Category: Old News 2005 / 2006

Lavant bounced back from last weeks Sussex Junior Cup defeat to win this hard fought, physical local derby.

With Steve Jeffkins and Kevin Fogden orchestrating the visitor’s play from deep, Chi Hospitals held the early initiative. Ironically, it was just as Lavant pieced together several attacks of flowing football in the visitors half that the Chi Hospitals broke away on the right hand side and Rob Butchers subsequent shot could only be palmed into the net by the Lavant keeper on 16 minutes, giving the visitors a surprised lead, 0-1.

Lavant restarted with the same momentum as before and immediately put visitors defence under pressure, resulting with Dan Johnson unleashing an unstoppable shot just outside the box into the very top corner of goal leveling the score on 21 minutes, 1-1.

Two minutes later Lavant midfielder Matt Hine was upended in the area and was awarded a penalty, which Tom Parker coolly converted giving Lavant a 2-1 lead.

From regaining possession from a corner Lavant’s Daryl Hall headed across goal allowing striker Stuart Loversidge to pounced and scored at close range. The goal however was somehow ruled out for offside and in the confusion, Chi Hospitals took full advantage taking a quick free kick catching Lavant out of position with Pat Nagle meeting Butchers cross to give the visitors an equalizer one minute before half time, 2-2.

Chichester Hospitals started the second half with fresh enthusiasm and whereas Lavant had most of the possession in the first half, the visitors dominated the second.

Nagle again scored for Chi Hospitals but this time his goal was also disallowed as the linesman had flagged for the ball going out back on the half way line. Martin Pullen also pulled off two international class reflex saves, one mistakenly from Lavant fullback Martin Ayers to keep the home side in the game.

Lavant managed to hold firm and adsorbed the visitors pressure, counterattacking in the visitor half when possible and with 10 minutes remaining Lavant substitute Robbie Pinder latched onto a perfect cross from Stuart Loversidge to volley the ball up and over the Chi Hospitals keeper and into the back of the net to give Lavant the lead once more, 3-2.

Further substitutes Chris Bowles and Mike Martin brought fresh legs to the home side as Chi Hospitals tried in vein to draw level. Pinder in the closing minutes had two golden chances to wrap up the game but both shots went wide of the mark. However his earlier strike eventually proved enough to secure Lavant all three points.

Next week Lavant are away to Clymping Reserves 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, Simon Watling. Subs: Mike Martin, Chris Bowles, Robbie Pinder. Manager: Dave Parker.

It was inevitable that Lavant made their exit from the 2nd round of the Sussex Junior Cup with one of their worst performances of the season so far.

It looked like they had just emerged from Dr Who’s Tardis onto the surface of a remote planet such was their lack of concentration and preparedness.

Rottingdean took full advantage of this and early in the first half were awarded a penalty when Martin Ayers handled in the area. But Brett Roland slammed his spot kick against the bar letting the visitors off the hook.

This spurned Lavant into action and Stuart Loversidge fired wide from 5 yards and later clipped the outside of the Rottingdean post from close range following a flick on header from Simon Watling.

A mix up in the Lavant defence allowed Craddock to eventually put the home side ahead on 26 minutes, which they maintained right through to half time, 1-0.

Rottingdean started the second half in lively fashion forcing two fine saves from Lavant keeper Martin Pullen.

Then two weak back passes in succession from Justin Smith and Jon Strange gifted Rottingdean’s striker Fowler an opportunity to nip in and score the softest of goals on 57 minutes, doubling the home sides advantage.

Lavant brought on Robbie Pinder for Dave Kent and changed to a 3-4-3 formation by substituting Smith and bring on Chris Bowles to try to get back into the cup tie but it was all to no avail.

With 15 minutes remaining Lavant also brought on Simon Blackman who unfortunately only managed to remain on the field for 3 minutes, when he and opponent Craig Williams were both shown the red card for raising arms and retaliation by referee Andy Caldwell.

By this time Lavant’s exit was guaranteed. Un-preparedness and lack of compact play on a large pitch gave Rottingdean an opportunity they did not spurn.

Next week Lavant are home to Chichester Hospitals in the Division II League. Kick Off 2.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Martin Ayers, Jon Strange, Matt Hine, Dan Johnson, Mike Martin, Dave Kent, Mark Richardson, Simon Watling, Stuart Loversidge. Subs: Chris Bowles, Simon Blackman, Robbie Pinder. Manager: Dave Parker.

Lavant played away to Stedham this week in the league and the spectators who turned out to watch the match experienced an exciting game full of action and plenty of goals.

Both teams started the game at a frantic pace and within 5 minutes and slightly against the run of play Lavant opened the scoring. Mike Martin’s accurate through ball found Simon Watling whose low level drive beat the Stedham keeper, 0-1.

Lavant almost added a second on 12 minutes after Daryl Hall’s cross was flicked on by Ben Thomas to Stuart Lowersidge, who’s shot went just over the Stedham bar from 10 yards.

Stedham came back into the game threatening the Lavant goal and drew level on 21 minutes when Martin Pullen just failed to keep out a long range shot, 1-1.

Four minutes later Matt Hine restored Lavant’s lead after latching onto a Loversidge corner and subsequent flick by Jon Strange, 1-2.

Stedham again levelled the score on 36 minutes after the Stedham striker beat the back line and just managed to hook the ball around the out coming keeper, 2-2.

Two minutes later Lavant again regained the lead following a fine move involving Loversidge, Watling and Ben Thomas, who rifled the ball into the back of the Stedham net from just inside the box. Lavant managed to see out the remaining five minutes of the first half, holding on to their slender lead. Half time score, 2-3.

Within 2 minutes of the re-start Stedham again drew level. Following a corner the ball was deflected off Justin Smith just four yards out of the goal into the path of the out coming Stedham striker who turned and buried the ball into the back of the net from close range, 3-3.

On 60 minutes Lavant once again restored their lead. Daryl Hall’s free kick was flicked on by Robbie Pinder to Loversidge who duly dispatched the ball into the back of the Stedham net, 3-4.

Five minutes later and for the final time Stedham again drew level, this time scoring their best goal of the match, breaking out down the wing, crossing the ball into the box and decisively dispatching the ball into the back of the Lavant net, giving Pullen no chance, 4-4.

Shortly afterwards Lavant had a great chance to retake the lead once more after Mark Richardson beat the defence and crossed square to Watling who skewed his shot just wide of the Stedham post.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the remaining minutes and Stedham certainly finished the stronger team and hitting the bar, but the Lavant defence lead by Martin Ayers was resolute and the game ended a draw, 4-4.

Next week Lavant are away to Rottingdean Reserves in the Sussex Junior Cup. Kick Off 1.30pm.

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

Lavant went through to the 3rd round of the Division II Charity Cup in convincing manner at the Lavant green.

The first quarter of an hour was a close battle as befits a cup tie, but gradually Lavant’s pressing game pushed Yapton deep into their own half.

It was therefore not surprising then when Lavant regained possession from a partially cleared corner and took the lead on the half hour when Mark Richardson headed home a Daryl Hall cross.

Two minutes later Lavant went further ahead when Dan Johnson latched onto an incisive cross-field ball from Simon Watling and saw his own driven cross turned home for an own goal by Yapton defender Luke Burrow.

Burrow himself orchestrated several penetrating moves to urge the visitors forward and Alan Hanson was always a threat for Yapton when given any space.

Lavant end the first half 2-0 up.

Matt Hine was outstanding in midfield for the home side and with continued pressure Lavant on 68 minutes went further ahead when Richardson’s shot went in off a Yapton defender.

Simon Watling then added a fourth for Lavant 11 minutes later.

Shortly after Lavant were awarded a penalty. Stuart Loversidge should have made it five from the spot kick capping his outstanding match performance, but his well taken penalty was superbly saved by Yapton keeper Matt Davies.

However from the resultant corner Hall headed home from a Ben Thomas cross on the 83rd minute to complete the rout, 5-0.

Next week Lavant are away to Stedham Utd in the Div II League. Kick-Off 2.30pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Martin Ayers, Jon Strange, Daryl Hall, Dan Johnson, Andy Strange, Matt Hine, Mark Richardson, Simon Watling, Stuart Loversidge. Subs: Mike Martin, Ben Thomas, Simon Blackman. Manager: Dave Parker.

Newly promoted Lodsworth weathered an opening half hour onslaught from visitors Lavant in this Division II contest. Playing a high tempo and good passing game Lavant dominated play taking full advantage of the downward slope of the pitch.

Unfortunately Lavant could not however convert their opportunities into goals. Striker Simon Watling blasted over an empty net after rounding two defenders and the Lodsworth keeper. When he eventually converted a cross from Stuart Loversidge, his goal was disallowed for an infringement on the keeper. Then another Loversidge pass across the face of the goal saw Matt Hine come just inches away from opening the scoring.

Graham Wilson tried to relieve the pressure by engineering most of Lodworth’s few excursions from their own half and somehow Lodsworth held on, with the visitors seeing half time arrive goalless despite having had two thirds of the possession and six good scoring opportunities go begging.

Lavant played some good football in the first half however now with an upward slope and determined tackling by the home side to contend with, the match devolved into a hard close battle. Russel Lauman was outstanding for Lodsworth continually trying to thread balls through the visitor’s two banks of defenders, ensuring that Lavant’s attacks were now somewhat more restricted, but Daryl Hall almost managed to opened the scoring however his 30-yard high-level lob rebounded of the Lodsworth bar.

Daryl Hall was pushed forward when Giles Weller took his place as full back and gradually Lavant started getting behind the Lodsworth defence on the left. It was from one such opening that Stuart Loversidge pulled down a cross from the left, span around on a sixpence and rifled the ball into the far corner of the net on 68 minutes breaking the deadlock, 0-1.

Lodsworth never gave up the battle and the ubiquitous Paul White fired just wide in the dying minutes after Lavant had brought on full back Simon Blackman in an attempt to defend their lead.

In the end the amount of energy required to maintain a high tempo pressing game by Lavant could not be maintained against Lodsworth, but the visitors held firm and ground out a deserved win to carry them to mid table.

Next week Lavant are home to Yapton Reserves in the Div II Charity Cup. Kick-Off 3.00pm.

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

The gathered crowd at Lavant green were entertained this week to an exciting football feast.

When talented striker Ryan Saigeman won the ball off Lavant’s Guy Pinder in defence and opened the scoring for Villa within 8 minutes of the start, it looked as if Newtown were going to match their impressive start to the season, scoring on average eight goals a game.

But Lavant rose to the challenge and pressed the visitors back into their own half resulting in Lavant’s Simon Watling lifting a close range shot just over the outcoming keeper towards goal but the ball wickedly bounced off the bar and to safety, denying Lavant an equalizer.

Villa’s Andy Rowlands was always a threat organizing several Newtown attacks in midfield but Lavant effectively closed down this space, pressurizing the visitors in the last 10 minutes of the first half. It was therefore fair reward when Tom Parker who on the stroke of half time, chested down a clearance on the edge of the box from a Lavant corner and put the home side on level terms with an unstoppable 25 yard drive that the Villa keeper Johnny Whiffin could only parry into the side of his net. The first half ended 1-1.

Shortly after the restart Lavant fell foul of their susceptibility to set pieces with Saigeman’s long throw being headed home from 4 yards when Jonas Templeman rose literally head and shoulder over the sleeping Lavant defence.

Lavant again responded positively with Dave Kent’s long range shot hitting the upright corner of the goal and Simon Watling forcing a fine save from Whiffin. However, Newtown held on, just managing to maintain their slender lead and with only minutes to go Dave Kent suffered an unfortunate head injury from a high tackle which subsequently needed hospital treatment and so ended the game abruptly, allowing Newtown to thankfully end the game winners, maintaining their impressive league run now totalling four successive wins.

Next week Lavant are away to Lodsworth in the Div II League. Kick-Off 3.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Martin Ayers, Guy Pinder, Daryl Hall, Robbie Pinder, Dave Kent, Tom Parker, Ben Thomas, Simon Watling, Stuart Loversidge. Subs: Andy Strange, Jon Strange, Matt Hine. Manager: Dave Parker.

This week Lavant entertained Seebrook Rovers of Division II, Crawley & District league in the Sussex Junior Cup.

Lavant started this game half asleep and were one nil down within 2 minutes. Seebrook’s lofted free kick was poorly defended in the Lavant box, with the ball deflecting off Matt Hine’s shin into the path of the incoming Seebrook striker who tapped in the ball home from close range, 0-1.

This goal should have shocked Lavant into action but 10 minutes later they went even further behind when they failed to defend Seebrook’s long throw into the box, gifting Seebrook a free header, which was duly dispatched into the Lavant goal. 0-2.

Five minutes later Seebrook should have increased their lead even further after their striker broke free with only the keeper to beat, but Martin Pullen produced a great finger tip save to deny Seebrook and keep the deficit at two goals.

Finally with 25 minutes remaining Lavant started to pressurize the visitors goal, with Chris Bowles through ball setting Stuart Loversidge free, but his subsequent low level shot was pushed round the post to safety by the keeper. For the remainder of the half both Loversidge and Ben Thomas came close as Lavant piled on the pressure, however the Seebrook keeper pulled off a string of great saves to maintain their lead of two goals at half time, 0-2.

Half time substitutions of Tom Parker and Mike Martin reinvigorated the Lavant attack and within 8 minutes of the restart Parker had headed his first goal latching onto a cross from Loversidge, 1-2. Then, 12 minute later Ben Thomas levelled the score with an unstoppable 35-yard drive into the top corner of the Seebrook goal.

For the next 20 minutes the game remained wide open with both teams missing chances to take the lead.

With 15 minutes remaining the deadlock was broken, as Lavant substitute Giles Weller made an immediate impact latching onto a Hine pass and crossing to Loversidge who dispatched the ball into the Seebrook goal, 3-2.

The last 5 minutes saw some extraordinary action; firstly Daryl Hall headed Lavant further into the lead from a Thomas free kick. From the restart Seebrook snatched another goal back following a mix-up in the Lavant defence. Then two minutes later Tom Parker scored his second goal and secured Lavant’s win, heading home from a beautifully crafted cross by Hall. Final score 5-3.

Next week Lavant are at home to Newtown Villa in the Div II League. Kick-Off 3.00pm.

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

Lavant secured their first Division II league win of the season in this thriller at Lavant green. Striker Chris Bowles came close twice within the opening minutes of the game with a right foot shot and then a header following some excellent build up play orchestrated by Dave Kent and Andy Strange in midfield. The home sides early ascendancy was rewarded by two goals from Stuart Loversidge in the 9th and 18th minutes on his debut match for Lavant, 2-0.

Shortly afterwards Lavant winger Mark Richardson almost added another but his shot rebounded off the bar. Rustington however were a talented side and executed several good passing moves especially featuring Matt Woodward and Dave Grover who persistently worked the ball forward challenging the Lavant defence. However, Lavant went off at half time maintaining their 2-0 lead.

The opening 25 minutes of the second half saw Lavant soaking up the Rustington pressure and the visitors were denied a reward for their sustained work when Ross Adams fired against the post.

Lavant weathered the storm and slowly edged back into the game, with substitute Mike Martin hitting the Rustington post from 25 yards. With 5 minutes remaining Lavant added a third when Matt Hine curled an exquisitely taken free kick, taken on the edge of the box, into the top corner of the goal giving the keeper no chance.

Rustington to their credit never gave up and deserved their 89th minute consolation goal, fired home by the ebullient Simon Finch.

Next week Lavant are at home to Seebrook Rovers in the Sussex Junior Cup. Kick-Off 3.00pm.

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

After the two league defeats, Lavant revived their grit and determination in this Division II cup battle on the Lavant village green.

A handling offence in the box allowed midfielder Tom Parker to give Lavant the lead from the penalty spot after 6 minutes. Parker converted his second spot kick 20 minutes later after Lavant’s hard working front-man Robbie Pinder was bundled over the ball in the box.

Lavant have in recent weeks been susceptible to set pieces and when Petworth were awarded a free kick on 36 minutes Ritchie Robinson rose above the Lavant defence to head across goal where Martin Dillon fired Petworth back into the game. Lavant ended the first half with a slender
2-1 lead.

Following the restart Petworth pushed hard for an early equalizer but unlike previous Saturday’s Lavant’s defence was strong and determined and held firm. On the few occasions the defence was breached, Lavant keeper Martin Pullen pulled off a number of world class saves to maintain their lead intact.

Chris Bowles working tirelessly in midfield almost put Lavant further ahead but his thirty-five yard shot was just high over the Petworth bar.

The game was put beyond Petworth’s reach when the dynamic Daryl Hall broke free on the left flank and duly produced an excellent cross which was turned home by striker Simon Watling for his second of the season.

Lavant made two late substitutions bringing on Mike Martin and Jon Strange in order to shut up shop and maintain the 3-1 lead and with the Lavant captain Martin Ayers commanding a very solid defence for the full 90 minutes, Lavant saw out the remainder of the game and ensured their progress into the next round of the cup.

Next week Lavant are at home to Rustington Reserves in the Div II League. Kick-Off 3.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Martin Ayers, Simon Blackman, Daryl Hall, Giles Weller, Tom Parker, Chris Bowles, Mark Richardson, Robbie Pinder, Simon Watling. Subs: Mike Martin, Andy Strange, Jon Strange. Manager: Dave Parker.

Clymping secured another 3 points and kept their hundred per cent record in a thriller on the Lavant green. It did not look likely to be the outcome when Lavant’s Matt Hine blazed wide from 8 yards after a great build-up and another scintillating move saw Simon Watling’s finish hit the Clymping keepers leg and bounce off the bar to safety. Lavant’s Robbie Pinder also just failed to get on the end of another series of six one touch passes and Watling forced a great stop again from Clymping’s keeper with a twenty five yard thunderbolt.

Clymping could only mustered periodic counter attacks which were kept at bay by fine defending and so their four long range efforts were easily dealt with by Martin Pullen in the Lavant goal.

Lavant’s ascendancy was rewarded twelve minutes from half time when again Lavant strung a number of passes together culminating with Ben Thomas slotting a through ball to Simon Watling who opened the scoring for Lavant on his home debut, 1-0. Lavant saw out the remaining minutes to go in at half time with a well deserved lead.

From the restart Clymping showed why they are joint top of the league by the way they started the second half, whilst Lavant seemed to be still in the dressing room, as first a free kick steered in at the near post in the 58th minute and then a twisting ball turned brilliantly on the bar by the keeper Martin Pullen was not clear in the six yard box and was subsequently scrambled over the line by the Clymping striker.

Five minutes later Clymping looked to be coasting the game after they were awarded a needless penalty, which was duly converted. Clymping could then have gone further ahead two minutes later but the goal was disallowed by an infringement spotted by the referee.

Following this Lavant found their first half form in the last 20 minutes and Watling latched onto a good move started by the irrepressible Daryl Hall and assisted by a through ball from Tom Parker from which Watling unleashed an unstoppable shot on the edge of the box to give Lavant hope with 14 minutes remaining on the clock.

Watling again hit the post and Parker scraped the bar as Lavant tried hard to draw level, however Clymping soaked up the pressure and eventually secured the three points when they capitalized on a bad mistake by Parker in midfield and managed break away and score a fourth in the 89th minute.

Clymping showed why they hold their current position in the league by producing a consistent 90 minutes display. Lavant will have to learn to emulate this if they are to convert their fits and starts attitude into points.

Next week Lavant are at home to Petworth in the Div II Cup. Kick-Off 3.00pm.

Team: Martin Pullen, Justin Smith, Martin Ayers, Guy Pinder, Daryl Hall, Ben Thomas, Tom Parker, Jon Strange, Matt Hine, Robbie Pinder, Simon Watling. Subs: Mark Richardson, Simon Blackman, Mike Martin. Manager: Dave Parker