Chichester’s recent revival continued as they snatched a last gasp equaliser to deny the Lions at Nyetimber. The Lions dominated from the off, with a duo of chances within the opening two minutes. Chichester fought back, with Dean Reed clean through, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Phil Turner’s run and shot was foiled by an offside flag, with Chichester Keeper Matt Short lucky to stay on the pitch just shy of the half hour. His run from his area saw him inexplicably handle the ball. Referee Mr Massey took his time before issuing a yellow card. Pagham’s opening goal came from the resultant free-kick with the ball being fed to Scott Murfin who, with a combination of head and shoulder bundled the ball passed Short. This heralded a period of pressure from the Lions, James Temple and Scott Murfin both having chances to increase the lead. Closest though was Howard Neighbour. The ex-Arundel midfielder struck a sweet free-kick which cannoned off the bar just before the half time whistle.

Very much as you were for the start of the second half, with Phil Turner making inroads for the Lions, and Jack James picking up a booking for Chichester. The visitors edged their way back into the game though, with Ben Vassallo looking the part up front. Louis Edwards capitalised on some Pagham defensive frailty to surge forward, only for his shot to be bundled away. Matt Wood was the next to see yellow, harshly judged following an innocuous challenge on Steve Cotton. The Lions had the ball in the net on 65 minutes, only for the offside flag to rob them of a goal they just about deserved. The game started to peter out, only enlivened by the booking for Pagham’s Phil Turner which caused the sizeable crowd to noisily berate the referee. Twenty minutes to go and Howard Neighbour’s involvement in the game ended as Dan Simmonds came on. Simmonds had been on the pitch less than two minutes before he could have added to the score, his cross-field ball eluding every other player in the area. James Temple also went close, as did Harry Bass for the home side. Deep into injury time a goal direct from a corner gave Chichester a point that in the end their performance merited.

W.Hallett, B.Buckland, T.Broadbent, D.Pearce, J.Booker, N.Murfin, H.Neighbour(D.Simmonds 81), M.Wood, J.Temple, S.Murfin, P.Turner; subs not used; J.Binfield, K.Urquhart, M.Frangou, R.Cox, G.Robinson
Chichester City; ; M.Short, MCarrington, S.Jordan, S.Portas, H.Bass, P.Archibald, J.James, D.Mait, D.Reed, B.Vassallo, Louis Edwards; W.Johnson, R.Brown, R.Wallis, S.Cotton, B.McDuffie