Pagham, Loxwood and Hailsham enjoy football friendly victories - Littlehampton Utd, Billingshurst and West Hoathly beaten

Pagham 3 Littlehampton United 0 by Paul Davidson

After last week’s 4-0 win over Selsey, the Lions carried on where they left off with a comfortable 3-0 win over Littlehampton United in their second pre-season friendly behind closed doors at Nyetimber Lane.

Pagham started on the front foot and stayed there for the entire 90 minutes, their opponents failing to provide one decent shot of their own.

Joe Clarke looked to have scored as early as the 7th minute, but his shot flew off the post to safety. Newcomer Joe Bennett, signed from Selsey, was unlucky three minutes later as his shot drifted just wide.

On 37 minutes Pagham did take the lead when returning striker David Crouch, back in the Lions' Den after a couple of years away, spun on the ball on the edge of the six-yard box to plant his shot into the corner of the net.

On the stroke of half-time the excellent Jared Rance made it 2-0 when he burst through the static defence to score with ease.

Pagham made nine changes at half-time which paid immediate dividends when Jake Heryet made it 3-0 after 50 minutes from close in.

Several further chances came the Lions way but none registered . It took a wonderful save from Lions keeper Maciek Kason, deputising in the Littlehampton net, to deny a Jack Williamson header and the game went on to finish 3-0.

Billingshurst 2 Loxwood 6 by Ian Bennett

Billingshurst’s good start to the pre-season stuttered over the weekend in a defeat to local rivals Loxwood at Jubilee Fields.

Within 2 minutes, Loxwood took the lead with a free kick from outside the box. ‘Hurst quickly equalised when Sam Bull was brought down and he converted the penalty. On 20 minutes, once again sloppy defending allowed the away team to retake the lead.

The remainder of the first half saw chances for both sides but no further score. A raft of changes in the second half did the home side no favours and Loxwood dominated the rest of the game.

The only highlight being a long distance strike from Bradley O’Connor after a poor clearance from the Loxwood goalkeeper. Final score was a 6-2 defeat. Next games up are against local side Rudgwick in midweek followed by a trip to Lingfield.

Billingshurst Reserves and thirds also continued their pre-season. The reserves lost 3-1 to a strong AFC Gatwick side with a goal from Greg Clark to take them in 1-0 at half-time but couldn’t hang on in the 2nd half. The 3rds drew 1-1 with Weald Wanderers – the Billingshurst goal from Jack Cox via a deflected free-kick.

West Hoathly 0 Hailsham Town 2 by Stuart Fairway

Hailsham Town recorded a 2-0 victory away to Mid Sussex Championship West Hoathly in the second of the pre-season friendlies.

Hailsham began brightly with Jamie Salvidge forcing a good save in the opening minute, but endured a frustrating time for much of the first half with good approach play for little reward in the final third, with Rhys Taylor's effort against the post the closest The Stringers would come.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 52nd minute, with summer arrival Tim Johnson lashing home a powerful effort from the edge of the box to put Hailsham ahead, with chances then following for Charlie Playford, Owen Jones, Ellis Webster and Jamie Salvidge.

The lead was doubled on the 70th minute mark when another new signing, Jarrod Wrangle, opened his Stringers account with a header. Chances for Harry Hughes and Callum Holles followed, but Hailsham were unable to add to their tally.

Chairman's MOM was Tim Johnson, with honourable mentions to Jarrod Wrangle and Dan Fox

Next week Hailsham are due to host Little Common in another behind closed doors match.