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this challenging fixture. The
fact that they came home with a victory, and at
one point were 3-0 ahead, was a great testament
to everyone involved. At
right back, Tom Stutters was drafted in for his
debut replacing Craig Hall, whilst in attack
Jack Loraine and Steffen Robinson-Webster both
made their first starts of the season. On the
bench Tom Tyler, Michael Page and Chris Barton
had all been promoted from the Reserve squad.
Any thoughts Pagham may have
had of an easy afternoon where soon dispelled as
an attack-minded Peacehaven raced to an early
lead when Paul Dudson's pass found Jack Loraine,
and his shot flew past Binfield in the home
goal.
After the shock of conceding
early, Pagham tried to take control of the pace
of the game, but the tireless efforts of
Robinson-Webster, Loraine and Dudson were a
constant threat to the home side, and Peacehaven
doubled the lead as we approached the break.
This time it was Loraine who played in Dudson,
and his thunderous shot from outside the box
left Binfield with little chance.
If Pagham had been
disappointed with their first half performance,
things where about to get even worse for them as
'Haven increased the margin straight after the
break. Jack Loraine was upended in the area, and
Wes Millis calmly fired home the resultant
penalty to give an impressive lead.
As the second half unfolded,
so Peacehaven started to tire, and Pagham saw
more and more of the ball. Joe Adams produced a
succession of saves to keep the home side at
bay, but you sensed a goal was on it's way, and
with 15 minutes remaining Pagham found their way
back into the game when James Temple's shot
finally managed to beat Adams.
Peacehaven had developed a
siege mentality now, and were ruggedly defending
their lead and an overworked Joe Adams was
certainly earning his expenses! However, with 6
minutes remaining, Howard Neighbour's shot found
its way through the 'Haven barricade to set up a
nervy ending to the game.
Pagham surged forward looking
for the equaliser, but Peacehaven held on to
claim a hard, and well earned, 3 points.
"The odds were against us from
the start today - but that's when we're at our
most dangerous", said Shaun Saunders after the
game, "Everyone who was called in for this game
can feel proud of themselves - they were a
credit to the Club. There's a great spirit
amongst the players, which is something money
can't buy" |