Lions go down at Town - but young guns fire to league title

Things didn’t start well for Pagham when Ryan Davidson pulled up early on and had to be substituted. Matt Ryan replaced him as Mark Bennett juggled his formation.

Eastbourne Town had started well and the home side’s positive start was rewarded on 22 minutes when Jason Taylor found himself unmarked in the Pagham six-yard box and was easily able to tap home.

Pagham created their best chance of the game as Callum Overton got on to the end of Charlie Selby’s perfectly-weighted pass, shrugged off the Eastbourne defender and fired his shot towards the top corner, only for Town’s keeper to expertly tip the effort round the post.

The rest of the first half was uneventful at both ends, until four minutes into stoppage time when Pagham were dispossessed in midfield and Eastbourne were able to break away quickly and double their lead through Aaron Capon.

David Crouch was introduced at half-time for the Lions as Pagham looked to get back into it.

Just as Pagham were looking to settle into the game and find their rhythm, Eastbourne got a third and effectively put the game to bed, Taylor grabbing his second.

Pagham’s young side battled away and tried to get back into the game but it was not to be.

Terrell Lewis came on for ten minutes as he continues his comeback from injury but the second half passed by without many chances, just as the first had.

Eastbourne fully deserved all three points on the day.

TONY SHEA

* A last-gasp Terrell Lewis winner gave Pagham’s under-21s all three points on the night they lifted the SCFL Under-21 West title.

The young Lions went into the game having already been confirmed as champions and knowing the trophy was to be presented after the match.

On ten minutes, skipper David Crouch hunted down a YMCA centre-half and made a tackle on the edge of the 18-yard box. The ball fell to Josh Irish, who guided the ball home from 12 yards to give Pagham the lead. .

The visitors grew in confidence and in the 61st minute, substitute Kevin Budge turned on the edge of the box and curled an effort towards the top corner.

Despite Lions keeper Jordan Matthews making an outstanding stop, the ball hit Harry Hendrick as he was trying to get back and it went in.

The winner arrived in the 89th minute when Lewis hit a first-time volley from 25 yards straight into the top corner, a sublime strike after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Afterwards there were celebratory scenes as the team were presented with the league trophy.

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