Michael Frangou’s 86th minute equaliser set up a grandstand period of extra-time as both teams battled to get through to round four of the John O’Hara League cup. Rye Boss Scott Smith will be the more satisfied, as his team took the game to the Lions for nearly all the 120 minutes of play.

With Scott Woolf cup-tied for this (and the next) Pagham game, Greg Robinson came into the midfield for the Lions. There was also the welcome return of Neil Murfin, albeit a place on the bench. The home side could have gone ahead in the first minute, Frangou’s run and shot testing Josh Pelling in Rye’s goal. The ball pinged to the other end of the pitch, and Matt Mclean’s strike a minute later was just deserts for a mistake in the Pagham defence. Rye were much the better side at this stage of the game, with McClean and Leach laying siege to Pagham’s goal area. Joe Booker was the pick of the bunch at the back for the Lions though, including a superb clearance near the half hour mark. The deadlock was broken when Dan Leach struck home from a Liam Upton cross. Wes Hallett was then kept busy as the visitors went looking for a second. The first half ended with a shot from Scott Murfin that went wide of the mark.

No changes after the break on either side, with Pagham looking the stronger. James Temple’s running at his opposite number almost resulted in a goal with fifty minutes gone. Ugly scenes a few minutes later as a clash between Greg Robinson and Matt McClean spawned a mass brawl that Referee Mr Griffiths took some minutes to sort out. A booking for the two original combatants, and play resumed. The game was evenly contested now, and both Pagham and Rye had chances to score, especially McClean who forced another good save out of Wes Hallett. Greg Robinson’s shot across Josh Pelling’s area and Liam Upton’s repeating the feat at the other end of the pitch showed the competitive edge on an increasingly damp pitch. With the temperature fast dropping, the game heated up, with Rye substitute Shawn Loft having high hopes as he headed goalwards. With Wes Hallett in imperious form, it was an easy take for the Pagham ‘Keeper. As the game looked to have been won by Rye, a ball from the left was despatched with much celebration from Michael Frangou. The Lions could have settled it a couple of minutes later as Robinson’s shot unluckily rebounded to safety off James Temple. The final whistle went, and extra time ensued

Alarm bells for Rye five minutes in as Josh Pelling was subject to lengthy treatment. He continued, and both Michael Frangou & Scott Murfin tried his fitness with strikes on goal. KEle Buay shot over for Rye as the game moved closer and closer to a replay. No further goals as the teams turned round for the second period of extra time. James Temple left the field for Pagham to be replaced by Alex Kew, fresh legs needed to add impetus to Pagham’s play. Scott Murfin’s shot was well saved by Pelling, whilst Dan Moseby nearly opened his account with a good strike. With less than two minutes of extra time left, Scott Hinshelwood marked his home debut for Pagham with a superb goal-line clearance to ensure the teams would meet at Rye to decide a winner.

Pagham; W.Hallett, S.Hinshelwood, R.Cox, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, G.Robinson, D.Moseby, J.Temple, S.Murfin, M.Frangou; A.Kew, J.Misslebrook, D.Bassill, N.Murfin, J.Williamson