Michael Frangou’s hat-trick made a big contribution to the Oaks being uprooted from the John O’Hara Cup. Following two postponements, it was in front of a big crowd that Pagham finally put this game to rest. The Lions opened the scoring just on five minutes when Rob Wimble struck home his first goal since returning from injury. Pagham were all over Mile Oak at this stage, and could have easily doubled their lead before Brett Forden struck home, capitalising on a Calum Britton free-kick and hesitancy in the Oaks’ defence. The visitors’ main threat came from Tony Burnett, but only rarely did James Leahy have work to do in Pagham’s goal. With new signing Wes Hallett cup-tied, and Rob Mclelland suspended, Leahy was looking to make the most of his chance to shine. Calum Britton was having a superb game down the left, time and again tormenting the Mile Oak right-back. At the other end Chris and James Heller were having little to do, whilst Sean Towers lived up to his name with some strong tackling when it mattered. Ashley Hunter was given time and space to get up field when the opportunity arose. With the first half coming to its end, Calum Britton sprinted down the left, showed some nifty footwork to supply Frangou, and the latter made no mistake to put the Lions three up at the break.

A low note was struck for Pagham at the start of the second half. With a recurrence of the injury which kept him out earlier in the season, Rob Wimble failed to re-appear. After the game he said he felt it go in the match against Sidlesham, but hoped he could play today and hopes to be fit again for Saturday’s quarter-final tie at Sidley. Aaron Knight replaced Wimble in a role he seemed to enjoy. Mile Oak almost scored Pagham’s fourth five minutes in when Nick Lansdale took the trouble to strike the ball toward Ashley Walker in Oaks’ goal. The chance was eventually cleared, but it didn’t take long for the Lions to bite again. Michael Frangou took the opportunity to waltz the ball round Walker, and score his second of the game. Referee Mr Small had cause to book Jamie Ash as he felled Frangou, who was clean through looking to get his third goal. The resultant free-kick unfortunately troubled the crows in the trees more than the keeper. Jordan Willis came on shortly afterward as Calum Britton took a well earned rest from the action. With some twenty minutes left, Leahy made a great save from Burnett but again Mile Oak looked wooden. Mark Livermore’s appearance in a Pagham shirt after a spell away meant that Dan Martin could sit out the rest of a game he had played well in. Inevitably it was Michael Frangou who would have the last say in the game. His strike with two minutes to go not only completed his hat-trick and in the process also saw him get his 20th goal of the season. A fitting end to a superb win for the Lions.

Gary Block said after the game that he was pleased with the result and also he was happy with the way the players had responded to his criticisms of areas he felt needed improving. He said he thought the game against Sidlesham helped, with the players finally getting a match after a long lay-off. The goals were all top class he said. Rob Wimble will be rested on Tuesday against Shoreham, and he was happy to bring in Matt Robb From the reserves then, Robb having scored a hat-trick himself for the reserves today. Gary also fancied Pagham’s chances against Shoreham, citing the memorable games in the Senior Cup earlier this season.