GALLERY: Lions sink Saints to extend lead at top

Scott Murfin was again the hero as Pagham came back from 2-1 down to beat St Francis Rangers 4-2 at Nyetimber Lane and extend their lead at the top of the Sussex League division-one table.
Action from Pagham's win over St Francis    Picture by Kate Shemilt C141563-5Action from Pagham's win over St Francis    Picture by Kate Shemilt C141563-5
Action from Pagham's win over St Francis Picture by Kate Shemilt C141563-5

With the game given the go-ahead only half an hour before kick-off following sterling work by the groundsmen and volunteer fork-wielders, the Lions made the most of closest rivals Dorking dropping points at home.

Both sides missed early chances but Pagham were looking the better side.

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Dan Martin was very strong on the right wing, giving his opposite number problems. Conor Carolan kick-started a Rangers attack, but Pagham cleared their lines.

Action from Pagham's win over St Francis    Picture by Kate Shemilt C141563-5Action from Pagham's win over St Francis    Picture by Kate Shemilt C141563-5
Action from Pagham's win over St Francis Picture by Kate Shemilt C141563-5

Rob Brown could have given Pagham the lead but his shot went over the bar. Twenty minutes in, referee Mr Collumbell booked Josh Bryant in controversial fashion. No-one in the ground seemed to know why the yellow card had been shown.

Pagham’s resultant free-kick saw them open the scoring as Murfin made the most of a goalmouth melee to strike home.

The restart saw Andy Brown of St Francis Rangers go on a run which was blocked by the Lions rearguard.

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With the pitch cutting up, Neil Murfin was unlucky to receive a yellow card which owed more to the mudbath of a surface than any malice.

Just after the half-hour, Martin left the pitch to applause, injury cutting short a superb display. On came Lewis Hamilton to replace him.

The visitors stepped up a gear and by half-time they were 2-1 up.

A goal out of nothing saw Sam Saunders’ long-range shot fizz past Binfield on 39 minutes, followed two minutes later by Nathan Millroy’s solo run and shot.

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The Lions raced out of the blocks as the second period started, virtually parking in Rangers’ half.

Five minutes in, the equaliser arrived via Ryan Davidson. A corner appeared to deflect off Tom Broadbent and Davidson was on hand to steer the ball home.

This triggered a shooting match from the Lions, with Rob Brown having two clear-cut chances and Scott Murfin pinging a strike off the crossbar.

More controversy followed on 57 minutes as a booking for Rangers’ Dan Lawrence was felt more deserving of a red card by many in the Pagham crowd.

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Neil Murfin tried his luck against Rangers keeper Rob Gordon, shooting just over. Then Ryan Morey had a shot charged down as the Lions looked for that elusive third.

It finally came on 69 minutes as Scott Murfin collected a pass and gave Gordon no chance. Morey’s run a few minutes later could have made it four, but again a cut-up pitch robbed him with the goal in sight.

Now it was all Pagham. Time and again they rushed forward, but the Rangers defence held firm.

Eight minutes before the end, a pinpoint free-kick from Ruben French was deflected behind for a corner.

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With less than a minute to go, Scott Murfin raced into the area and was up-ended in front of the ref, who had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Justice was served as Murfin took the spot-kick himself to complete his hat-trick.

Pagham host Shoreham this Saturday.

PAGHAM: Binfield, A Brown, French, O’Connor (Wimble 65), Broadbent, Davidson, Martin (Hamilton 32), N Murfin, R Brown, S Murfin, Morey (Van Driel 76). Subs not used: Dormer, Richer.

JON ROSE

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