"and Jonah must score!"

Pagham’s prospects look as bright as the sun which shone down on this game as they took their winning streak to nine league games against Three Bridges. A frantic first five minutes saw Paul Jones score his first goal of the season. His stinging shot from the right gaveRob Woodward in the visitor’s goal no chance. Only a minute earlier the Lions could have taken the leade as a ball through from James Temple allowed Scott Murfin to strike a shot which Woodward did well to hold. A noticeably shaky Bridges’ defence was almost breached again in the following minutes as the Lions took the game by the scruff of the net. Ross Woolf, Murfin and Phil Turner all took potshots at an increasingly nervy looking Woodward. The second goal came after twenty two minutes, as Phil Turner’s through ball gave Scott Murfin a the chance to score his 14th of the season. James Temple headed just wide, Murfin shot at Woodward as the chances came thick and fast for the Lions. Three Bridges’ sporadic attacks came through Tim Rivers and Abu, both of whom were striving to get something out of the game for their side. Rivers’ flowing run five minutes before the break ended with his shot being forced away. Alex Ward then tried his luck for the Lions with a header that Woodward did well to tip away for a corner. Two-nil up at the break, Pagham looked to have the game sewn up with forty five minutes still to play.

Three Bridges Keeper Rob Woodward gets in a flap!

The second half saw Three Bridges start much the better, with Abu’s run being curtailed as he was felled just outside the area. Referee Mr Meilack let play continue with Three Bridges fans shouting for a free-kick. Another scare for the visitors three minutes in as Murfin’s shot was fumbled by Woodward. A free-kick awarded just outside the area gave the visitors perhaps their best chance of scoring, but the ball was smashed straight into Tom Broadbent’s face. Pagham physio Colin Mills raced onto the pitch, and his cheetah like reflexes saw Broadbent treated with all speed. Ross Woolf took just too long on the hour mark as his shot was collected by Woodward, but it was the visitors who were looking much the better side still. Elliott Romain twice in quick succession tried to beat Wes Hallett, each time the chance went begging. Abu went on a mazy run, but when clean through his shot was well dealt with by Hallett. Pagham’s third came courtesy of a penalty. Woodward bought down James Temple in the area, inexplicably only collecting a booking and not the expected red card as Mr Meilack awarded a penalty. Up stepped Murfin to make amends as his shot rocketed into the back of the net. A trio of substitutions within three minutes for the Lions saw Matt Wood, Dan Simmonds and Michael Frangou come on as the Lions pressed home their advantage. Simmonds went close with five minutes left, as his shot from close range bounced down from the crossbar and away to safety. Bridges’ sub Scott Faber shot wildly over as the game came to a close with the Lions moving another step closer to Ryman league ambitions.

Pagham; W.Hallet, B.Buckland, T.Broadbent, D.Pearce, A.Ward, P.Jones, P.Turner (Frangou 78), N.Murfin(M.Wood 76), J.Temple (D.Simmonds 80), S.Murfin, R.Woolf; subs not used G.Robinson, J.Booker
Three Bridges;R.Woodward, D.Bates, D.Bates, C.Cooke, E.Hooper, S.Blackwood, J.O’Hare, L.Buchan, E.Romain, T.Rivers, Abu, A.Howard, S.Faber, J.Noakes.