Category: News 2006 / 2007

This week’s match at Raughmere park, Lavant was a great game of football to watch if you were a spectator, with nine goals, a booking, a sending off and the winner being scored in the final minutes of the game.

Lavant started well dominating the beginning of the match and almost opened the scoring early on when a Dan Johnson’s free kick was met by Matt Price, who’s shot went agonisingly just wide of the far post.  Minutes later however Lavant took the lead when Carl Drinkwater scored a great goal diving to head home from a Matt Price corner, 1-0.

Then again on 15 minutes Matt Price caused the Rustington defence more trouble as they failed to deal with his corner and following a goal mouth scramble which saw Daryl Hall’s shot cleared off the line, Carl Drinkwater pounced once again and buried the ball into the back of the net giving Lavant a deserved 2-0 lead.

Rustington raised their game from the kick-off and should have pulled one back, but Jarvis’s goal bound shot was superbly saved by the outstretched hands of Lavant keeper Chris Bowles.

With 25 minutes gone Lavant’s Mike Howes cross was met by Chris Withall leaving the keeper stranded in the middle of the box, with the ball falling to Price who’s shot was somehow cleared off the line by the Rustington defender.   With Lavant still wondering why they had not gone 3-0 up, Rustington cleared the ball down to Jarvis who broke clean through on goal hammering home the ball at close range past Bowles, 2-1 and allowing Rustington to go into half time very much in the game.

The second half also started lively for different reasons and with only 5 minutes gone an off the ball incident saw Darly Hall for Lavant being booked and a Rustington player sent off for kicking out at the Lavant player.  Now down to 10 men Rustington should have been struggling to stay in the game but far from it as they continued to pressurize the Lavant box and deservedly drew level on 57 minutes when Bowles failed to prevent Jarvis adding to his tally, 2-2.

Three minutes later Rustington took the lead after Bowles failed to hold on to ball from a corner with it dropping into the path of Darcy who scored into the empty goal, 2-3.

Three minutes later Lavant this time levelled the score when Chris Withall met Mike Howes cross from the right flank burying the ball into the back of the net from close range, 3-3.

Seconds from the kick-off Rustington once again took the lead.  Jarvis received the ball from the spot kick and seeing the Lavant keeper off his line despatched a shot from well in his own half which caught Bowles by surprise who could only parry the ball into the back of his own net, 3-4.

Five minutes later Chris Withall doubled his tally heading an equaliser again for Lavant, 4-4.

With 20 minutes remaining there was still time for more goals and Jarvis almost took the lead for Rustington once more, but his long range shot bounced off the cross bar to safety.

With minutes remaining Lavant saved their best football for last as the hard working Danny Kenyon picked the ball up in mid field breaking down the right flank and crossing into the box, his cross was skilfully headed down by Withall into the path of Matt Price who broke clear and buried the ball into the back of the Rustington goal, securing eventually all three points for Lavant, 5-4.

Team: C.Bowles, M.Carver, D.Johnson, M.Gliaubertas, M.Howes, D.Kenyon, A.Strange, D.Hall, C.Drinkwater, C.Withall, M.Price:  Subs: O.Haggar, R.Gibbs, J.Smith.

This Div II game was a great one for a neutral to watch but frustrating for the Lavant coaching staff.

After two earlier games with solid defending, the outing last week and this tie exposed a lack of self-discipline and concentration at the back.

Starting with all the early pressure the visitors looked most likely to win this game but conceded a breakaway goal on 8 mins when Dave Rogers unmarked put Worthing in the lead.

The visitors replied with some excellent football in atrocious conditions ending with Robbie Pinder firing wide on 11 mins.  Parker came close five minutes later and then Loversidge almost levelled the score from an excellent 6 man passing move.

Worthing battled hard and won the second ball spillages; hitting route-one balls behind the defence.  From one such break a cross from the left found Leon Bunn unmarked 6 yards out whose half-hit lobbed into the top corner on 17 mins.

The central defenders failure to mark close and the error in the sweeper’s positioning had led to a 2-0 deficit.  Lavant keeper, Martin Pullen, saved bravely at the feet of 2 Worthing strikers who again had eluded their markers.

Despite half-time giving the opportunity to point out these failures, little improved and Worthing went further ahead on 53 mins when Dave Rogers again in a central position found the Lavant sweeper’s absence a gift he did not spurn.  With 25 mins left Lavant’s sweeper made way for midfielder Tom Parker to take on the role and Dave McClean filled the midfield space.  Later Thomas came off and Richardson sat in front of the defence to make way for Mike Keane as wing-back.

From that moment, Worthing never looked like scoring and were forced onto the back foot.

Loversidge, Pinder and McClean came close for the visitors but it was hard-working Lavant striker Daemon Leach who forced the ball over the line for the visitors consolation goal 4 mins from time.

One had the feeling that if Lavant’s defensive discipline had been in place at the start as it was at the end they would have taken the three points.  Let’s hope they learn the lesson for future games for their passing game is a joy to watch.

Team: M.Pullen, J.Strange, M.Ayers, S.Blackman, N.Farrer, T.Parker, B.Thomas, R.Pinder, S.Loversidge, D.Leach:  Subs M.Keane, D.McClean.

February 1964
Team:F.May (Linesman), D.Hunt, G.Creswell, A.Bradfield, R.Lamb, L.West, J.Bingham and kneeling M.Gammon, T Eade, P.Bacon, (Capt), B.Harris and R.Leeming 

November 2006
Team: R.Gibbs, M.Howes, M.Carver, D.Johnson (Capt), C.Bowles, D.Hall, D.Woods, M.Kent, S.Watling, G.Creswell and kneeling M.Gliaubertas, C.Drinkwater, O.Haggar, M.Martin, A.Yaxley and D.Kent

This Saturday marked the return of Lavant Reserves playing football in the village on the top pitch known as Raughmere Park.

Lavant Football Club have used Raughmere Park located at the top of Pook Lane since 1955 when the land owners, local farmers the Lock family kindly allowed football to be played there in an attempt to reduce the recreational use on the village green.

The ground has not been used by the football club for at least the last 6 years, but with Lavant starting a reserve team this season it became a goal of the club to try and refurbish the disused pitch and ensure that both teams played football within the boundaries of the village.  Thanks once again, to the Lock family, the support of the Lavant Parish Council, particularly Councilor Graham Kelly and volunteers from the football club, this weekend saw all the many months of hard work pay off when Lavant Reserves hosted Stedham Reserves in a West Sussex League Division V South league game in a hard fought game which saw Stedham winning 0-2.

Since the early summer many hours of work have been spent cutting, rolling and repairing the pitch and team sponsors Millstone Landscapes have kindly provided equipment and help (thanks Matt and Chris) to transform the field into a football pitch once more. Additionally Lavant’s groundsman Geoff Creswell should receive a special mention for his efforts in achieving the football clubs goal.  Geoff has played for the village football team in the past, in fact for Lavant Reserves in 1964, who were playing at Raughmere Park in the West Sussex League Division V.  He is still very much part of the village football club performing a crucial role, which does not always get the acknowledgement it deserves.

The above photos shows Geoff’s team which was published in the Observer on the 21^st February 1964 and the reserve team today standing in exactly the same spot some 42 years later proudly keeping the tradition of the village football team alive and thriving.

If you are interested in joining the club as a player or would be able to help out with running Lavant Football Club please visit our website at lavantfc.co.uk for information.

Lavant attacking the Stedham goal, with Mike Kent, Dan Johnson and Oli Haggar going to meet Matt Carver’s corner kick

Lavant made Stedham work hard for their points at Raughmere Park this Saturday.

Both teams started lively and Lavant should have taken the lead early on with good chances falling to Carl Drinkwater and especially Adam Yaxley when he broke through the defense, but his close range shot was saved by the Stedham keeper.

Lavant’s early dominance somewhat shocked the visitors who may have thought this top verses bottom of the league clash was going to be a walk over and they struggled to get into the game.  However Lavant paid the price for not taking their chances when on half time Stedham broke clear down the right wing and the cross in front of goal was converted home from close range from the incoming striker, 0-1.

The second half saw Lavant press for the equalizer whilst Stedham attempted to finish the game off, so play opened up and was contested at both ends of the pitch.  With the heavy pitch taking its toll on the football being played and with both teams battling hard, some heavy tackling was seen with Lavant’s Mike Kent receiving a nasty knee injury.  Then following a clash with the Stedham striker Chris Bowles Lavant’s keeper lashed out with his leg in retaliation in his own goal area and was duly booked for the offense and Stedham were awarded a penalty.  Bowles then made amends for his misdemeanor by pulling off a great save with Dan Johnson bravely clearing the rebound to safety in the 6-yard box.

Lavant still in the game were then dealt a unexpected blow minutes later when Bowles failed to hold a Stedham cross which slipped out his hands and fell agonizingly just over the line and into the goal, 0-2.  Stedham saw out the final minutes of the game taking another 3 points, which moved them to second place in the league with games in hand with the leaders, whilst Lavant dropped to second from bottom.

Lavant Reserves are home to Rustington Park Seniors next Saturday.

Team: C.Bowles, M.Carver, D.Johnson, D.Hall, O.Haggar, M.Martin, D.Woods, M.Kent, M.Howes, C.Drinkwater, A.Yaxley.  Subs: M.Gliaubertas, D.Kent.

Lavant started this weeks game cautiously spending the first five minutes defending their own half, allowing Rustington to take the initiative and they should have gone one nil up when they broke clear down the left flank, crossing the ball at close range invitingly right across the open goalmouth, but somehow Simon Blackman managed to clear the ball to safety up over the Lavant goal from only two yards out.

Two minutes later an excellent through ball from central midfield opened up the Lavant defense allowing the Rustington striker to break free one on one with the keeper and score giving Rustington an early lead, 1-0.

To Lavant’s credit they did not let this set back effect them and they worked hard to get back into the game and the next 20 minutes were battled out in midfield without either team making any significant headway.

On 30 minutes however Rustington nearly went two nil up after Simon Blackman’s header back to the keeper was intercepted by the Rustington striker who again broke free of the Lavant defense, but this time Lavant keeper Martin Pullen pulled off a great save to keep Lavant in the game.

With minutes remaining of the first half, Rustington should have increase their lead when a shot from the edge of the box left the Lavant keeper beaten, but the ball hit the outside of the post and rebounded to safety.  Then a minute later Lavant were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Rustington box, giving them a great opportunity to level the game, however Tom Parker’s shot lacked conviction and was easily saved by the Rustington keeper, so the score ended 1-0 at half time.

Lavant started the second half well but with only 5 minutes gone they were caught out again with a copy cat goal from Rustington, with the striker latching onto another lovely through ball from the middle of the park and beating Pullen in the Lavant goal, 2-0.

Still Lavant did not give up and in fact they actually for the first period of the game started to seriously threaten Rustington’s goal and with 25 minutes remaining Lavant substitute Dave Maclean won the ball on the right hand side releasing it to Stuart Loversidge whose subsequent cross into the busy Rustington goalmouth was met by the hardworking Robbie Pinder at the far post whose shot sent the keeper the wrong way and ended up into the back of the net, pulling a goal back for the visitors, 2-1.

The remainder of the game saw Lavant pile on the pressure in an attempt to draw level.  Dave Kent replaced the injured Matt Hine in the Lavant midfield and with five minutes remaining won a free kick on the edge of the area.  Mark Richardson’s subsequent attempt on goal failed to hit the target going high over the Rustington goal into the top of a tree and to safety.  Minutes later the game ended 2-1 with Lavant being unable to break down the resolute Rustington defense.

Lavant are away to Worthing BCOB next Saturday.

Team: M.Pullen, N.Farrer, J.Strange, M.Ayers, S.Blackman, M.Richardson, M.Price, T.Parker, M.Hine, S.Loversidge, R.Pinder.  Subs: D.Maclean, D.Kent.

Lavant seemed intimidated for the first 20 minutes from the visitors’ early pressure and the skill with which they stroked the ball around the park.  Bu they retained their shape and looked secure defensively.

The home-side grew in confidence and engineered several counter attacks which resulted  in the first corner of the match on 24 minutes but Eastergate goalkeeper MacDonald cleared his lines.

9 minutes later however Lavant were awarded a free kick on the halfway line and Thomas caught out the visitors by playing it swiftly down the left flank to Richardson whose cross was met by Parker head and the ball was hooked on past MacDonald by Robbie Pinder.

It was now the home-sides turn to switch on the football and a nice build-up from the back again set Richardson free whose cross was headed home at the far post by Loversidge after 37 minutes.

Eastergate were industrious and fluent in their passing but Lavant kept their efforts in front of the defence.  The skilful and strong Eastergate striker Jenkins was brilliantly held up by John Strange to bring the half to an end.

At the restart, Lavant went further ahead through their central midfielder Ben Thomas after Matt Hine teed up the ball for him to side-foot past MacDonald on 47 minutes.

Substitutes Price, Maclean and Keane continued the good work but on 61 minutes Jenkins fired home from 12 yards whilst Lavant claimed the pass from Gavin Sutton had found them offside.

The visitors hit the post on 84 minutes and Lavant had three chances to increase the lead by them cleared on the line.

There is certainly much to applaud in the new Lavant style but also to learn.  They play away to Rustington Reserves next Saturday.

Team: M.Pullen, N.Farrer, J.Strange, M.Ayers, S.Blackman, M.Richardson, B.Thomas, T.Parker, M.Hine, S.Loversidge, R.Pinder.  Subs: M.Price, D.Maclean, M.Keane.

Lodsworth (in yellow) attacking the Lavant goal. With Chris Bowles in goal, Dan Johnson and Oli Haggar, plus jon Strange on the edge of the box. Carl Drinkwater looks on

This truly was a match of two halves.  Lavant did not turn up for the first half and were a goal down after 4 minutes.  The visitors had an innocuous throw in and Lodsworth striker Paul Caldwell stood 12 yards behind the home-sides back four and simply received the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The visitors second goal was well worked around the Lavant penalty area before Tom Brown fired a low drive into the bottom corner on 22 minutes.

With Matt Price, Dave McClean and Michael Keane standing out for Lavant, the rest of the half faded away with the only danger to the visitors being a Keane shot which hit the bar on 24 minutes.

Whatever Dave Kent, the manager said to Lavant at half time did the trick.  They came out fighting from the off, pushing up into the visitors half and using the flanks where Lodsworth were vulnerable.

Lodsworth keeper John Geddis was superb at collecting several of Lavant’s deep crosses from the flank but even he couldn’t do anything about Keane’s deep cross from the right which Matt Price headed home on 74 minutes.  Minutes later Keane again supplied the hardworking DJ Wright with a similar cross which the 16 year old scrambled past Geddis to put them level with the visitors.

With Johnson and Smith spearheading a solid back four and Mike Howles dominating the right it looked as if Lavant would go on to win the game.  Credit to Lodsworth for making a late 10 minute thrust which was matched by Lavant’s grit.  This Div 5 match was a joy to watch and if Lavant play for the whole game as they did in the last half, they will climb up this league.

Lavant started well with a tight defence to overcome the glut of goals conceded in earlier matches.  They soaked up early pressure.  Half-way through the first half the home side gradually edged into the game with Tom Parker coming close with a free kick on 21 minutes.

From a Chichester corner which was cleared Steve Jeffkins hit the Lavant cross-bar from 40 yds.  Another Lavant move saw Parker go close again on 29 mins but from the goal kick and subsequent clearance Darren Cox ran behind the Lavant back four to push the ball pass keeper Pullen.

Lavant recovered well and the back four and midfield played a settled period of possession football but soon resorted to hopeful long balls coming off at half-time trailing 0-1.

In the second half, the visitors again made the early pressure forcing two excellent saves from keeper Martin Pullen who was more authoritative than in earlier games.  The visitors scored two further goals, which were replicas of the first when Marek Figas in 52 mins and Duncan Terry in 81 mins steered home (going one on one with the keeper) leaving Lavant chasing the game.

The home side played this Div II South game with much more spirit but missing all their regular strikers never really threatened Chichester’s goal.

Though it is early in the season without a change of fortune Div III seems to beckon the Lavant team.

Team: M.Pullen, N.Farrer, M.Ayers, J.Strange, S.Blackman, B.Thomas, T.Parker, M.Martin, D.Johnson, R.Pinder, M.Richardson. Subs: J.Smith, W.Gavin, M.Keane.

Another game of two halves from Lavant in this Division II game.

Stedham were busy, communicative and made good runs off the ball.  The visitors presented the best and proper use of wingbacks I have seen in the league.

However the home side were trying out a new system and holding their own in a match that was a great spectacle.  This sadly changed when referee Dave Winter awarded a dubious penalty for pushing in the 15^th minute.  Stedham’s Steve Kintott fired the visitors ahead from the spot.

With the controversy interfering with Lavant’s concentration Matt Tilly put Stedham further ahead two minutes later even though the home side claimed offside.

Stedham were awarded a corner on 29 minutes and Lavant keeper instead of palming high, long and wide, knocked it down to Guy Haigh who tapped in 0-3.

Another individual defensive error let Adam Porter add a fourth 6 minutes later and on 38 minutes a route one clearance by the visitors was volleyed first time by Tilly to produce a sensational fifth.

The second half saw a much more even game in which there were no goals but plenty of excitement.  Stedham should top the league this season but if Lavant can overcome their first half blues they may escape the relegation zone where they now dwell.

Lavant attacking the Wittering goal with Ben Thomas in aerial batlle with Jon Strange, Stuart Loversidge and Robbie pinder looking on

Wittering deserved their win in this Div II league clash at Lavant Green.

Always hungry for the game they broke through the home side’s offside trap when Jodi Brady ran through the gap between Lavant’s central defenders to slot the ball past keeper Pullen on 12 mins.

He hit the side netting 15 minutes later in a game where Wittering were stronger physically and were first to the ball.  Lavant were too often drawn into this physical battle to their disadvantage.  The few times the home side played with patience and passing skill they looked threatening.

One such spell saw Ben Thomas clip the visitors’ cross-bar and Matt Hine fire just over in the opening minutes of the second half.

Wittering pulled players back and defended their lead well content to snatch opportunities when they came.  One such was a long throw into the Lavant six yard box.  Although the Wittering target man was well sandwiched, the Lavant keeper got sucked into the fray and the absence of defenders at the far post allowed Brady to snatch his second unopposed on 68 mins.

Two Lavant substitutions failed to change matters and a hungrier, stronger Wittering saw the game out to do the double over their rivals.