from Jayson Souter for Ringmer stopped Pagham getting the opening goal just after the quarter hour, with Pip Turner being the unlucky striker. Andy Mott’s run into the area for Ringer came to naught, as did a shot from James Bentley who’s shot sailed well over James Binfield’s bar. A weak shot from Leighton Freeman was no more than a token gesture, whilst Dryer’s free-kick also went high, wide and horrible. Bob Munnery decided to make a change with five minutes to go, the massive presence of Kiefer Arden-Webb providing fresh impetus to Ringmer’s front line. Perhaps the save of the game from Pagham ‘keeper Binfield with two minutes left, a stinging shot from Kiran Patel superbly turned wide by Binfield. Pagham’s Scott Murfin’s last gasp shot was charged down, with Alex Ward driving the follow-up wide.

Ringmer hit back...

No changes in the second half, with Joe Booker having to be on his toes to head out a shot from Patel, whilst Ringmer ‘keeper Gary Trott was given the run-around by Matt Wood and Pip Turner. The first goal of the game came with fifty one minutes gone, Ross Woolf striking hope to open Pagham’s, and his, account for the league season. Ringmer struck back almost immediately, Kiran Patel’s free-kick being struck just wide. Ringmer came close to equalising a few minutes later as Pagham’s defence were stretched by a clearance from Binfield that met the boot of a Ringmer player. Daren Pearce was on hand to head the ball off the line as Joe Booker fell heavily under a challenge. He continued after the magic sponge used with gazelle like grace by Colin Mills. Two more chances for Pagham as the hour approached, Woolf and Pip Turner both testing Trott. On came James Temple for Pagham, and he made an almost immediate impression, forcing a corner for Pagham from virtually his first attack. The visitors started to tire, with Dryer’s shot on seventy being less than scorching. He made amends three minutes later with the goal of the game, a superb strike from the left that gave Binfield no chance. Gary Trott’s save from Scott Murfin was the second great save by a keeper in the game, denying Pagham’s goal machine with some ease. Murfin wasn’t be left out for long though, his goal from the right with ten minutes to go being an example to anyone watching. A right-sided shot evaded Trott to give the Lions the lead. Dryer protested, and found himself in refree Mr Mallows’ book. Jayson Souter followed a high and wide shot with a booking as his tackle on Pearce was as clumsy as his shot had been. A third booking for Ringmer in quick succession as Mark Price saw yellow for dissent. Keifer Arden-Brown muscled his way into the area with a couple of minutes left, but his header drifted wide of the upright. What looked like a hamstring injury ended Scott Murfin’s game with a minute or so left of normal time. On came Dan Simmonds who made a nuisance of himself without scoring as the game ended in a first win of the season for the Lions.

Pagham; J.Binfield, B.Buckland, T.Broadbent, D.Pearce, J.Booker, M.Wood, P.Turner, A.Ward, R.Woolf, S.Murfin, S.Hinshelwood; J.Temple, P.Jones, D.Simmonds, G.Robinson, R.Cox

Ringmer;Ringmer; G.Trott, A.Mott, R.Milan, M.Price, J.Souter, R.McMillan, L.Freeman, D.Davis, J.Dryer, K.Patel, J.Bentley; L.Brown, K.Arden-Webb,