Sussex by the sea - double

 Saturday 30 December 2023,  Sussex Double

Bognor Regis Town 1 Canvey Island 1

Isthmian League

Nyewood Lane

Attendance: 743

Game, kicked off early as the clubhouse was hosting a wedding later, gave me a chance of a cheeky double. Arrived early to get a good space to park to get away to next game on time.

Good crowd in attendance with a few from Canvey and a ground that will please most hoppers, with the variety of stands on offer.

Game wise, Canvey were a bit more football savvy whilst Bognor had plenty of skill on show but with plenty of young players on show, struggled at times with the final ball. Canvey took the lead on 57 minutes but Bognor got a deserved equaliser on 84 minutes, we then had a bit of diving/cheating by Canvey as they attempted to get players booked/sent off. 

A quick get away and arrived at the next game just as the whistle started proceedings:

Pagham 3 Horsham YMCA 1

Southern Combination, Premier Division

Nyetimber Lane

Attendance: 154

A bumper crowd boosted by a number coming from Bognor, with a number of Bognor scarfs on show in the clubhouse, club would have also done well in bar takings and food sold out!

Liked the ground, a bit ramshackle, but a club house with windows within feet of the touchline, an old seated stand which was great, once you found a way to get in it, many ended up in the changing rooms by mistake. look over the back fence and you had the total opposite to the football ground, with the local cricket club having a very modern and looked expensive pavilion.

Pagham deserved the win, first of their goals was on own goal in the first half then they added a second early in the second half. Horsham then got a penalty which also saw a Pagham player sent to the sin bin, however during his absence from the pitch, Pagham broke down the right wing, a good cross and the best goal of the game, Pagham then had most of the ball but failed to add to the score.

Pagham will be pleased, 3 points, bumper gate and plenty of cash taken in the bar, Sussex FA will also be happy with numerous bookings of both players and coaches, only surprise was no red cards, in particular the Pagham keeper seemed to live a charmed life as he seemed to be involved in every argument that took place and spent most of the game abusing the match officials, not a great advert for the club!