Lavant 7 Wittering 1
Lavant started their 2014/15 campaign with a comprehensive victory over local rivals Wittering Utd. The home side handed starts to debutants James Batten and Ross Longland in the centre of defence whilst Ollie Haggar returned for a second spell at the club to start up front.
It was a bright start by Lavant, immediately utilising their pace on the flanks to stretch the Wittering defence. Early chances fell to Haggar, forcing a smart save from the unorthodox Roser in the visitor’s goal and Hancock also firing wide.
Ten minutes in the deadlock was finally broken, a penetrating run from the busy Haggar resulting in him being clipped in the area, penalty kick, which was confidently dispatched by Brooks.
Minutes after the restart saw the home side further extend their lead with arguably the best move of the game, great combination play between Knight and Brooks resulting in a defence splitting pass from the skipper for Haggar to run through and calmly net his first of the game.
It wasn’t long until Lavant found the net again, this time Hancock beating his man and rifling at Roser who could only manage to push the ball into the side of the net.
The second half saw Alex Barnes enter the fray for Wittering and his presence told immediately finding space hit home past Sanson 2 minutes after the restart.
Lavant rocked at this point and Wittering reinvigorated by their goal could have further closed the defecate had it not been for some outstanding keeping by the inform Sanson. However, Lavant weathered the storm to mount a smart counter attack for Haggar to race clear and net his second.
Haggar was further involved with Lavant’s fifth after being clumsily brought down by Roser allowing Brooks to dispatch his second penalty kick of the game.
Lavant weren’t finished there, another defence splitting pass from the midfield saw Haggar again run clear to round Roser and tap home to complete a well deserved Hattrick.
The rout was eventually rounded off by substitute Neville, hammering home Hancock’s cross to make it seven.
Team: Neil Sanson, Matt Grace, Matt Lyttle, James Batten, Ross Longland, Aaron Hancock, Peter Caveney, James Brooks (c), Dave Knight, Ollie Haggar, Dan Mortimer. Subs: Dan Baker, Mike Neville.
