Category: Old News 2005 / 2006

A freezing cold day and a swirling wind greeted these two combatants in this hard fought local Division II derby.

Lavant overcame their lack luster performance of the previous week and it became quickly evident that both teams were mentally focused on the match in hand. The majority of the first half was therefore generally battled out in the midfield zone as each team defended their goals well. Lavant had a number of good chances from a succession of corners but were unable to make them count and take advantage of the prevailing wind in the first half.

Holden was excellent for the homeside. Acting as target man he held the ball well and brought the midfield into the game. His efforts eventually manufactured a move that almost gave Chi Hospitals the lead, when the Hospitals winger broke free on the left hand side, however his final shot was palmed onto the cross bar and to safety by Lavant’s stand-in keeper Dave Kent ensuring that the tie remained goalless at half time.

The visitors started the second half well working as a much more compact unit and forcing Chichester Hospitals to continually play the ball across the field and in front of the defence, not allowing them to be able to take full advantage of the strong wind.

Lavant’s Mike Martin had been brought forward from his role as full back in the first half into central midfield and just before the hour Martin latched onto a great Lavant move initiated by Stuart Loversidge and turned into the box by ex-Chi Hospitals player Daryl Hall. Parker’s run pulled a defender wide and as third man running Martin burst through into the spare space collected the ball, ran around the outcoming keeper and side footed the ball into the net giving Lavant the lead, 0-1.

Veteran Steve Jeffkins orchestrated Hospital’s continued attempts to get on equal terms, putting the Lavant defense of Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Guy Pinder and Daryl Hall under periods of continued pressure and forcing Dave Kent in the Lavant goal to pull of a number of breathtaking saves.

With the introduction of the experienced Lavant substitute Simon Watling who with immediate effect started controlling the pace of the game in midfield and Martin’s replacement Andy Strange shoring up the defence, Lavant held on to the end, maintaining their slender lead and ensuring they took all three valuable points.

On the 4th February Lavant are home to Yapton Reserves in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Dave Kent, Mike Martin, Martin Ayers, Jon Strange, Giles Weller, Dan Johnson, Chris Bowles, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Tom Parker. Subs: Andy Strange, Simon Watling, Guy Pinder. Manager: Dave Parker.

Lodsworth deservedly marched on to their sixth win in a row against a lethargic Lavant side. The home team were mentally unprepared, whilst Lodsworth were fast, alert and disciplined as a unit, marshalled by Slade playing in the sweeper role.

The visitors pinned Lavant in their own half and Thorpe hit the post with only 14 minutes gone of the match. This was a sign of things to come. Four minutes later, the visitors went ahead after forcing a corner on the left from which James Rennick headed home, 0-1.

On the half hour Simon Watling came close to levelling for Lavant but his effort was well saved by the Lodsworth keeper, who quickly launched an up-field ball setting Andrew Newell free, who’s first time shot bounced off the Lavant post and into the back of the net, leaving Lavant keeper Martin Pullen with no chance, giving Lodsworth a commanding two nil lead, 0-2.

The second goal finally spurred Lavant into some kind of action and 5 minutes before half time the home team pulled one back when Stuart Loversidge headed in at the far post from close range following a Matt Hine corner, 1-2.

At half time Lavant reshuffled their team in order to strengthen the midfield and this seemed to work as they dominated the opening 20 minutes of the second half. A scramble near the visitor’s goal line saw Watling pull the ball back for substitute Ben Thomas to rocket in the equalizer from 18 yards on 76 minutes, deservedly bringing Lavant on level terms, 2-2.

All this hard work was then instantly undone one minute later as Lodsworth scored the easiest of goals straight from the restart. Lavant’s mental concentration on the game lapsed the minute they equalized and so were caught napping as Lodsworth passed there way though the Lavant half leaving Martin Baker to score the easiest of goals from close range to restore visitors lead once more, 2-3.

For the remaining 12 minutes a deflated Lavant failed to make any real impact on the game and so Lodsworth’s triumph and Lavant’s despair was completed when Craig Thorpe hit the top corner on 89 minutes sealing victory, 2-4.

On the 28th January Lavant are away to Chichester Hospitals in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Mike Martin, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Giles Weller, Dan Johnson, Andy Strange, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Simon Watling. Subs: Ben Thomas, Guy Pinder, Dave Kent. Manager: Dave Parker.

Lavant continued their 100% league form for 2006 by inflicting only the second league Div II defeat this season on the high flying Lancing Utd.

The homeside were first out of the blocks and dominated the first 20 minutes of this enthralling match on the green and Lavant’s early pressure was soon rewarded when the homeside were awarded a freekick in the opponents ‘d’ on the edge of the area. Leading goalscorer Tom Parker stepped up and confidently bent the ball low around the Lancing wall into the bottom corner of the net on 5 minutes, 1-0.

Parker was there again to end a great Lavant move with a stinging 16 yard shot which produced a great save from the Lancing keeper Dale Jones. From the ensuing corner the ball bobbled about in the Lancing penalty area before Parker scored from a stunning overhead kick to put Lavant 2-0 ahead on 20 minutes.

Lancing however is a team of great class and worked hard to get back into the game. Minutes later Andrew Bartlett collect the ball out wide on the right for the visitors then skipped past the fullback Giles Weller and crossed to the incoming Chris Lawrence at the near post who side footed the ball into the back of the net on 27 minutes, 2-1.

The visitors showed great character and worked hard in their fight back and forced a corner 6 minutes before half time. The resulting in swinger was beaten down by the Lavant keeper Martin Pullen at the near post but the ball fell loose and into the path of Chris Mahony who drilled the ball into the back of the net putting the visitors on level terms, 2-2. Lavant soaked up the pressure for the remainder of the half but relied on Pullen pulling off a great save to keep the homeside on level terms going into the break.

The second half was a delight to watch. Pullen made two more fine saves as Lancing continued to pile on the pressure. Lavant then made some key substitutions in an effort to inject palpable energy into the homeside, with Robbie Pinder, Mike Martin and Chris Bowles all entering the fray. This seemed to work and the game was now evenly balanced and wide open as both teams failed to take chances to take the lead. However with a quarter of an hour remaining and with no one breaking the deadlock it look that the game was heading for a draw.

As observed in previous matches, Lavant have tended to defend too deep in the last 15 minutes of the game. However on this occasion they seemed to have learnt their lesson and continued to press Lancing back into their own half. The result was that this time the late goal fell to Lavant when Stuart Loversidge was released on 83 minutes by a penetrating pass from Matt Hine. The Lavant striker held off a strong challenge from Lancing’s central defender to fire the ball under the body of the advancing keeper and secure all three points, capping a great performance from the whole Lavant squad.

On the 21st January Lavant are home to Lodsworth in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Giles Weller, Ben Thomas, Andy Strange, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Tom Parker. Subs: Robbie Pinder, Chris Bowles, Mike Martin. Manager: Dave Parker.

Lavant took all three points in this clash at the bottom of Division 2 on Saturday.

The home side were in charge of the game but had to wait until the 29th minute for midfielder Matt Hine to unleash an unstoppable 20 yard drive into the bottom corner, 1-0.

Lavant could have taken the lead earlier when striker Stuart Loversidge had his 19th minute shot superbly saved by keeper Matthew Jackson. Just before the goal, Daryl Hall also shot wide from eight yards after a superb six-man move build up.

Loversidge then bagged a brace when Hine put him through on the left on 35 minutes and his shot was deflected past Jackson by Hunston defender Louis Weller, 2-0.

Just two minutes later a move involving Hall and Loversidge allowed the latter to execute an overhead kick into the net from 18 yards, 3-0.

The second half continued in the same vein but Hunston’s hard working veteran Richard Netley fired just over the bar from 25 yards which confirmed that Hunston were still full of fighting spirit.

The game was put beyond doubt when Loversidge was released on the right and his cross was headed home by fellow striker Tom Parker on 48 minutes, 4-0.

Another Loversidge, Parker interchange helped Chris Bowles to come close to making it 5-0, three minutes later.

Hine hit the post for the home team before seeing Justin Smith brought down when the Lavant full-back tried to cut inside for a shot on goal. From the ensuing free-kick Hine named his target before sweetly clipping the ball on to substitute Robbie Pinder’s head, who nodded it in for number five on 72 minutes, 5-0.

After the fifth goal Lavant, however fell back into their old bad habit of defending too deeply during the last quarter of an hour and so were somewhat lucky at full time to emerge with a clean sheet from the Hunston pressure.

On the 14th January Lavant are at home to Lancing Utd in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Giles Weller, Ben Thomas, Mike Martin, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Tom Parker. Subs: Robbie Pinder, Chris Bowles, Andy Strange. Manager: Dave Parker.

Lavant were just edged out on Saturday in a close and hard fought Division 2 game between these two highly-motivated teams.

The home side made the better of the opening exchanges and had a great chance to take the lead when a across from Dan Johnson was flicked on by the head of Simon Watling, but Stuart Loversidge miscued his shot.

Mike Martin, who was magnificent in the midfield for Lavant, put Watling through again who touched onto Loversidge, but the Stedham keeper Karl Cobbard saved with his legs from the striker’s shot.

Stedham were well organized and their persistence was rewarded when Justin Ballard fired in off the crossbar from ten yards following a half-cleared corner, 0-1.

But a minute before half time, Stuart Loversidge brilliantly volleyed home a deep cross from Lavant full back Giles Weller, 1-1.

After the break, Lavant keeper Martin Pullen made two good saves to thwart the Stedham attack. But the save of the match was executed by Cobbald, to deny the ubiquitous Loversidge from 12 yards out.

The two sides were evenly matched and the match seemed to be heading for a draw when Lavant, as in previous games, yielded space to their opponents during the last 15 minutes. From a Stedham corner an almighty scramble took place in the Lavant goalmouth before central defender Matt Letley forced the ball into the net with only seven minutes left to deny Lavant a point.

Lavant’s next game is at home to Hunston CC on the 7th January 06, in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Giles Weller, Dan Johnson, Mike Martin, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Simon Watling. Subs: Robbie Pinder, Chris Bowles. Manager: Dave Parker.

Lavant bounced back from their recent cup defeat to control the first half of this Division II league match. Lavant worked well as a unit and Stuart Loversidge, Daryl Hall and Dan Johnson all came close to opening the scoring with some well crafted football, all of which somewhat took the home side by surprise, who for much of the first half struggled to get out of their own half.

After 40 minutes continued pressure the break through finally came for Lavant after Matt Hine’s corner was poorly headed out of the Rustington six-yard box allowing Dan Johnson to latch onto the clearance and superbly volley into the top corner of the Rustington net, 0-1.

Mintues later Loversidge almost put Lavant 2-0 up but his shot was yet again excellently saved by the Rustington keeper who continued to keep Rustington in the game and so ensured that Lavant went into the interval with just a one goal lead.

Rustington worked hard from the restart but were held at bay effectively by the visitors apart from a curling shot which bounced off the post into the Lavant keeper Martin Pullen’s arms on 49 minutes. Lavant failed to continue to pressure the home side as they did in the first half and started to defend too deep leaving a too greater gap between midfield and their two hard working strikers Stuart Loversidge and Robbie Pinder.

This allowed Rustington to effectively camp themselves in Lavant’s half for the remainder of the game. Roger Morton fired just over the bar and then the most farcical of goals resulted from a Rustington freekick on the edge of the box. Lavant successfully blocked the kick, but muffed the clearance which bounced back to Pullen who completely missed the ball with his clearance kick, only to watch the ball pass him and trickled onto the post allowing Hancock to stroll in and side foot the ball into an empty net on 69 minutes, 1-1.

Rustington were now well and truly in the driving seat and maintained their pressure for the remainder of the second half, however Lavant held out until the final whistle, with the game ending in a draw. Over the 90 minutes Rustington deserved a draw, but Lavant must learn to defend their leads by maintaining shape and not defending so deep.

On the 31st December Lavant are home to Stedham in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Simon Blackman, Giles Weller, Dan Johnson, Tom Parker, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Robbie Pinder. Subs: Chris Bowles, Mike Martin, Dave Kent. Manager: Dave Parker.

The difference in class between premiership division team Loxwood and two divisions below them Lavant was evidenced in the score-line in this third round Centenary Cup clash.

Throughout, the homeside were full of movement with great inside out and outside in diagonal runs in the attacking third. However, Lavant also compounded this difference in divisions by freezing like “rabbits in the car headlights.” The visitors stood off most tackles and Lavant keeper Martin Pullen seemed untypically routed to the spot when Craig Grantham was set free to score on 6 and 11 minutes, 2-0.

Another elementary mistake by captain and central defender Martin Ayers then let Nick Heaton in for Loxwood’s third on the half hour, 3-0.

After a great save by Pullen, the Lavant keeper then went on a wild Groebelar chase out of his goal only to see Allcock fire into the vacant net on 37 minutes, making it 4-0.

The only Loxwood goal not gifted by Lavant came 3 minutes from half time when Grantham completed his hat-trick, 5-0.

Whatever happened in the Lavant dressing room, the visitors came out a different team for the second half. The individual nerves and mistakes had gone; the team began playing as a cohesive unit and Loxwood had to work much harder forcing the best out of the homeside.

Stuart Loverside hooked a left lob just over the bar for Lavant and substitute Tom Parker’s shot went over the bar from close range, adding to his recent repertoire of misses, all in an attempt get Lavant on the score sheet. However Loxwood still maintained control of the game and their ultimate superiority was eventually converted into further goals, firstly when Grantham scored a terrific goal on 57 minutes and secondly when Sawyer pounced the quickest and scored on 79 minutes after Pullen had pulled off a magnificent save turning a close range shot onto his cross bar, 7-0.

At the final whistle, Loxwood the current cup holders easily advanced into the next round of the competition. Lavant however who clearly never turned up for the first half of this game, but did re-group and play more as a team second half, battling for each other and the club, need to at least take the positives from this match and build on the spirit, organization and self belief shown in the second half performance and carry this over into the forthcoming weeks league programme.

Next week Lavant are away to Rustington Reserves in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Mike Martin, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Giles Weller, Dan Johnson, Andy Strange, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Robbie Pinder. Subs: Tom Parker, Dave Kent. Manager: Dave Parker.

Petworth’s recent run of wins came to an end at the Lavant Green in this League Division II clash.

In the first 10 minutes, the game was evenly balanced. Then a seemingly innocuous through ball from Petworth’s Robbie Levett released Martin Dillon, who should have been adequately dealt with by Lavant defender Giles Weller and goalkeeper Martin Pullen, however indecision between the two let Dillon nip in and stab the ball in the back of the net, giving the visitors the lead on 15 minutes, 0-1.

Following the re-start Lavant gradually took control of the game creating numerous chances all of which Simon Watling narrowly failed to convert. Eventually however Stuart Loversidge was set free on the right and his pace and accurate finishing finally drew Lavant level on 28 minutes, 1-1.

Lavant seemed untroubled from Petworth except on corners and set pieces where Robinson was always an aerial threat. With minutes of the half remaining the home side’s ascendancy was deservedly rewarded when Watling, much sharper than in the last few weeks, put Lavant ahead, by beating the Petworth keeper to the ball on the edge of the box and then lobbing the ball over the stranded keeper into the back of the visitors net, 2-1.

The second half saw Petworth step up a gear and Lavant keeper Martin Pullen had to make two fine saves in order to maintain Lavant’s slim lead. But again the homeside began to control the game and on 58 minutes Daryl Hall had the ball in the back of the net for Lavant’s third, but unfortunately after some debate between the referee and linesman it was ruled out for offside.

In the last 15 minutes, Petworth sought for the equalizer mainly because Lavant sat back and defended to deep. The home side launched an attack that saw four shots frantically blocked by the Petworth defenders and the fifth, which was goal bound struck Lavant winger Hall and was defected out of danger. Petworth quickly launched a counterattack straight from the rebound and salvaged 2 points when Robinson equalized from close range with only 5 minutes remaining, 2-2.

Both teams saw out the remainder of the match settling in the end for a draw.

Next week Lavant are away to Loxwood in the Centenary cup. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Simon Blackman, Giles Weller, Ben Thomas, Mike Martin, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Simon Watling. Subs: Robbie Pinder, Mark Richardson, Andy Strange. Manager: Dave Parker.

Worthing secured all 3 points in this Division II league clash by taking virtually the only two chances that fell to them and by playing securely as a unit over the whole 90 minutes.

Lavant nevertheless began well and dominated the first quarter of an hour pressing hard into the visitors half.

It was from a long clearance as a result of this pressure that gained Worthing their opening goal. Lavant full back Simon Blackman had lots of time but no Lavant player bothered to tell him, so his hurried attempt to volley the ball clear failed miserably letting the visitor’s winger in on the right. His subsequent cross was excellently met by Ryan Bartlett who headed the ball over the keeper and home on 28 minutes, 0-1.

Lavant continued to push forward and get back into the game and a Worthing clearance fell to Parker whose 40 yard lob nearly caught out the keeper but it dropped just wide of the post.

Lavant’s pressure resulted in a corner. Again the visitors cleared and a following a complete mix up between Parker and Blackman just inside Lavant’s half, Worthing’s Greg Woods gratefully received the ball and run on to goal, tucking away the visitors second at an unfortunate time for Lavant just two minutes before the interval, 0-2.

Lavant to their credit came out fighting second half pressing Worthing straight from kick off and were deserving a goal. From a great Lavant move Parker arrived late in the box and was stretching when his effort as per the second week in a row went wide of the empty goal, hitting over from just 3 yards out.

Mark Richardson then from the edge of the box forced a great save from the Worthing keeper Matt Labrum. Matt Hine who was excellent all match in the midfield for Lavant fired a free kick just under the bar only to see Labrum pluck it out the air and again deny the home side.

Worthing was always a threat on the break but Lavant dealt with this problem well and in the main spent the majority of the second period camped in the Worthing half. Worthing’s compact professional defending made it hard for Lavant to make any inroads and so never conceded even with continued pressure and added determination from substitutes Chris Bowles and Andy Strange, seeing out the game and securing a good away win.

Next week Lavant are home to Petworth in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Simon Blackman, Daryl Hall, Ben Thomas, Tom Parker, Matt Hine, Mark Richardson, Stuart Loversidge, Robbie Pinderr. Subs: Mike Martin, Chris Bowles, Andy Strange. Manager: Dave Parker.

Both teams were slow to start this match and for the first 15 minutes neither side threatened the opposing goal.

Then on 17 minutes Clymping took a surprised lead, counterattacking down the right hand side and beating the Lavant defense with a great through ball allowing their striker to get in on goal and duly bury the ball in the back of the net giving Martin Pullen no chance, 1-0.

Lavant responded well and immediately from the restart, when Daryl Hall broke down the wing and crossed to Stuart Loversidge but his subsequent header was easily saved by Will Campbell, in the Clymping goal.

Clymping began to pressurize the Lavant goal in a bid to double their lead. Lavant soaked up the pressure and with 4 minutes of the half remaining counterattacked with Loversidge breaking free only to be brought down by Campbell in the box, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty.

Tom Parker’s spot kick was well struck into the right hand corner of the net narrowing beating the diving Campbell, leveling the score at 1-1. The first half ended all square.

Robbie Pinder replaced the injured Martin Ayers at half time. Lavant started the second half with renewed vigor catching Clymping asleep. Loversidge latched onto Parker’s through ball but his shot which beat the keeper went just inches wide. Then with 10 minutes gone Parker chased down the ball and broke free of the Clymping defence, rounded the keeper and only had to walk the ball into the back of the net, unfortunately he decided to shoot from 18 yards out totally missing the empty goal and blowing a golden opportunity for Lavant to take the lead.

Clymping substitute Gary Campbell made an instant impact on the game crossing into the path of the incoming striker who’s shot hit the bar and bounced down over the line restoring their lead, 2-1.

This lead was however short lived, as Stuart Loversidge who had plagued the home sides defence all game was again up ended in the box and Lavant were awarded a second penalty. Parker stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way, leveling the score once again as well as making amends for his earlier miss, 2-2.

Substitutes Chris Bowles and Mike Martin freshened up the Lavant midfield and with 10 minutes remaining Lavant nearly took the lead after Giles Weller’s high level cross was met by Loversidge who’s shot was yet again agonizingly just wide of the Clymping goal.

In the dieing minutes Clymping almost snatched all three points after Pullen’s goal kick went short and straight to the incoming striker who ran into the box and unleashed a goal bound shot which somehow Pullen managed to keep out by pulled off a fantastic one handed save, maintaining the score at 2-2, which remained the same right to the final whistle.

Next week Lavant are home to Worthing BCOB in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Jon Strange, Martin Ayers, Simon Blackman, Giles Weller, Dan Johnson, Andy Strange, Matt Hine, Daryl Hall, Stuart Loversidge, Tom Parker. Subs: Mike Martin, Chris Bowles, Robbie Pinder. Manager: Dave Parker.