FA Cup: Ford motors in to put Pagham through and fell Sevenoaks
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But as Pagham boss John Price said after the game, more clinical finishing could have put this game out of reach by half-time.
The Lions welcomed back Joe Booker, with Scott Murfin on the bench following a knee injury.
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Hide AdThe opening goal came in the third minute, Max Thoms getting his fourth of the season as fine build-up play allowed the striker to smack the ball past a stranded Matt Bailey.
The early exchanges were in Pagham’s favour, Sevenoaks relying on free-kicks for any sight of Andy Smallpeice’s goal.
An injury to Sevenoaks’ Matt Dennis held up play before Adam Horne almost equalised for the visitors with a looping shot that everyone thought was well over. Only the acrobatics of Smallpiece kept the score 1-0 to the Lions.
This spurred on Sevenoaks and Gerald Akosa, a threat all game for them, went close on the half-hour.
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Hide AdA minute later Callum Cutler could have got a second for Pagham but his shot came back off the crossbar. Joe Briggs’ shot was palmed away for a corner by Bailey.
Akosa was given acres of room only to see his final ball let him down. Karl Balogun threaded a hole in the Lions’ defence but his opportunity also went begging.
The second half started with Briggs testing Bailey, the Sevenoaks keeper conceding a corner.
Briggs was treated for a head injury but was able to continue and soon he was trying his luck with a shot that went over the keeper and the bar and startled some crows in the trees behind the goal.
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Hide AdA good recovery by Sevenoaks’ Lee Warren robbed Thoms of a second goal.
A booking for Cutler on 62 minutes following a late tackle was the only yellow card in a competitive game.
Ryan Cox was replaced by James Temple to give the forward line extra height and presence.
Sevenoaks levelled through a superb long-range shot from Gorin Khan on his debut.
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Hide AdTemple was twice narrowly wide as the home side tried to press and in the 76th minute their advantage was restored.
Ford took advantage of a low ball into the area to give the Lions the lead.
Luke Killner replaced Neil Murfin for the Lions and immediately made an impact with a searing run that should have ended in another goal.
In time added on, a farcical back pass allowed Max Thoms a sight of goal. As he rounded Bailey, the keeper managed to rescue his side. Temple had the last scoring chance but missed the target.
PAGHAM: Smallpeice, Hawker, Ford, Pearce, Booker, Jones, Briggs, N Murfin (Killner 77), Thoms, Cutler, Cox (Temple 64). Subs not used: Eyres, S Murfin, Binfield.
JON ROSE