Pagham probably wished their game had been washed out like many others after this defeat to St Francis in the Challenge Cup. With the visitors on a hat-trick of wins against the Lions, the last thing Gary Block needed was injuries and suspensions. However, fate took a hand when Sean Towers joined Billy Chatfield in being suspended for this game. Rob Wimble was left kicking his heels as a hamstring injury forced him to sit out this game. Chris Heller joined brother James in defence to make his first appearance for Pagham since rejoining the club. Colin Mills showed owl-like sagacity pre-match when he stated the pitch would cut up during the game. The first few minutes was end-to-end action as Pagham then St Francis had chances to score. Amongst the Pagham openings, Calum Britton and Dan Martin can count themselves unlucky. Tim Lester’s clearance after a quarter hour ensured the score remained goal-less. The game then entered a period of niggly play, with Elliott Butler and Martin Gainey of St Francis joining Jordan Willis in being spoken to by referee Mr Stringer. An acrobatic save from Simon Lehkyj on 24 minutes was applauded, given the worsening conditions. St Francis will rue missing an ideal chance on the half hour. Rob McLelland was judged to have bought down Phil Gault, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Gault, who smacked his shot against the bar. Much derision from the Pagham fans followed. The derision went the other way a few minutes later as Brett Forden’s artistic back-heel went over the bar rather than in the net. Martin Gainey was forced to clear the ball as Jordan Willis, Dan Martin and Michael Frangou laid siege to the visitors’ goal. The last action of the half saw veteran striker Mark Enticknapp through on goal only to see his shot saved by McLelland.

The second half was delayed by some ten minutes as the referee voiced concern over the worsening weather conditions. When there was a break in the storm, the players returned to the pitch and Chris Maynard was immediately in the action, heading just wide for St Francis. The opening goal came after fifty four minutes. Mark Enticknapp supplied the chance to Gault who smacked the ball past a diving McLelland. He tried the same trick a few minutes later, but shot tamely wide. Tim Lester got involved in a tussle with Gault, and the referee stepped in to calm things down. Ollie Day took a trip down the pitch on 66 minutes to try his luck. His shot ended in the arms of Rob McLelland. Chris Heller went off after 72 minutes to be replaced by striker Aaron Knight. When a St Francis shot flashed across the area, Gary Block chose to make another change, bringing on Dan Cox for Jordan Willis. Doug Peach then picked up a booking following a rough tackle. Pagham’s final throw of the dice came on 81 minutes with Keiron Urquhart repacing Doug Peach. Pagham’s fans almost had cause to celebrate with around ten minutes to go. A ball in from Calum Britton was fed off by Brett Forden who shot just over. Aaron Knight then shot narrowly wide to show Pagham were far from finished. As the weather worsened , diminutive Stuart Tandey should have scored for St Francis when hitting his shot straight at McLelland with two minutes to go. This proved to be the last meaningful action in a game which won’t live long in the memory.