PAGHAM boss John Price feels his team are on target to meet his pre-season aim of being in the top six by Christmas.
The Lions have been playing catch-up for much of the campaign after their early-season Sussex League first-division programme was heavily disrupted by cup runs.
Now they are getting into their stride and despite, in Price’s opinion, dropping two points at Lingfield on Saturday, they are just three points behind sixth-placed Ringmer.
Price is eyeing up the next few weeks as a chance to get right on the heels of the leading pack ready for an exciting second half of the season.
Nicky Davies put Lingfield ahead on the hour but Scott Murfin and Jamie Ford’s strikes meant the Lions led with 18 minutes left - only for Fred Fleming to make it 2-2 with eight minutes left.
Price said: “I felt it was points dropped becasue we were wasteful in front of goal, which in fairness we haven’t been of late.
“We could have been three or four up by half-time and showed good character after going one down.
“That’s four win and a draw in our last five and now we’ve some important games coming up - starting at Arundel next Tuesday then against Chichester the following Saturday.
“If we can get into the top six for Christmas it gives us a chance to push on.”
Price has striker Howard Neighbour fit again after a jaw op - at a time when another of his hitmen, Scott Murfin, is in great scoring form.
Paul Jones is still a couple of weeks away from fitness after losing a couple of front teeth in a collision at St Francis.
Meanwhile, Alex Bone has resigned as Pagham reserves manager to take up the reserve-team post at Hayling United of the Wessex League.
Martin Burford and Michael Hamm have accepted the position as the new managment team for the Nyetimber Lane second string. Price said he was looking forward to working with the duo.
Pagham are trying to fix up a friendly for this Saturday, when they are not in league or cup action.