The Winners of this season’s awards were as follows:

Saturday Teams:

Top Goal Scorer:
1st Team – Ryan Seacombe
Reserves – Ross Lines & Rhys Watling

Man of the Match Award:
1st Team – Chris Coe, James Brooks & Dave Knight
Reserves – Shaun Massey & Simon Green

Players Player:
1st Team – Matt Stevens
Reserves – Shaun Massey & Simon Green

Clubman:
1st Team – Stuart Eastwood
Reserves – Mel Milburn

Managers Player:
1st Team – Chris Coe
Reserves – Martin Ayers

Managers Award:
Jon Wright

Sunday Team:

Top Goal Scorer:
James Sandford

Players Player:
Jason Houghton

Clubman:
Mark Richardson

Managers Player:
Jason Houghton

Tom Sanctuary Shield:
Jason Houghton

This Saturday, 21st May, Lavant football club celebrated their Centenary Season in style with over 160 players, supporters and friends of the village football club, past and present attending a combined End of Season Presentation Night and Centenary Party at Lavant Village Hall.

It was a fitting and fantastic way for the club to mark the end of their Centenary Season by inviting past players and friends to attend the current team’s end of season presentation night.

Ages ranged from 17 years old player’s,  who are currently in the Lavant Youth U18 team  right through to real Lavant Legends who played for the village football team as far back as the mid to late 1940’s, such as Eric Dean and Mr Lavant himself Tony Bleach, who are both now in the early eighties.

Another Lavant Legend Pete Lovegrove who started playing for the village football team in the early 1970’s and carried on playing for Lavant right though to end of the 1990’s, some 20+ seasons, also attended the evening, bringing with him his much treasured old scrape book of  photo’s and match reports from the past.

Many of which have never been seen before, such as the 1974-1975 Season Lavant Reserves Charity Cup winning team, taken some 37 years ago at Chichester City’s ground.

Lavant Reserves Charity Cup Winners 1974 -1975 Season
Picture taken at Chichester City Ground in front of the old Club House Team: (Not in the order picutred above)
M.Sands, P.Lovegrove, D.Gray, M.Hollands, J.Court, T.Jupp, D.May, R.Massey, B.Edney, G.Pratt, G.Bailey, R.Noller

Lavant Reserves played Ford United on the Thursday 15th May at Oaklands Park. Lavant were two nil up at half time and hung on to eventually win two one on the night.

Current 1st Team Manager and village Rector Dave Parker who hosted the Centenary Party commented “you get a real sense of pride of belonging when you attend an evening as significant as this, you realise that this is the true meaning of grass roots football and the village community combined into one.

I am already planning for the forthcoming season, our one hundred and first season in local football and one that I hope will be our best season to date”.

If you want to be part of a great village football team then come along and join in with the pre-season training for next season starting in mid July on the village green. Announcements of the exact dates and start times will be published on our website and in the Observer nearer the time.

Watersfield 1 Lavant 3

After drawing with two and beating the other of the top three clubs in their last three games, Lavant visited the 4th top club on Easter Monday.

Watersfield lay 2nd in the League and needed only one point to ensure promotion. They were denied that certainty as their visitors outplayed them in Lavant’s last game of the season.

The Chichester side opened with delightful football and deserved to have taken the lead as Darren Cox twice hit the woodwork and had a shot cleared off the line in the first quarter hour. Speedy, Matt Denule cleverly lobbed the Lavant ‘keeper, Ash Rochester, but the ball bounced over.

When Dan Andrew’s cross hit the post, Denule’s shot was bravely blocked by Sid Green. But all this was against the run of play and Lavant deservedly took the lead, when Ryan Seacombe, on fire during the afternoon, outstripped his markers and laid on James Brooks opener just before the interval.

Lou Weller nearly made it two for the visitors with an intelligent lob just after the restart. Watersfield fought back but the Chichester side were solid defensively. When they did get through, Rochester blocked Denule twice and pulled off a great reaction save on 51 minutes.

At the other end, Cox forced a great stop from the home ‘keeper, Carl Sutton, before wonder man Seacombe put the visitors 2-0 in front 3 minutes later.

Then Lavant showed their inexperience by going wild for a 3rd goal. They lost shape and let Watersfield’s best player Denule put the homeside back in the game on 58 minutes.

The visitors regrouped, settled and saw the rest of the game out in a more professional manner. Seacombe’s solo run and goal 11 minutes from the end killed any hopes Watersfield might have had.

Assistant Manager, Dave Kent said: “Only 2 defeats in the last 12 games shows how far the team has come since Christmas and if we can keep the squad together this certainly raises our hopes for next season.”

Lavant: A.Rochester, C.Coe, T.Parker, J.Wright, S.Green,  L.Weller, D.Knight, J.Brooks, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: G.Ockwell, S.Eastwood.

Faygate 0 Lavant 3

A Dave Knight hat-trick gave Lavant a deserved win away to fourth in the table Faygate.

A delicious four man move on the left, set Knight up for his first as early as the 3rd minute.  Another slick combination, again involving Matt Stevens and Ryan Seacombe then lined the 18 year old up for his second on 18 minutes.

The visitors had twice in the last two games been 2-0 up only to throw the lead away; be it against the two league leaders. Here they learnt their lesson and endured Faygate’s pressure in a more professional manner.

The turning point of the match came 4 minutes before half-time when Lavant goalkeeper, Ash Rochester, saved the only sniff at goal the homeside produced, blocking Phil Jones low drive.

After the restart, Lavant placed their emphasis on protecting their lead and looking for any further goals as a bonus. This almost came in the 74th minute, after a Lavant series of one-two passes set Seacombe up but the striker’s shot was brilliantly blocked by the outstanding Josh Tricker.

Ten minutes later, Seacombe singularly worked a chance for himself but his effort hit the side-netting. Much of this had directly ensued from a double substitution as Massey and Loversidge replaced the injured Pete Cairns and Darren Cox.

It was Loversidge’s slide rule pass that allowed Cowell and Seacombe to lay on Knight’s third goal which buried the game and gave Lavant the three points.

Lavant: A.Rochester, C.Coe, D.Kennard, J.Wright, P.Cairns, S.Green,  D.Knight, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: S.Loversidge, S.Massey.

Last night Lavant Sunday’s won the Shuker Cup at Arundel Football Club beating Southbourne Sports emphatically four-nil on the night.

Lavant took an early lead with Paul Cooper scoring from a well taken free-kick with only minutes on the clock.

They then went on to dominate much of the first half as Southbourne struggled to get a real foothold in the game after conceding the early goal.  Then in the latter stages of the first half Lavant further increased their lead as Jason Houghton headed home, ensuring they now went into the break well in control of the cup final.

The second half saw Southbourne try in vain to get back into the game but they rarely able to threatened Lavants’s goal. It was that man Cooper that sealed the victory for Lavant scoring his second from another ustoppable free-kick just outside the area and then claiming his hat-trick, scoring from the penalty spot in the latter part of the game.

This victory ensured Manager Stuart Eastwoods’ Sunday squad won the double claiming the Shuker Cup and Division II Cup, a great result especially as this is our Centenary Season.

Sundays Results

Shuker Cup Final Opponents Changed

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Chichester University have been thrown out of the Cup Final as they had played two illegal players.  Lavant will now face Southbourne Sports in the final this Thursday at Arundel. 7.30pm Kick Off.

Worthing United Win the League

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B
Broadbridge Heath U18 2, Worthing United Youth 3
Southwater U18 3, Worthing Minors Athletic U18 6

Saturdays Results

West Sussex League
Division 1
Faygate 2, Hunston 3
Lavant 2, Barnham Reserves 2

Division 3 South
Angmering 1, The Ship 2
Predators 2, Selsey A 2

Lavant Team photo 16th April 2011

Back Row: Manager Dave Parker, Tom Parker, Justin Walsh, Dave Kennard, Darren Cox, Ash Rochester, Ryan Seacombe, Jon Wright, Assistant Manager Dave Kent.
Front Row: Matt Stevens, Chris Coe, Dave Knight, Dan Cowell, Simon Green, Louis Weller, Pete Cairns.
(Not in the picture but featured for the 1st Team over the season: James Brooks, Kevin Fogden, Stuart Loversidge, Neale Watts, Sam Cole, Stuart Eastwood, Matt Carver, Ben Evans, Duncan Terry, Matt Price, Greg Ockwell, Alan Sheppard, Tom Sheppard) 

Lavant 2 Barnham Reserves 2

Assistant Manager, David Kent, got it right in saying” If we are going to progress we need the ‘savez’ to see these games out professionally”. Because this was the second week running that Lavant had control of the match and let it slip through their fingers.

Last week they were 2-0 up against league leaders, Hunston , and this week 2-0 up against second in the league, Barnham.  Lavant had a dream start when Dan Cowell met Ryan Seacombe’s cross to put the homeside 1-0 in front only 3 minutes into play. But it was a lead they deserved as they counter-attacked from a strong defensive base.

Barnham were inventive using both their wings and searching balls into the channels but the homeside were up to the challenge and went further ahead from a corner as Cowell headed home 10 minutes from the interval.

It was more of the same after the restart as Lavant appeared to have learnt from last week’s mistakes and looking solid.  But Barnham never gave up probing and running and as the Chichester side tired and began to lose their shape, the visitors came close twice through Shane Corbin and forced a fine save from Ash Rochester in goal.

What Rochester achieved at one end, Gary Wimbledon matched at the other , denying Seacombe the goal that would have killed the game in Lavant’s favour.

Then 9 minutes from time Jon Wright brought Rob Gardner down in the box and Corbin gave Barnham a life-line by converting the spot kick.  Barnham’s resolve was rewarded 2 minutes before the final whistle, when Pete Cairns half clearance allowed Jake Edwards to pump the ball deep into the area for Jamie Timlick to fire home the equaliser.

Nevertheless, Lavant are now asking searching questions of the top flight teams.

Lavant: A.Rochester, C.Coe, T.Parker, J.Wright, P.Cairns, D.Knight, D.Kennard, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: S.Green, J.Walsh.

Lavant Reserves Team photo 2nd April 2011
Back Row: Manager Cliff Massey, Lewis Cook-Jones, Rhys Watling, Darren Cox, Martin Ayers, Robbie Pinder, Sam Cole, Dave Kennard.
Front Row: Ben Evans, James Brooks, Simon Green, Shay Wiggins, Shaun Massey, Dan Cowell. (Not in the picture but featured for the Reserves over the season: Manager Mel Milburn, Dave Maclean, Joe Green, Matt Carver, Matt Hine, Ross Lines, Tom Turner, Daryl Hall)

Sundays Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2
Southbourne Sports 1, Queens Park South 2

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B
Lavant Youth 0, Broadbridge Heath U18 5
Rustington Otters 1, Worthing Utd Youth 8

Lavant Youth 0 Broadbridge Heath 5

Lavant Youth U18 2010-2011 Season
Back Row: Manager Rick McKenna, Chris Webb, Callum Young, Charlie Ransom, Kieron Gilbert, Louis Cook-Jones, Luke Cotton, Lewis Finch, Manager Karl Gaffney, Linesman Adrian Parfoot.
Front Row: Ryan Parfoot, Ryan Hillier, Reece Hanson, Chris Colwell, Mwenya Chisanga, Nico House, Jamie White

Lavant’s slim hopes of silverware in their first season in the Arun & Chichester Youth Under 18 League ended this Sunday as they were convincingly beaten in their final game at home by Broadbridge Heath five-nil.

With leading scorer Chris Colwell injured and a lack of a regular goalkeeper, Lavant had to re-shuffle the squad yet again for this crucial game, as Colwell offered to play in goal.

For much of the first forty five minutes Lavant dominated, pressing the visitors back in their own half, but unfortunately failing to make their chances count on goal.

As the half drew on Broadbridge Heath started to get a foothold in the game and somewhat against the run of play they opened the scoring from a rifling shot 25 yards out, giving them a one nil lead and a slight upper hand going into the break.

The second half saw Lavant start lively once more as they pressed forward searching for an equaliser, but with 55 minutes gone the visitors yet again grabbed a goal against the run of play.

This was a critical turning point in the game as Lavant’s resolve seemed to be broken, as they now needed to score at least three times in order to keep their slim title hopes alive, a now seemingly massive uphill challenge.

Broadbridge Heath seized the opportunity and took full advantage in the remaining half hour of the game as they pressed forward and added another three goals to their tally before the final whistle.

After the match Lavant sportingly congratulated Broadbridge Heath on their result, which now puts them in pole position to win the league title.

However with fellow league title contenders Worthing Utd Youth beating Rustington Otters resoundingly eight-one, it consigned Lavant to have to settle for third place in the league, as well as ensuring the league title would go right to the wire and be decided in the final league game of the season when Broadbridge Heath host Worthing Utd Youth, needing a win or a draw to become league champions.

Lavant: C.Colwell, N. House, L. Cotton, K. Gilbert, M. Chisanga, R. Parfoot, L. Cook-Jones, R. Hanson, C.Ransom, C. Webb, C. Young. Subs: L.Finch, R.Hillier, J.White

Saturdays Results

West Sussex League
Division 1
Holbrook 1, Barnham Reserves 2
Hunston 3, Lavant 3
Newtown Villa Reserves 0, Faygate 0
Watersfield 1, Capel 2

Division 3 South
Selsey A 3, Angmering Reserves 1
The Sportsman 4, Rustington Park Seniors 2

Hunston 3 Lavant 3

Regarded by many as the best team in the Division and tipped for promotion to the Premiership, Hunston entertained locals Lavant at Selsey Road.

Lavant started the more brightly and looked defensively sound with stand in ‘keeper, Stuart Eastwood, putting in a great performance. The visitors opened the scoring when Dave Knight’s 19th minute cross evaded Hunston ‘keeper, Rob Chiverton, to put the visitors ahead. Dan Cowell’s cross laid on the goal for Ryan Seacombe to extend the lead 10 minutes before half-time.

At the restart Hunston upped the tempo and changed formation from 4-3-3, which the Chichester side’s pre-match plan had successfully negated. Lavant’s inexperience in defending their 2-0 lead was quickly exploited when first Shaun Jenkins side footed home Carl Thompson’s unselfish pass on 53 minutes and Dave Turner headed Ben Meredith’s cross home to level the score 4 minutes later.

But the visitors forced their way back into the game and when consistent pressure forced a corner, Cowell put the visitors ahead again from a series of ricochets in the goalmouth just after the hour.

Again inexperience told. Lavant had a throw in near the homeside’s goal and instead of exercising caution to see their 3-2 lead out, they flooded the Hunston penalty area.

Consequently, when the move broke down Lavant were stretched by their opponents counterattack and Pete Cairns was adjudged to have brought down his breakaway opponent in the box.   Adam Davis expertly dispatched the ensuing penalty to give Hunston a valuable point in their promotion challenge.

Lavant Manager, David Parker, said “It is a measure how far we’ve come this season that the team went home disappointed with their drawn game against the best in Division One, feeling they should have won. But we learnt two valuable lessons from our inexperience today.”

Lavant: S.Eastwood, C.Coe, T.Parker, J.Wright, P.Cairns, D.Knight, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: D.Kennard, S.Green.

Lavant Youth’s Title Hopes Dented

Lavant’s hopes of silverware in their first season in the under 18 league took a setback on Sunday when they were unexpectedly beaten away from home 2-1 to Worthing Minors Athletic Youth.

However even though league leaders Broadbridge Heath won, all is not totally lost as we have to play them next week at home in our final game of the season.

And when we win that game we will go top by one point.   Broadbridge Heath will however have one game remaining against the team currently in 3rd place Worthing United Youth.

So it could then go right down to the wire as all three teams can win the league.

If we win on Sunday and the results go our way and Rustington Otters beat Worthing United Youth, then it will be down to the last game between Broadbridge Heath vs Worthing United Youth.

And if Worthing United Youth draw or beat Broadbridge Heath then Lavant would win the league.

Up the Lavant  

Sundays Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2
Queens Park South 4, Lavant 2

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B
Predators Youth 1, Broadbridge Heath U18 4
Rustington Otters 2, Worthing Rebels Youth 1
Worthing Minors Athletic U18 2, Lavant Youth 1

Saturdays Results

West Sussex League
Division 1
Barnham Reserves 0, Hunston CC 3
Faygate 6, Stedham 0
Newtown Villa Reserves 11, Ashington Rovers 1
Watersfield 1, Holbrook 0

Division 3 South
Lavant Reserves 5, The Ship 0
The Sportsman 0, Square Deal 4

Lavant Reserves 5 The Ship 0

Going in to April, Lavant Reserves remained top of Division III South.

But with teams under them in the league having games in hand, they had to ensure they kept their slim title hopes alive by winning there last game of the season at home against The Ship.

Lavant fielding a strong side started the game impressively and immediately hemmed the visitors back in their own half for much of the opening 30 minutes.

As a result The Ship were getting frustrated at their lack of possession and inability to get a foothold into the game, as Lavant played some great possession football, passing the ball all over the pitch and forging numerous opportunities on to score.

Then as the half progressed the frustration switched to the Lavant players, as no matter how hard they tried they could not convert their chances, with Rhys Watling, Louis Cook-Jones, Dan Cowell, Sam Cole and Shaun Massey all going close to opening the scoring.

With The Ship’s goalkeeper in brilliant form and the frustrations of the homeside becoming evident the team somewhat lost its shape as everyone pushed forward in the search of the opening goal, so the free flowing football diminished and the visitors suddenly were given the opportunity to get back into the game with their more direct route one approach.

To everyone’s amazement, referee Alex Anderson blew his whistle for half time as somehow the score was drawn level at nil-nil and both teams still had everything to play for in the second half.

During the break Lavant manager Cliff Massey seized his opportunity to reassure the players that goals would come as long as they carried on with the same level of commitment, but more importantly kept their shape and played together as a team.

The half time talk seemed to work wonders, as Lavant once more took control of the game playing some lovely possession football, which paid off minutes later as Shay Wiggins cross was met by a lovely glancing headed by Dan Cowell, beating the keeper and scoring into the corner of the goal, 1-0.

The Ships morale was somewhat deflated and so Lavant took advantage swiftly adding another as this time the provider turned goal-scorer as Wiggins score Lavant’s second of the game, 2-0.

Now sensing a big score Lavant once more lost the discipline as they pushed forward, but The Ship who were still battling on were lively on the counterattack and they should have pulled one back, but for a great one handed save from keeper Robbie Pinder denied them.

This was a real wake up call for the homeside who once more upped their game and Rhys Watling added another to the Lavant’s tally, effectively killing off the visitors hopes of getting back into the game, 3-0.

With The Ship suffering a late injury to a player and with no spare substitutes they were forced to play out the remainder of the game with only 10 men and Lavant were quick to take advantage, as they added two more before the final whistle with substitute’s James Brooks and Darren Cox both getting onto the score sheet, 5-0.

Lavant: R.Pinder, B.Evans, S.Green, M.Ayers, D.Kennard, S.Wiggins, D.Cowell, S.Massey, L.Cook-Jones, R.Watling, S.Cole.  Subs: J.Brooks, D.Cox.