Pagham

After the superb win at Newhaven in the week, there was a feeling that we could see a third win in a row for The Lingers with the visit of a Pagham team on a poor run. And what a start the lads made with Simpson challenging the goalkeeper in the first minute and then winning a free kick on the edge of the box. His kick was blocked by the wall but the ball ran to Dickinson who fired it into the net from outside the box with just 2 minutes on the clock. Who said you are most vulnerable after scoring as Pagham hit the righthand post with a shot from the left edge of our box but Glassborow gathered the rebound. Stripp took a free kick from the left of their box and but Wilford shot past the post. Williams put a cross into their box, the ball fell to Allen but his shot was blocked and Dickinson could not keep his shot down. Pagham came forward down the left and what looked like a cross was missed by Glassborow and it ended up in our net for the equaliser against the balance of play.

Having been invigorated by a dose of sea air on Tuesday evening, our quality of play was much less bracing for the next 20 minutes with just a good charge down of their keeper by Brown but an attempt to take advantage of the stranded keeper by Wilford was off target. Simpson then set up Wilford for a shot but his boots seemed to have lost their magic scoring touch as the ball went over the bar. The ever-industrious Simpson got a shot in but the follow up by Dickinson was saved. A free kick on the right of their box was teed up for Dickinson but it was blocked and then a quick break by Pagham through the centre saw them take the lead at the end of what had been an even half.

The lads came out with intent for the second half with Williams having a shot saved in the first minute. Shortly after Pagham had a glorious chance to take a 3-1 lead as they were through for a one on one with the keeper but Glassborow made a great save to deny them. On 51 minutes Brown but a good cross in for Williams to finish nicely for the equaliser. Simpson and Williams had shots blocked as we dominated most of the rest of game. Dickinson had a shot that went wide, Wilford curled a free kick into the side netting, and then came the game’s controversial moment. Brown was clear and in on goal with just their advancing keeper to beat when he was flattened by the keeper. Clear goal scoring opportunity? Seemed pretty clear to most and as the dust settled the referee had his red card in his hand….and then the linesman intervened and persuaded the ref that the ball was not under control!! So just a yellow card. Even still playing against eleven, The Lingers kept the shots coming from Williams, Dickinson, Hill and Sewell but with no reward. A strange lack of any added time as the final whistle came and it ended 2-2. Hard not feel that 2 points had got away that would have kept us in the top half of the table. Perhaps the sea air will work its magic at Bexhill next Saturday for a hattrick of seaside opponents.