Pagham could have easily beaten FA Vase quarter-finalists Rye in a match where a draw seemed a fair result in the end. As early as the first minute James Temple was through on goal and only the reflexes of Josh Pelling stopped the Lions from gaining an early lead. A few minutes later, and Ryan Cox’s cross into the area caused all sorts of problems for Rye, who eventually forced the ball out for a corner. They then started to get into the game, striking a chance across Pagham’s goal. Paul Tuppeny had to to be on his toes when blocking an attempt from Temple as Pagham threatened to run riot. Ryan Cox got in on the act, shooting wide from range before Temple had two more chances to score, with Charlie Marshall supplying some good balls into the area. Rye were temporarily down to 10 men as skipper Shaun Loft left the pitch to be treated for a foot injury. Rye upped the tempo, with both Tuppeny and Sam Cole having opportunities to open the scoring. Controversy on the half hour as Scott Murfin was scythed down by Shaun Loft. Refree Nigel Baker left the Pagham crowd nonplussed as he waved away what seemed legitimate calls for a penalty. Justin Gregory fed the ball through to Temple, whose attempt at a shot went awry. Down went Dominic Clarke for the visitors, triggering derisory cat-calling from the Rye fans. Once he was treated, he was able to carry on, and the resultant drop ball was passed back to Pelling. Shaun Loft was again involved with five minutes of the first half left, when his tackle on Gregory left the Pagham man in a heap. Again Mr Baker waved away the protests. The first goal came with three minutes of normal time left. Justin Gregory’s great approach work created space and time for James Temple to smack the ball home. Just time for Ryan Cox to strike a shot into the side netting before the whistle was blown on a feisty first half.

Rye boss Scott Price chose to make changes at half time. Off came Dominic Clarke to be replaced by Richardson. Scott Ramsey moved up front to become a neighbour his strike partner Danny Leach. Pagham again attacked from the off, Joe Booker heading over from a free-kick. Scott Murfin went in on Pelling, but the ball went loose, as the Lions seemed to fail with the final ball. Shaun Loft and James Temple had a coming together with the Pagham striker coming off worse. On bounded Colin Mills and Temple carried on after treatment. Charlie Marshall hit the side netting for Pagham, whilst Sam Cole scuffed a shot toward the other goal as the game became end-to-end. Neil Murfin was spoken to by the referee, as a succession of niggling tackles threatened to spill over into something more. With just under an hour gone, Rye deservedly equalised. A cross in from the right was headed home with force by Scott Ramsey. Duncan Macarthur followed this up with a shot over the bar as the visitors looked the more threatening. With what had gone before, the inevitable booking of Shaun Loft was followed by a laughable free-kick for Pagham. Twenty minutes to go, and youngster Alex Kew came on for Pagham to replace Neil Murfin. Two minutes later, and Pagham should have gone 2-1 up. Justin Gregory’s powerful header slammed into the post as Rye breathed a sigh of relief. Two more chances for Temple followed before Sam Cole was unlucky not to score when Wes Hallett forced his shot onto the post. Shots were raining in from both sides now, as Hallett and Pelling were kept busy. A superb save from Pelling denied Temple, but even with all these chances, the game ended all-square.

Pagham;W.Hallett;S.Hinshelwood, R.Cox, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, N.Murfin, C.Marshall, J.Temple, S.Murfin, J.Gregory;A.Kew, J.Misslebrook, J.Tribe, G.Robinson

Rye United;J.Pelling, D.Simmonds, P.Tuppeney, S.Loft, S.Ramsey, J.Dixon, L.Upton, M.Mclean, D.Leach, D.Clarke, S.Cole; M.Gall, D.Macarthur, J.Richardson