The B-17 which flew over the ground prior to the game proved an omen, when Pagham were sent flying out of the FA Cup as Fortress Nyetimber was breached for the first time this season. But for a single refreeing decision, the game was very much there for the Lions too. Pagham started the game at tremendous pace, Pip Turner racing down the wing to torment the Herne defence. Byron Walker for the visitors was to be a threat all game, only the magnificence of Scott Hinshelwood denying him, and Herne an opening goal. James Corbett could also have scored when a rare fumble from James Binfield allowed the Herne striker sight of goal. Pagham were definitely "up for the cup" though, and a battling performance right through the team was typified none more so than for the opening goal. James Temple's storming run and cross saw Phil Turner strike home to open Pagham's account. James Binfield was again looking sharp, with a couple of cracking saves to deny Herne. All of this before twenty minutes were on the clock. A sign of things to come saw Walker taken down in the area, but referee Mr Pratt waved away any claims for a penalty. James Corbett had a shot diverted over for the visitors, whilst Binfield made a superb save from a right sided shot. Paul Jones’ defensive skills were put to the fore with a timely interception as Herne hunted for an equaliser. Pagham themselves could have put the game beyond Herne’s reach as they struck through Scott Murfin and Phil Turner. The whistle went to end what had been a blistering first half in the August heat.

No changes on either side at the re-start, with Byron Walker first to try his luck. A minute in, his shot went well wide of Binfield’s upright. A rare goal chance for Pagham’s Paul Jones a few minutes later. The tall defender saw his header go just wide of Dan Eason’s post. Darren Marsden then saw his shot go wide as the game continued at break-neck speed. With nine minutes of the half gone, the moment that turned the game occurred. A tussle in Pagham’s area saw a penalty awarded. To everyone watching in the ground, the decision was, to say the least, controversial. With the consensus being it should have been a Pagham free-kick, up stepped Byron Walker to give Herne Bay a much disputed lead. This seemed to take some of the impetus from Pagham, and within minutes the visitors went ahead. Paul Jones’ challenge on Walker resulted in a booking for Jones, and a goal for Tom Bryant as he headed in from the free-kick. A second booking for Pagham soon followed as Joe Booker spoilt what had been a solid performance with a badly timed tackle. Mr Pratt wasn’t finished there, as ten minutes later Alex Ward saw yellow for a challenge on Herne sub Steve Hanson. Tom Broadbent cleared the resultant shot off Pagham’s line, as the Lions did all they could to claw their way back into the game. Alex Ward headed toward goal, only for Dan Eason to get in the way and save easily. Ross Woolf came on for the Lions to add some pace to a flagging Lions side. Scott Murfin was barged over with seven minutes to go, although his attempt for justice saw his shot go sailing over the bar. Ryan Cox then tried his luck, firing wide from a free-kick, before a booking added to his woes. Pagham pressed on, and a brace of corners with a minute left allowed Scott Murfin to shoot narrowly wide. Deep into injury time, Herne sub Stacey Davis could have wrapped it up, his shot pinging back off the post.

Pagham; J.Binfield, J.Booker, T.Broadbent, D.Pearce, P.Jones, S.Hinshelwood, P.Turner, A.Ward, J.Temple, S.Murfin, M.Wood; B.Buckland, R.Woolf, R.Cox, G.Robinson, D.Simmonds.

Herne Bay; D.Eason, O.Bartrum, T.Bryant, T.Ashmore, J.Campbell, N.Perkins, D.Lawrence, D.Marsden, B.Walker, J.Corbett, B.Brown; R.Lawson, J.Sherman, S.Hanson, J.Maysted, M.Turner, J.Turner, S.Davis