Pagham took the honours as Carl Stabler returned to Crabtree Park & left with all three points. When these two sides last met in the league, Wick had hit six in a nine-goal thriller, also winning 4-0 at Nyetimber Lane. This match had much to prove for so many reasons, not least the amount of former players on each side in the starting elevens. The Lions’ boss sprang a surprise at the start, with Scott Murfin dropping to the bench, Michael Frangou and James Temple leading the line for Pagham. Ex-Lion Jack Beadle could have opened the scoring with a looping shot within the first few minutes. Danny Towers, also a former Pagham player, struck a shot at Wes Hallett as Paghm seemed subdued in the early stages. James Temple and George Gaskin were full of running, with Michael Frangou providing a cutting edge, but the ball just wasn’t falling right for the visitors. Frangou controlled a ball from the right on twenty five minutes, but his shot went out of harms way. The half hour saw the best chance yet for Pagham, as a corner was swung in, with Wick ‘keeper Greg Forster just getting a fingertip to the ball. He appeared to injure himself in the process, and was down on the ground some considerable time. Following treatment he was able to continue, and he fed the ball to Scott Towers. Towers run into the area should have resulted in a goal, but the Lions were rescued by some astute defensive work. Pagham had keeper injury problems of their own as Wes Hallett was bought down with a mistimed tackle. Luckily he, too, was able to continue after the application of the magic sponge. The final few minutes of the half were pulsating. Wick shot narrowly wide, whilst Pagham thought they’d scored after a corner. The ball was swung in, and Forster appeared to carry the ball over the. Refree Mr Milligan waved play on as the half came to an end.

No changes for either side at the break as Pagham went on the attack. Seb Bagyura stopped his old side from scoring as he cleared off the line for Wick. Scott Towers took a shot from range which deserved a goal. The opening goal came in controversial circumstances though. Michael Frangou was bought down following a clash with Forster in the area. To the incensed reaction of the Wick fans, the refree pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Andy Weir, who capped a strong defensive display with a well taken spot-kick. Scott Murfin came on for the Lions, as Michael Frangou’s injury finally took its toll. Wick’s goal came almost on the hour mark. A free-kick was scrambled away by Pagham’s defence, only for Danny Towers to score the goal of the game by smacking the ball back over Wes Hallett’s head. Tremendous goal that neither Wes nor his defence could have done anything about. On came Alex Kew for Dan Moseby, and the youngster had been on the pitch for all of three minutes before unleashing a shot at Forster which could have doubled Pagham’s lead. It didn’t matter though as George Gaskin did get Pagham’s second on seventy minutes following a scramble in the wick goalmouth. Brett Forden was then booked in his first game against his old side. Jack Beadle flew down the pitch on seventy five minutes, but before he could score, Wes Hallett raced from his area to deny the former Lions’ striker. Beadle did less well a few minutes later as his shot sailed high and wide over the bar. Joe Booker’s clearance was leapt upon by Seb Bagyura, whose shot was well saved by Hallett. In the dying seconds, James Temple could have tripled Pagham’s score as he latched onto a Scott Murfin through ball. The chance went begging, but Pagham still kept bragging rights until the teams’ next meeting at the end of the season.

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