Alex Ward Tackles Bamfo

Three first half goals ensured Chichester City United a place in round three of the John O’Hara cup. With Jason Geall missing through injury and Jones Bamfo returning from suspension, Gary Block had to re-jig the Pagham line-up. Dave Speller wore the number two shirt, but played most of the game in midfield as the Lions stuck with three at the back. Up front Rob Wimble played behind the front two of Bamfo & Sean Davies.

Having only lost once in their last seven games, the Lions were looking to cause a cup upset, but  the first goal came on two minutes when a ball in from the right was despatched by Adrian Brockway. Possibly the main attacking threat for the visitors was removed when Scott Tipper was forced to leave the field injured after five minutes. The Lions were doing their best in blustery conditions, and a series of corners inside the first quarter hour almost paid dividends.

Adrian Brockway would have felt he could have done better on 15 minutes. The speedy Chichester winger flew down the right, only to apparently fall over his own feet at the end of the run. A defensive error by Pagham let Scott Murfin in on 20 minutes to double the lead.  Pagham had the chance to score from a couple of free-kicks, but the chances fell by the wayside. The third goal came after 38 minutes. A goal mouth scramble culminated in ex Lion Tony Stephens stabbing the ball past Scott Hampton. There was just time for a couple more forlorn Pagham scoring opportunities before the break.

Gary Block rang the changes at half time. Withdrawn from action were Chris Osborne & Sean Davies, whilst Calum Britton & Doug Peach entered the fray. The former made an almost immediate impact when he capitalised on some good work from Rob Wimble. Britton took his chance well, but Gary Smart cleverly kept the ball out. Scott Murfin was proving a real handful for the visitors, and his shot on the hour bought out the best in Hampton who pulled off a good save. This was to prove his last meaningful action of the game, as he fell heavily and had to be stretchered off.

Without a recognised replacement ‘keeper on the bench, Dave Speller took his place between the sticks, having played in goal in his youth team days. Calum Britton set off on his trademark run on 81 minutes, and a superb cross-field ball just eluded the onrushing Pagham attack. Pagham were just starting to get back in their stride and Smart had to be at his best with a couple of good saves. David Bolland got a rare taste of the action on 82 minutes.

The Pagham club secretary was pressed into action as an emergency replacement as assistant linesman Mr Huggett had to leave the field injured. The last two meaningful chances went Pagham’s way. Firstly Mark Livermore’s run on the right saw an inviting ball put across the area, and then another cross just skimmed off the head of Rob Wimble.

Report written by Jon Rose (Pagham FC)

Pagham Team: S.Hampton, D.Speller, J.Heller, B.Forden, Richard Brannigan, C.Osborne, D.Jones, S.Davies, R.Wimble, J.Bamfo, M.Frangou
Subs: J.Willis, L.Gibbs, M.Livermore, C.Britton, D.Peach
Scorers: -

Chichester Team: G.Smart, B.Miah, J.Smith, S.Bernard, P.Guarnaccio, M.Vongas, A.Ward, N.Murfin, S.Tipper, S.Murfin, A.Brockway
Subs: T.Stephens, M.Duffy, D.Gauntlett (all used)
Scorers: Adrian Brockway, S. Murfin, Stephens

Attendance: 41