Lavant has been awarded the Team of the Season award for the first time since the award has been presented back in 1988-89 when Steyning Old Grammarians won the award.

The award is given to the team in the upper divisions (Premier to Division 3 which includes around 6o teams) who scores most points.

Points System 3 = WIN 1 = Draw 20 = Bonus for no cautions Less any penalty points incurred 5 = Sending Off 2 = Caution

Lavant were awarded with a team of the season trophy and a cheque for £200from the league and sponsors Covers.

What a way to sign-off the end of the 2011-2012 season and prepare us for the new season as we compete in the Premier League.

This year’s end of Season Presentation Night was again held at the Earl of March on the Friday the 11^th May with 52 people attending.

We would like to thank Giles & Ruth and their team at the Earl of March for all their efforts in ensuring we had a really great evening.

Also we would like to thank everyone within the club that helped before and during the presentation night, to ensure that this was a really great evening.

With special thanks going out to James, Matt and Mike who produced the video.  Especially our 1st team clubman Matt Lyttle was well impressed as announced to everyone during the presentation.

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

Saturday Teams:

Top Goal Scorer:
1st Team – Ryan Seacombe
Reserves – Martin Ayers, Sam Cole & Dan Mortimer

Man of the Match Award:1st Team – Dave Knight
Reserves – Rob Baylis

At the start of the season faced with the exodus of a number of players, plus the problems caused by the visiting travellers which completely wrecked our pre-season programme, we set ourselves just the one goal, that of survival in Division I.

But it was not long before the new look team started to gel and the results started to roll in.

Unbeaten in the league going into the New Year, our focus changed to that of gaining promotion to the West Sussex Premier league.

Then in the final two months of the season we set ourselves three goals.  Firstly promotion, secondly to win the league and thirdly finish the season unbeaten and the mission was accomplished on all three fronts on the 14^th April when Lavant convincingly beat local rivals East Dean 4-1 in their final game of the season.

Lavant were in fact only one of two teams to go unbeaten in their league out of a total of one hundred and fourteen teams that played in the West Sussex football league. A truly great achievement for the village football team

Next Friday (11^th May) we are holding our end of season presentation night at the Earl of March. Dress is smart casual and please arrive for 6.45pm with the aim to sit down around 7.15pm.

We have a number of awards to present on the night including Top Goal Scorer, Man of the Match, Managers Player, a combined Managers Award, plus awards the players have specifically voted for and this season’s nominations for the Players Player, Clubman and Miss of the Season are as follows:

1^st Team Players Player Nominees:

Matt Stevens, Ben Burgavie, Ryan Seacombe, James Brooks, Dave Knight, Neil Sanson, Jon Wright.

Reserves Team Players Player Nominees:

Greg Ockwell, Rob Baylis, Nathan Richards, Dave Maclean, Matt Grace, Martin Ayers.

1^st Team Clubman Nominees:

James Brooks Matt Lyttle, Dave Kent, Dave Parker, Jon Wright, Mike Neville, Matt Stevens, Matt Grace, Greg Ockwell.

Reserve Team Clubman Nominees:

Guy Pinder, Mel Milburn, Dave Maclean, Matt Grace, Nathan Richards, James Brooks.

1^st Team Miss of the Season Nominees:

Ryan Seacombe, Louis Weller, Mike Bartley, Ross Lines.

Reserve Team Miss of the Season Nominees:

Duncan Terry, Sam Cole, Matt Grace, Dan Mortimer, Martin Ayers, Robbie Pinder.

Presentation Night Guests

It also seems fitting at this year’s Presentation Night we have two special guests, Jon Squires and Richard Sims.

Richard (sun glasses) & John watching the Southwater game on the green

Both are ex Lavant players who Played for Lavant for many seasons and in fact actually played for the 1^st Team the last time Lavant won Division I and won promotion to the West Sussex Football League back in the 1975-76 Season.

They also continue to support the village football club they love and no matter what the weather they do their up-most to attend every 1^st team and Reserve team home game.

Lavant 4 East Dean 1

For the Visitors, this was a must win game to avoid relegation and East Dean dominated the opening phase of the game, coming close to scoring in the 8^th and 10^th minutes.

Mike Bartley on the ball

Lavant, devoid of incentive, were very slow to start but gradually eased their way into the game. Then a neat one two between Stuart Loversidge and Ryan Seacombe saw the Loversidge put Lavant ahead in the 18^th minute, celebrating his return from injury with the goal.

No 9 Stuart Loversidge opens the scoring

The homeside with their focus now back on winning the game clipped the visitors’ cross bar six minutes later, before Matt Grace converted a Dave Knight free kick, heading in form close range and giving Lavant a 2-0 lead on 26 minutes.

Matt Grace head’s in Lavant’s second

Moments from the restart Dean ‘keeper, Simon Hooper, brilliantly denied Knight as the homeside pressed for a third goal.  On 37 minutes the pressure told as Grace’s corner kick was headed home by captain Matt Stevens further increasing the lead.

First team manager Dave Parker organising the team from the sidelines.  ” Keep it Yellow”

East Dean were quick to respond as Aron Freeman who shone throughout the afternoon pulled one back for the visitors 3 minutes before the interval.

Sam Cole in the scamble in the box

Lavant played better in the second half, with Loversidge shaving the bar and Hooper pulling off a series of fine saves from Seacombe and Bartley, to deny the homeside further increasing their lead.

Ryan Seacombe on the ball

Seacombe, eager to win the leading goalscorer award for the Division, eventually beat the agile Hooper with a goal in added time to ensure the Lavant finished the season undefeated.

Team work brings results

At the end of the game League Committee representative, Jim Hawkins presented the Team with the Division One Championship Cup and the players with their medals to round the season off.

First team captain Matt Stevens raises the League cup

Lavant: N.Sanson, C.Coe, J.Wright, B.Purgavie, M.Lyttle, M.Grace, M.Stevens, D.Knight, M.Bartley, R.Seacombe, S.Loversidge. Subs: S.Cole, N.Latham, M.Hine, J.Brooks

Giles and Ruth the landlords of the Earl of March have once more very kindly offered us the opportunity to hold our End of Season Do at the pub.

At the last end of season do we had a great turn out, approaching 80 people, which was just about the maximum capacity for the venue.  So to ensure your not disappointed this year please pay your money in full as soon as possible.

Finally it takes a lot of work behind the scene’s to organise the evening. All we ask is that you promptly confirm your attendance plus partner, select your food options, pay your money and then come and enjoy the evening. Thanks

Meet 6.45pm, to sit down and eat at 7.15pm.
Smart Dress.
The Meal is £20 per head.

Payment MUST be made in full no later than the end of April, including your selection of food (those selecting steak please also state how it is to be cooked, medium, rare etc) to your nominated collector.

Full menu to be confirmed

Main Course:
1. Beer Battered Haddock, Hand Cut Chips.
2. Steak & Hand Cut Chips.
3. Pot Roast Breast of Corn Fed Chicken TBC
4. Vegetarian Option TBC

5. Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream.
6. Triple Chocolate Brownie.
7. Selection of Ice Creams or Sorbets.
8. Regional Cheese, Quince Jelly & Oat Cakes.

The final fixtures have been announced.

The Reserves fixtures have been completed.

The 1st Team’s final fixture is on the 14th April.
This game is at home to East Dean and will be played on the top pitch, Raughmere Park.  Kick-off is at 3.00pm and the 1st Team will be presented with the Division I Winners Cup and medals.
So come along and support the Champions.

The Sunday Team have two more league fixtures.
15th April at home to Wittering Utd and on the 19th April away to Nyetimber Pirates.

They also have a cup final.  The Chichester Sunday Charity Cup vs The Old Barn A.  Date and venue to be confirmed.

Saturdays League Results

Division ONE
Holbrook 3 Faygate 0
Petworth 4 East Dean 0
Yapton 4 Southwater 1
Lavant 2 Hunston CC Reserves 2

Division TWO SOUTH
Fittleworth 3 Stedham 0
Predators 3 Fernhurst 1

Lavant 2 Hunston CC Reserves 2

Lavant maintained their season’s undefeated league run, despite a lack-lustre second half display. They were given a dream start when Ryan Seacombe put them in front after only 4 minutes.

The homeside produced their best form in the last 25 minutes of the first half and justly went 2-0 in front through Mike Bartley. Seacombe went close to adding a third just before the interval.

But, Lavant faded after the restart and Hunston to their credit never gave up battling. The visitors deservedly got themselves back in the game when Ian Newnham headed against the bar and headed home the rebound on 59 minutes.

Despite their poor second half performance, Lavant created enough chances to bury the game with Steve Chiddle in the Hunston goal making a series of impressive saves, and when he was beaten, Bartley’s shot from Lyttle’s cross hit the bar. When, Ben Purgavie was adjudged to have brought William Hughes down in the Lavant penalty area, Newnham hit the equaliser from the spot-kick with 3 minutes left to play.

Lavant assistant manager Dave Kent commented: “We took the opportunity to incorporate several reserve players to lay the ground for next season and are happy to have remained undefeated”.

Lavant: N.Sanson, C.Coe, J.Wright, B.Purgavie, N.Latham, M.Grace, M.Stevens, D.Knight, M.Lyttle, R.Seacombe, M.Bartley. Subs: S.Walder, M.Hine.

Reserves Game Cancelled

Lavant Reserves final game of the season has been cancelled at short notice becuase Barnham III’s are unable to field a team.

It is so frustrating sometimes when you prepare for a fixture and right at the last moment the opponent’s pull out.

Looking on the positive we will at least get the 3 points. But if will not be enough by most probably 1 point to escape relegation.

So this weekend there is now no fixtures for either Lavant Saturday side’s.

Next week the 1st team host Hunston Reserves at home.  To help the cricket club prepare the square on the green, this game and our final home game against East Dean in early April will be played on the top pitch, Raughmere Park.

Back row left to right: David Kent, Neil Latham, Sam Cole, Ryan Seacombe, Jon Wright, Captain Matt Stevens, Neil Sanson, Matt Lyttle, Simon Walder, Manager Dave Parker, Louis Weller.

Front Row left to right: Chris Coe, James Brooks, Dave Knight, Mike Bartley, Mike Neville, Greg Ockwell, Ben Purgavie.

(Not in the team photo but featured for the first team over the season: Stuart Loversidge, Matt Hine, Matt Grace,
Stuart Eastwood, Rob Baylis, Matt Price and Richard Gabb). 

This Saturday Lavant first team secured the league title with two games to spare.  They beat Cowfold Reserves 3-1 to bring their tally to 54 league points, one more point than current second placed Faygate can obtain if they won all their 7 remaining games.

With the title now secure the first team now can relax and enjoy their two remaining fixtures, although they have still set themselves the target of finishing the season unbeaten in the league.

At the end of March they are at home to Hunston Reserves and their final game in April at home to East Dean.

Lavant 3 Cowfold Reserves 1

Dave Knight’s 39^th minute goal secured the West Sussex League Division One Title for Lavant at The Jungle.

The league leaders started brightly with swift and fluid passing, forcing Cowfold’s ‘keeper, Matt Beck, into two fine saves in the first eight minutes.

When Beck was beaten by Mike Bartley’s conversion of James Brooks cross, the striker’s effort grazed the post.

The visitor’s produced only one half chance from a free kick which defender, Josh Harris fired over the Lavant crossbar half way through the first half.

The homeside’s pressure was finally rewarded when Ryan Seacombe stabbed home Bartley’s cross in the 27^th minute.

Cowfold maintained a resolute 4-5-1 defence, relying on swift counterattacks. After their Anthony Parsons went off the pitch, following a head injury and was waived back on by referee, Mark Weller, his unmarked presence gave him Cowfold’s first real shooting chance. Lavant ‘keeper, Neil Sanson, had it covered but it deflected off a Lavant defender into the net just after the half hour, drawing the game level.

The homeside restored their lead once more with Knight’s goal and Bartley nearly added another just on half-time but his strike shaved the bar.

At the restart, Lavant retained ball possession for long spells with Beck again denying Bartley, Mike Neville shooting over and Seacombe being denied a goal for a very tight offside decision.

The game was eventually put beyond Cowfold’s reach when Bartley netted on 84 minute. At the whistle, the homeside celebrated on the pitch and the joy was summed up by a very happy Mrs Sharon Knight who consuming her third glass of champagne declared:” I can’t believe I gave birth to the lad whose goal secured the Title”.

Lavant: N.Sanson, C.Coe, J.Wright, B.Purgavie, M.Lyttle, M.Neville, J.Brooks,  M.Stevens, D.Knight, R.Seacombe, M.Bartley.  Subs: N.Latham, S.Cole, S.Walder, G.Ockwell