Lingfield licked by Lions as leaders march on

Neil Murfin took an unfamiliar place in defence while Lewis Hyde was a substitute following his move from Midhurst.

James Temple headed wide for Pagham, while Chris Gould was robbed of an Uckfield goal by a clearance from Scott Hinshelwood. Then a strike from Howard Neighbour was tipped over by Uckfield ‘keeper Shayne Goldsmith.

Pagham scored their first when Scott Murfin was bundled over and took revenge with a shot which was deflected in.

The Lions attacked in waves, with a strike from Hinshelwood disallowed for offside. Uckfield fell foul of the offside trap more than once but the visitors equalised from the penalty spot with the referee again being the subject of derision from the crowd.

Pagham were rocked, but did find openings for Murfin and Temple before half-time.

Uckfield poured forward and Joe Booker and Matt Wood had to be at their best to clear the lines for Pagham, with Gould strieing powerfully into the side netting.

But Pagham dragged the game back, Temple scoring the second with a strong header from a sublime Pip Turner cross. This rattled Uckfield and the third came minutes later.

Joe Booker opened his season’s account with a cracking volley to make it 3-1.

Gould was a handful, but his best shot bothered the roosting seagulls above the goal more than Wes Hallett. The game ended with Matt Wood’s shot going awry.

PAGHAM: Hallett, N Murfin (Robinson 72), Buckland, Pearce, Booker, Hinshelwood, Turner, Wood, Temple, S Murfin (Frangou 78), Neighbour (Simmonds 73). Subs not used Hyde, Price.

JON ROSE