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George shows the Way for City to win derby at Pagham
Chichester City just sneaked a 2-1 county league win that took them up to fifth place in a pulsating match at Nyetimber Lane.
With the Lions looking to regain their roar after their FA Cup loss, they welcomed back Andy Weir and Neil Murfin from injury.
The visitors had much of the early play, Sean Thurgood and Laurence Wall finding time and space to attack from the back. Thurgood's long-range shot was an early taster for what was to come.
Jack Salter-Vaile also found himself clear on goal, but Wes Hallett saved Pagham from an early setback.
George Way tested Hallett from long range, but shot well over as the away side camped in Pagham's half.
The Lions found some impetus in the latter stages of the first half as James Ford did well to clear a Pagham attack. This was followed up with a superb Scott Murfin shot that took a rebound out to safety.
The Murfins combined as a great ball from Scott to Neil saw the latter set up a scoring chance for the Lions.
Again the play swung back to the visitors, Thurgood's free-kick forcing a great save from Hallett.
The first half ended with a stinging free-kick which Scott Murfin fired straight at Lloyd Patilla in the Chichester goal.
Chichester started the second half much as the first, Graeme Gillman testing Hallett. Joe Briggs could have celebrated his birthday with a goal, but contrived to shoot well over.
Pagham opened the scoring just after the hour as George Gaskin struck from outside the area.
Scott Murfin nearly doubled the lead when his shot snaked wide a few minutes later.
Pagham's lead lasted ten minutes before Gillman's low shot from the left eluded Hallett.
Pagham fought back, with a well-struck free-kick pinging into the side netting.
Chichester's second was shrouded in controversy. Way, who'd been a nuisance to Pagham all game, was brought down in the area, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Way took the penalty, with Hallett saving. But the Lions' elation turned to deflation as Chichester sub Nathan Paxton turned in the rebounded shot.
Gaskin could have equalised, but his shot pinged into the side netting.
The last action saw Michael Frangou strike a shot well over and a superb solo run from Josh Case that ended with him shooting narrowly over Hallett's goal.
PAGHAM: Hallett, Misslebrook, R Cox, Pearce, Jones, Booker, N Murfin, Boston, Frangou, S Murfin, Gaskin. Subs: Robinson, Mosbey, Basill, Kew, Williamson
CITY: Patilla, Wall, Ford, Thurgood, Chapman, Broadbent, Way, Saltergate, Gilman, Cutler, Briggs. Subs: Paxton, Smith, Burney, Base, Searle.
JON ROSE
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Weather for Bognor
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
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