Lions make Wick wilt... City settle for Arundel point
Lions boss John Tucker led Wick to promotion last season, while ex-Pagham keeper Wes Hallett was on Wick’s management team.
Within the first five minutes of the Southern Combinatipn premier, the Lions could have taken the lead, former Pagham keeper Billy Nash being kept busy by a couple of shots.
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Hide AdAt the other end Wick’s Kerry Hardwell marked his return to Nyetimber Lane with a shot that was just wide of the mark.
The quarter-hour saw more pressure from the away side, with Julian Boniface on hand to clear off the line. Boniface then opened the scoring at the other end, a superb header rocketing past Nash.
Five minutes later the lead doubled as Alex McIver’s attempted headed clearance ended up in his own net.
After 32 minutes, Boniface doubled his tally and extended the Lions’ lead after he scored following Johan van Driel’s cross.
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Hide AdBut Wick pulled one back with five minutes remaining of the first half thanks to a header from Danny Towers.
There was a heated clash in the tunnel as both sides went in at the interval, but the referee was on hand to deal with it.
Joe Gromett was close for Pagham with a header on the hour before Alex Kew put Pagham back on track after Scott Murfin’s cross landed at his feet and he left Nash with no chance.
The three-goal lead saw the Lions become complacent and they let the visitors back in the game as Hardwell’s low shot flew past James Binfield on 72 minutes.
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Hide AdIn the dying minutes, Wick had two corners but Binfield was on hand to deal with them.
Next up for Pagham is a tasty-looking home clash against Chichester City on Monday (December 28).
PAGHAM: Binfield, Davidson, Kew, N Murfin (Simmonds 61), Wollers, Boniface (Warren 70), Lewis, Ediker, Gromett, Van Driel (Rowlatt 81). Sub: Cody.
WICK & B: Nash, Dunlop, Eyres, McIver, Playle-Howard, D Towers, S Towers, Noble, Hardwell, Chick, Frangou. Subs: Ebling, Gover, Hayes.
JON ROSE
Arundel 0 Chichester City 0
Southern Combination premier
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Hide AdChichester City boss Miles Rutherford says his side lacked creativity after their seven-game winning streak came to an end in their goalless draw at Arundel.
The Mill Road pitch and wet and windy conditions seemed to prevent City from playing the attacking football which has proved to be so successful under Rutherford.
Chi seemed to have the better of the first half but they were not able to put away their three chances. James Fernandes pulled off a fine save to keep out Josh Clack’s strike.
In the second half Arundel fought well but they similarly couldn’t score from their few openings. The home side could well have taken all three points but Rory Biggs missed an open goal five minutes from time.
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Hide AdCity’s Josh Case needed hospital treatment after a nasty injury in which he suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder and rupturing ligaments.
Rutherford said: “We didn’t create anything – we did not deserve anything more than the draw and it is probably the worst performance I’ve seen since I have been here.
“Although we did not create, it was not a pitch to play football on and I’m glad we kept a clean sheet. We didn’t play anywhere near the standard we know we are capable of.
“I think conditions ruined the game – it is a tough one to judge. We have done well not to concede but we did not look good going forward.
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Hide Ad“We have got some big games coming up, with Pagham up next (at Nyetimber Lane on Monday), but I’m not disappointed. It is crazy that we have drawn a game and it is seen as a bad result.”
CITY: Hook, Watts, Williams, Horncastle, French, Clack, Hartley, Case (Edwards), Hegarty, Bush, Wild. Unused subs: Jack Bingham, Frazer Smith, Alex Ansa-Mcintyre.
GEORGE BOULTON
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