Make theirs a double - Pagham go second in Sussex League

Pagham moved into second place in division one of the Sussex League when they completed a quick league double over Shoreham.

Tuesday night’s 3-1 win was the second time in nine days they had scored three against Shoreham and beaten them.

Two goals from Scott Murfin and a pearler from Michael Frangou gave Carl Stabler’s side their third win in six games to leave them just three points behind leaders Three Bridges, although the Lions have played more games. They go to Three Bridges on Saturday.

The visitors started brightly, with Lee Denyer shooting just over in the first two minutes.

Paul Jones could have put Pagham in front but his header struck the crossbar. Shoreham forced a couple of goalmouth scrambles before the Lions made the breakthrough on 20 minutes.

Murfin’s run and shot bamboozled Steve Allfray in Shoreham’s goal and he stood helpless as Murfin struck home a sweet shot.

Shoreham fought back with Owen Callaghan heading across Wes Hallett’s goal.

Arguably the goal of the game came just after the half-hour. Frangou controlled the ball, turned and struck a tremendous shot past Allfray.

On the half-hour, a penalty was awarded to Shoreham – but no-one in the ground seemed to know what it was for. Up stepped Graham Martin to make it 2-1.

Shoreham attacked after the break, Walker bringing the best out of Hallett.

Then Pagham went further ahead. A scything run down the left from Murfin ended with him firing in his 15th league goal of the season.

Shoreham could have gone further behind as Jack Williamson and Alex Kew went close.

There was a scare for Pagham when Murfin appeared to signal to be taken off, but he ran off a groin problem.

Ross Woolf was next to show his teeth as his long-range shot almost beat Allfray only for the ball to be tipped over.

After a long stoppage for a Shoreham injury, the game petered out, leaving Pagham deserved winners on the night.

JON ROSE