Pagham ensured a winning start to the New Year with a well deserved win over Three Bridges. Again without Sean Dobbs, Gary Block was otherwise able to name a near full strength squad. First chances fell one to either side. Keiron Urquhart’s ball in caused concern in Bridges’ defence before it was cleared to allow Brendan Sebuliba a chance to test Rob Mclelland. Carl Dunk’s clever ball into the Lions’ area was headed out by Sean Towers as the visitors were forced onto the back foot early in the game. Pagham’s first real chance came just after the quarter hour as a ball from Rob Wimble found Brett Forden in space, but his shot went over. Ashley Hunter was doing a good job at the back for Pagham, none more so when Carl Dunk was through on goal and the Lions defender did well to put him off his stride. Sebibula was frustrated more than once by the offside flag as the home side looked for the opening goal. Pagham had another chance themselves as Michael Frangou’s shot on the turn was just reached by Stuart Delvin. By now half an hour had passed and neither side seemed any closer to breaking the deadlock. It was to stay this way until three minutes before the break when a Bridges’ free-kick was well taken by Luke Palmer. Although central to Pagham’s goal area, the ball rebounded off the wall and the follow-up shot went well over the bar.

The second half opened with a searing shot from Rob Wimble that went just over the bar. Just four minutes into the new half and Michael Frangou got the opener. A pass from Wimble allowed Frangou to run through legions of Three Bridges players to add to his tally for the season. The home side almost went two down immediately from the restart as confusion in their defence could have resulted in an own-goal. Andy Cox then tried to exploit a chink in Three Bridges armour but the threat was cleared. Three Bridges started to get back into the game and both Sebuliba and substitute Markel Greenidge were starting to cause problems in attack. Twice in two minutes around the hour mark Sebuliba could have given the lead to Three Bridges, had it not been for McLelland, perhaps the busiest man on the pitch. Carl Dunk then shot wide and it looked as if Pagham could end up losing at least two of the three points on offer. Further bad news for the Lions saw the pacy Andy Cox down injured. He was unable to continue and Lewis Haga-Hammond came on to replace him. Things looked up as the Lions then got a second goal. A corner was awarded on Pagham’s left. In came the ball to the feet of Rob Wimble. His pass to Michael Frangou was despatched with some style to give something of a cushion to the Lions. This cushion was then deflated as Three Bridges scored the goal of the game. Markel Greenidge found space and time on Three Bridges’ right. His screaming long range shot was one that Rob McLelland could do nothing about. There was still some fifteen minutes of normal time to go, and Pagham nails were starting to be bitten. Jamie Angell was removed for Pagham and Danny Towers came on in a tactical change. Rob McLelland was again called into action as Three Bridges frantically looked for at least an equaliser. Michael Frangou’s afternoon was spoilt a little when he received a yellow card for dissent. Another Three Bridges free-kick was wasted as the time ticked down on a win for the Lions. There was just time for one final attack for Pagham. A superb right-sided ball from Keiron Urquhart saw Frangou unselfishly feed Lewis Haga-Hammond. His shot was cleared as Three Bridges could only muster a shot wide from Stuart O’Hara to end a game Pagham were worthy winners of.

Three Bridges; S.Delvin; M.Zydonik, L.Palmer, T.Kay, S.McVicar, S.O’Hara, H.Nyang, D.Smith, B.Sebuliba, S.Thornback, C.Dunk; M.Greenidge, G.Emmett, N.Davis, J.Tobin, S.Robinson
Pagham; R.McLelland, K.Urquhart, A.Hunter, B.Chatfield, S.Towers, A.Cox, J.Angell, D.Peach, R.Wimble, M.Frangou, B.Forden; C.Heller, D.Towers, L.Haga-Hammond