A stunning second half fightback ensured Pagham kept their unbeaten record at the start of the season. With Dan Martin missing, Gary Block again juggled the side, with Louis Haga-Hammond moving into the starting line-up. As things would turn out, this was an inspired change. East Preston did start much the stronger, as Sonny Banks dovetailed well with Phil Churchill. Ashley Hunter was at his best to repel any threat these two might have had. Then Pagham moved up a gear with Michael Frangou doing his best to take on East Preston by himself. He was ably supported by Lewis Hamilton, with the pacy winger supplying some excellent crosses into the box. Doug Peach got in on the act with a looping shot that Dean Fuller only just saved for East Preston. More than once the East Preston defence showed signs of panic, none more so when Michael Frangou had a superb shot saved after half an hour.It was the visitors who scored the opening goal however. Referee Mr Thompson awarded them a free-kick on the left hand side of the field, and Dan Swain made no mistake with a sublime long range shot that Wes Hallett could do nothing about. The away side then sniffed victory as they peppered Wes HAllet’s goal with shots, all well dealt with by the Pagham ‘keeper. The first half ended with a tremendous double save from Hallett.

The second half started with Pagham looking a much more potent force. Matt Wood scored the equaliser with a tremendous header following a pin-point cross from Tim Lester. With just ten minutes of the second half gone, Wood could have scored again with a shot that whistled passed the left hand upright. Next up to score was Micheal Frangou on the hour. A long range shot on the left took everyone by surprise, not least Dean Fuller who could only look on helplessly as the ball sailed passed him into the net. Some bad news for Pagham when influential skipper Sean Towers was led from the field on sixty six minutes with a broken nose. On came Chris Heller to plug the gap in defence. He made an almost immediate impact, clearing the lines from East Preston skipper Seb Keete. Matt Wood headed wide for Pagham as they looked for yet another goal. This duly arrived with twelve minutes left as Lewis Hamilton’s cross was steered home by Louis Haga- Hammond. Two further minutes went by before Michael Frangou wrapped things up to finish off yet another cross from Hamilton. As the minutes ticked down at the end of the game he could have sealed his hat-trick, but the ball sailed well over the bar. This ended a game which was perfect preparation for the visit of Hythe Town in the FA Cup next Saturday.

Pagham; W.Hallett, T.Lester, A.Hunter, B.Chatfield, S.Towers, K.Urquhart, L.Hamilton. D.Peach, L.Haga-Hammond, M.Frangou, M.Wood; D.Cowton, K.Hardwell, A.Cox, C.Heller, R.McLelland
East Preston; D.Fuller, J.Meeney, N.Dacosta, C.Yelling, A.Holman, A.Nicholson, C.Bowyer, S.Keet, S.Banks, P.Churchill, D.Swain;J.Matthews, C.Oatway, J.Huet, A.Goff