Pagham on course after Worthing win

The Lions are eighth in division one of the county league after a run of six wins and a draw - but they’d probably be higher had it not been for an unfortunate run of games beaten by the weather.

Their latest run-out was a straightforward 3-0 win at struggling Worthing United thanks to goals from Howard Neighbour (2) and Scott Murfin, who has now scored in their past five games.

Now the big challenge for Price’s men is to force their way into the top six while coping with a congested fixtures list that will sees them with 24 of their 42 league matches still to play - starting at Dorking on Saturday then at Hailsham next Tuesday.

Price was pleased with the Worthing win but not going overboard.

Neighbour put the Lions in front from the spot at the end of the first half after Murfin was fouled. Neighbour beat the keeper to a James Ford cross to head in the second eight minutes into the second half and Murfin produced a neat finish to make sure of it 15 minutes later.

Price said: “Worthing are going through a tough time but worked their socks off. We were on a hiding to nothing because if we’d dropped points it would have been a shock.

“Our first-half display was a bit disappointing - we weren’t sharp enough and didn’t move the ball about fast enough. But we were much better in the second half, although could have scored a few more goals.”

Pagham have strengthened goalkeeping cover by recruiting Andy McCarthy from Rustington and young stopper Alex Harris, who has had spells with Crawley and Colchester.