Lingfield 2-2 Pagham

The Lingers not been beaten at The Lair since April 2017; Pagham unbeaten in the league after 10 games. Something to budge?...

A third consecutive start for Joel Alexander up top after his 2 goals in as many games. Olly Moore retained his spot in goal after an accomplished clean sheet. So an unchanged side from that which beat Hassocks 3-0 last weekend.

First half then, and Pagham engaged us high. Don’t know whether it was worked out through our video coverage or a usual move from them. However, it did make it difficult to play out; instantly setting their intentions for the game. With this, it allowed them to retain better possession and look more threatening whilst Alexander and anyone joining in did pose a danger on the counter. Lots of half chances more than anything for both sides throughout the half. The key moments of the half came 5 minutes from time; Bakhit got his overlap around Alexander and into the box and as he attempted his cross, was clearly brought down late to no advantage. Nothing given. Pagham went up the other end with Overton creating a mazey run into the box, between Fuller and Heaton and brought down, this time given. As close as Moore got, Overton converted it himself into the bottom left. 0-1; and that was the half tied up.

Yes, 1-0 down. Yes, they haven’t been beaten at this stage; but for us, never felt out of the game. A penalty the difference, and could’ve been very different if decisions had been. Pagham almost doubled the lead however minutes into the restart, which MoM Josh Fuller denied with a worldie last ditch tackle as the goal was gaping! We definitely were able to retain the ball better, and push Pagham back with a little more authority and began to press them as high as they were us in the first period. We got the equaliser just after the hour mark; keeper indecisive when playing out, played basically straight to me, and I lifted it over him as he struggled to recover; 1-1. Didn’t last long was an understatement! From kick off, a move down the left so Hodge decide we’d been level long enough, and gifted their winger a chance to round Moore and was tapped home by Overton for his 2nd. On video evidence, the ball was played forward when beyond all Lingfield players, but was still given. 10 minutes later, it was Pagham who felt aggrieved as a deep free kick was hit into the back of my head and back over into the path of Connolly who chipped the keeper on the angle and into the top corner for a quality delicate finish; 2-2. Again upon video evidence, I looked closer than 10 yards. Seemed to level itself over the course of the game I suppose. The very last chance fell to the Lingers; Joe Kavangh at the back stock from a Heaton free kick deflected to the back post and Kavangh pulled his effort from 3 yards. A real gutter! 2-2 it finished.

Across the 90 neither team deserved to lose, but both sides will feel they could’ve won it. So we uphold our record at The Lair for another week whilst they remain unbeaten in the league through 11 now. Credit to the character of all the players who dug in and showed some good fitness levels late on. And a big good luck to all Pagham FC in their quest for promotion; a good outfit they are. And to their travelling support who stuck around after to enjoy the evenings entertainment. We look forward to doing the same in the return trip.

Midweek football is back Tuesday! At The Lair, in the Surrey Cup, v Horley Town Res. A side we played last year in the same competition. They’ll be an unknown quantity this year however.

A big thank you to Mike Moore for running our media system throughout the game and providing highlights and stats afterwards which can be found on DE Photo TV. A quality production!

We hope to see you all again very soon! Up the Lingers

MOM - Josh Fuller

By Sammy Clements