EP made to pay for early errors

Division 2 leaders EP lost 4-3 at home to Pagham in the FA Vase in October and they exited the John O’Hara Cup away to Carl Stabler’s men on Tuesday, 2-0, when they gifted the hosts two early goals.

EP left-back Lee Gibbs headed the ball into his side’s penalty area and James Temple capitalised to give Pagham the lead on 15 minutes.

Pagham then doubled their lead 10 minutes later. EP were preparing to substitute keeper Alex Bryant, who was struggling with a groin injury, but, before they had a chance to replace him, his goal kick only went 15 yards outside the penalty box and, after a quick pass, Scott Murfin notched the second.

Central-defender Niall O’Hagan then took over in goal and EP dominated possession for the rest of the game, without creating any clear chances.

The closest they went, in the second half, was when Matt Axell and substitute Lewis Hamilton both shot over, while O’Hagan was largely untroubled at the other end.

East Preston manager Dominic Di Paola said: “We gave away two poor goals in the first 25 minutes and we just didn’t get going in the first half.

“We didn’t create enough. Even though we dominated possession, the final ball just didn’t come off for us and we never really threatened their keeper.

“They scored their two goals, then sat back, let us have the ball and they deserved to win.

“They have their own way of playing, it works for them and they’re through to the next round.

“On another day, we could have done better but we’ve got to learn from our mistakes.

“We’ve played Pagham twice and Three Bridges once in cup competitions this season and, in each game, we’ve been quite dominant but have lost them all, which suggests our game plan doesn’t quite work against the top sides.”

East Preston return to league action when they host Eastbourne United on Saturday. Lee Barnard and Alex Duncan miss out through suspension and Charlie Oatway is unavailable.

EAST PRESTON: Bryant; Meehan, O’Hagan, Elliot, Gibbs; Axell, Shelley, Clark, Edwards; Gaskin, Oatway. Subs: Boutwood (Bryant 25), Hamilton (Meehan 70), Garnham (Gaskin 78), Miller.