Category: News 2007 / 2008

Lavant were third time lucky this Saturday as they deservedly beat Rustington Park Seniors after losing to them earlier in the league and in the semi final of the Division V Cup.

Both teams were up and focused for this game and the first half saw the match evenly contested, with Lavant edging it, taking advantage of playing with the wind.

With 5 minutes gone Christian Swain and Matt Hine linked well to forge the opening opportunity for Lavant. Minutes later Dave Kennard’s rifling shot just outside of the area was well saved by the Rustington keeper.

Lavant broke the deadlock on the half hour after some continued pressure in the visitors half.  Ross Lines combined well with Matt Price for him to break clear on the wing. Price’s shot ricocheting off the Rustington goal post and cleared to the edge of the post where Hine pounced striking the ball fist time from 25 yards giving the keeper no chance as Lavant took the lead, 1-0.

Lavant could have gone into the break two up as Kennard won the header in midfield, flicking the ball onto Hine who controlled the pass and shot first time leaving the Rustington keeper stranded as the ball flew over his head, but to his relief also agonisingly inches over the bar.

The second half saw Rustington up their game in an attempt to draw level forcing Matt Court, Simon Blackman and Daryl Hall in the Lavant defence to work hard defending their goal, however with 8 minutes gone and Lavant on the back foot they were only able to clear the ball to the edge of their box as the Rustington striker smashed the ball home past Lavant keeper Martin Pullen, 1-1.

The game was now in the balance and both sides had opportunities to retake the lead.

Dave Morris was fouled on the edge of the visitors box.  Matt Hine’s subsequent free kick sailed over everyone in the box striking the far post.

With 20 minutes remaining Kennard’s quick pass across the face of the box was met by Hine who drove home the ball from 18 yards, giving him his second and restoring Lavant’s lead, 2-1.

Two minutes later Kennard and Hine combined again to put Lines through but his shot went agonisingly inches wide.

With 10 minutes to go and against the run of play Lavant gave away a free kick on the edge of their box. The free kick was hit low and straight at Pullen but somehow the ball slipped though his hands and legs gifting Rustington an undeserved lifeline, 2-2.

The visitor’s ecstasy was however short lived when the Rustington keeper picked up the ball from a clear back pass a yard outside his goal line.  Hine quickly took the resulting free-kick passing to Lines who drilled the ball home from close range restoring Lavant’s lead, 3-2.

Minutes later Rustington’s leading goal scorer Jason Bright’s frustrated from a being skilfully marked out of the whole game by Lavant’s Tom Sheppard finally lost the plot and needlessly vented his anger on the referee over a free kick decision, picking up an unnecessary second bookable offence and ending up being sent off.

With five minutes remaining Matt Hine’s long range shot put the game beyond Rustington’s reach as he completed a fine performance up front by scoring his hat trick and ensuring Lavant took all three points and recorded a well deserved victory against a team who have only previously lost one game all season.

Team: M.Pullen, S.Blackman, M.Court, D.Hall, D.Morris, C.Swain, D.Kennard, T.Sheppard, M.Price, R.Lines, M.Hine. Subs: A.Strange, S.Yaxley, D.Kent.

The form book dictated that Villa should win this tie, especially as the Premiership side had come fresh from a 4-1 league win. But as the only team outside the Premiership left in the competition, Lavant held the Bognor side at bay for half an hour.

It was then that Greenfield placed a long excellent ball in the channel at the edge of the homeside’s box to allow Jonas Templeman to put the visitors ahead on 28 mins.

Lavant responded with vigour and penned Villa in their penalty area with a salvo of crosses and shots. Then came one of those episodes that prove turning points in a game. The Chichester side could not scramble the ball home and there was even an appeal for a penalty for hand ball. Villa survived and breaking quickly went staight up the Lavant end to scored through Mark Cooper on 32 mins. The visitors added a third just on half-time, again through Templeman.

Lavant hopes were raised after the restart when Tom Parker headed home a Neville corner, 3 mins into the second half. Chasing the game left the Chichester side exposed and Templeman deservedly completed his hat-trick for Villa  on 51 mins.Cooper added a fifth in the 79 minute and Lavant ended the last 10 mins of the game with their best football of the tie.

Lavant captain, Ben Thomas, summed up the game, ” Villa are an excellent team and deseved to go on to the Final. But we have to put our performance in perspective. We battled hard and must reproduce this in our remaining league games.”

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, M.Court, L.Hayward, M.Neville, J.Walsh, M.Ayers, B.Thomas, O.Haggar, T.Parker, R.Lines. Subs: C.Swain, S.Blackman, M.Price.

Lavant convincingly beat Div II North side Newdigate 4-1 on Saturday 16th February, with goals coming from  Ross Lines (2), Ben Thomas and Mike Neville, to earn themselves a semi final draw at home to Premier Division side Newtown Villa on the 1st March.  Kick off 3.00pm.

The Reserves also won 1-2 away to Fernhurst Reserves keeping the pressure on the teams at the top of Div V South chasing promotion, with goals coming from Carl Drinkwater and Simon Blackman.

This weekends results were even more resounding considering that both teams were forced to make significant squad changes due to problems with injuries and players availability.

Lavant advanced to the semi final stages of the cup with a hard fought 4 – 1 win over Newdigate.  A fairly mundane first half was brought to life on the half hour mark when left wingback Mike Neville tip toed his way around four defenders before calmly slotting the ball under the advancing Newdigate goal keeper.  This remained the score up to the half time interval with only one shot from Newdigate to show for their efforts and relatively little goalmouth action.  With a place in the last four of the competition at stake more was going to be needed from both teams and the second half did not disappoint.

Within minutes of the second half a good passing move from Newdigate led to a goal scoring opportunity as the ball was passed around the edge of Lavant’s penalty area and played through for a one on one chance against the keeper.  Only a last ditch tackle by veteran defender Matthew Court kept the score as it was much to the disappointment of the away teams travelling supporters.

Ten minutes later Lavant extended their lead when a quickly timed throw-in was headed on by striker Ross Lines and toed home by the well timed run of Lavant midfielder Ben Thomas.  With Lavant now controlling the game and Newdigate seemingly heading out of the cup a change in fortune was needed and this came with 15 minutes of the game remaining.

A quickly taken freekick by Newdigate was dropped by the Lavant goalkeeper Chris Bowles and the waiting striker Carl lewellin was able to turn the ball into the net to give renewed hope of a cup fightback.

However it was the Home side who remained calm under the mounting pressure and were able to put the result beyond doubt in the final minutes of the game.  Striker Ross Lines intercepted a poorly placed pass from the Newdigate defence and slotted the ball home from an acute angle on 83 minutes to put the score at 3-1 and in the final minutes a rebounded shot fell to the 35yr old striker in the penalty area and Lines was able to extend his tally for the season and make the score 4-1.

Lavant advance into the semi final stage as the lowest rank team of the remaining four but with a real chance of cup glory.

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, M.Court, L.Hayward, O.Haggar, J.Walsh, M.Richardson, B.Thomas, M.Neville, R.Lines, R.Pinder. Subs: C.Swain, J.Strange, T.Parker.

Lavant’s cup final dreams were ended Saturday in an eventful quarterfinal game in which the homeside will rue critical mistakes and missed opportunities.

With only four minutes of the game gone Nick Farrer’s back pass fell short of Simon Blackman allowing Rustington striker Javis Kushta to gratefully run through and open the scoring for the visitors, 0-1.

Lavant should have drawn level minutes later if it had not been for man of the match Adam Eastick in the Rustington goal who pulled of a great save from Mike Neville’s goal bound free kick on the edge of the box.

With ten minutes on the clock slack marking by Lavant again allowed Rustington to easily extend their lead as Jason Bright broke free of his marker pulling the ball back to the unmarked Noel Butler who scored past stranded keeper Chris Bowles making it two nil to the visitors, 0-2.

Lavant still suffering from shock battled hard to try to get back into the game, with Mike Kent’s header just going just over the bar, Neville’s shot being saved by Eastick with Justin Walsh just shooting wide with the rebound, plus Mark Richardson shot also going agonisingly inches wide of the post.

Rustington soaked up the pressure and capitalized on a desperate up field clearance which cruelly bounced in front and over the stranded Blackman allowing Kushta to run through unopposed to score his second and Rustington’s third,
0-3.

Minutes later Lavant were again desperately unlucky not to score as Mike Kent’s shot beat the keeper but rebounded off the post, ensuring the visitors went into the break with an unbelievably flattering half time lead.

Lavant restarted after the break in a determined manner with Richardson’s header just going over the bar.  Neville’s free-kick was skilfully chested down and vollied in the box by Kent at close range but again Eastick pulled off a world class save to deny the home side their opening goal.

With twenty minutes remaining finally Lavant got their opener as Neville was brought down in the box and Kent stepped up and despatched the penalty kick, 1-3.

Minutes later Rustington’s quick counterattacking again paid dividends as Bright broke through the Lavant defence to score, restoring the visitor’s three-goal lead, 1-4.

Lavant response was almost immediate as Mike Kent scored his second and minutes later had a third and his hat-trick, however after much lengthy discussion between the linesman and referee Matthew Benham the goal was somehow disallowed to the amazement of the watching spectators, 2-4.

With ten minutes remaining Bright was then sent off for his second bookable offence, this allowed Lavant greater opportunity to pressurize the Rustington goal in the dying stages of the game, in an attempt to level the deficit.

However Rustington held onto their lead, celebrating at the final whistle the fact they had progressed through to the last four of the Division V Cup, leaving Lavant to reflect on how they lost this game with so much of the possession.

Team: C.Bowles, J.Strange, S.Blackman, N.Farrer, M.Neville, A.Strange, M.Richardson, J.Walsh, S.Yaxley, C.Swain, M.Kent. Subs: D.Morris, A.Yaxley, T.Sheppard.

Lavant had to work hard Saturday to grind out a result against a Milland side that proved hard to breakdown.

Lavant were in fact slow to start the game and an early misunderstanding could have led to the visitors taking an early lead.  The game appeared to stop for offside, however referee Luke Pierce never blew his whistle and waved play on, as Milland broke clear down the left wing. The subsequent cross was however punched clear and to safety by Martin Pullen in the Lavant goal.

This early scare forced the home side to wake up, however it still took 25 minutes before they really threatened the Milland goal.  A mike Neville free kick was met in the box by Tom Parker who headed just inches wide of the post. Then ten minutes later Oli Haggar weaved his way into the six yard box squaring the ball to Ross Lines who’s shot again went just wide of the goal.

Lavant were then awarded a penalty for a push in the box.  Tom Parker’s spot kick however was well saved by the Milland keeper and the loose ball was scrambled to safety, as Lavant frustrating day continued.

With half time looming and the frustration setting in for the home side Mike Neville finally broke the deadlock running in to meet Haggar’s cross heading against the post with the ball spinning across goal and thankfully into the net, 1-0.  Minutes later Lavant could have been two up when Ben Thomas’s corner kick was headed against the cross bar by Daryl Hall.

The second half was again very much like the first.  Milland defended in numbers making it very hard for Lavant to break them down, but they never really threatened the Lavant goal.

Minutes from the restart saw Dave Kennard’s header was well saved.  Ross Lines also came close with a header, and a good move involving Thomas, Neville and Martin Ayers should have saw Lavant extend their lead, but again Milland held on.

Two nil up and the pressure was lifted of the homeside as they started to play some of their best football of the game exerted continued pressure on the Milland goal.  Lavant should have made it 3-0 when the ball was clearly handled off the line but somehow the incident was unseen by referee Pierce.

Lavant brought on all three subs, Swain, Pinder and Richardson in an effort to capitalise on a tiring Milland team but again the visitor’s defended in numbers right to the final whistle.

Lavant left the pitch somewhat frustrated with their display in front of the home crowd especially after the previous weeks performance.  However on reflection they had won the game by two clear goals and not conceded against a team who defended well and made it hard to play football for much of the match.

Team: M.Pullen, D.Hall, M.Court, L.Hayward, M.Neville, D.Kennard, M.Ayers, B.Thomas, O.Haggar, T.Parker, R.Lines. Subs: C.Swain, R.Pinder, M.Richardson.

A scintillating second-half performance ensured that Lavant continued their recent good form as they took 3 points on their visit to Worthing.

Lavant had gone two weeks without a game and it showed in the first quarter of an hour as Worthing created all the pressure, forcing two good stops from Chris Bowles, the Chichester ‘keeper, early on.

Gradually the visitors eased their way into the game and were rewarded when man-of-the-match, Dave Kennard, burst forward to win the ball and drove a penetrating ball through the homeside’s defence for striker,Tom Parker to blaze a stunning finish into the top corner on 35 mins. As a result, the Chichester side went in at half-time leading by this single goal.

They emerged for the second-half to produce their best football of the season. Some quick interpassing in midfield set Parker free on the right and his cross was met by wing-back, Mike Neville, who drove the ball home on 48 mins. Parker could have hit another 2 mins later but within seconds Neville fired in Lavant’s third. Two minutes later, Parker was again set free on the right and co-striker, Ross Lines, bullet-headed the resulting cross into the net to put the game way beyond the seasiders’ grasp. Dave Rogers remained Worthing’s best player and main threat but Lavant were rampant now and Lines scrambled home a fifth for the visitors past ‘keeper, Kevin Punter on 78 mins.

Nick Beaumont grabbed a last minute consolation goal for the seasiders after a rare lapse of concentration by Lavant.

After holding the top two clubs to consecutive draws and beating Worthing in style, it remains to be seen if Lavant can continue their revival when they entertain Milland at home on Saturday.

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, M.Court, L.Hayward, M.Neville, D.Kennard, J.Walsh,  B.Thomas, O.Haggar, T.Parker, R.Lines. Subs: M.Ayers, M.Martin, D.Kent.

Lavant Reserves fought out a hard earned victory on Saturday at Raughmere park banishing the memory of when the two teams last met in the league in November when Harting romped home to victory.

The first ten minutes of the game saw both sides play attacking football, with Harting having the best of the early chances to take the lead. However with Martin Pullen in the Lavant goal for the first time since the middle of November, due to injury and Daryl Hall using his head to clear off the line, the homesides goal was not breached.

As the half progressed Lavant started to settle and take control of the game frustrating the visitors as they started asserting pressure on the Harting goal.  Then on the half hour a late tackle saw Lavant’s sticker Joe Hepworth limping off injured forcing an early change. Lavant quickly regrouped with Nick Farrer slotting into defence, allowing Hall to push into midfield.  The first half ended level, 0-0.

The second half saw Lavant carrying on where they let off. However with only five minutes gone the home side again had to make a change as captain Guy Pinder had to be replaced with a injury to his hand, which was later found to be broken.  Stuart Eastwood replaced Pinder and minutes later contributed to breaking the deadlock.  Eastwood’s free kick in Lavant’s half was met by Andy Strange who headed the ball into the penalty area and both the Harting keeper and Hall raced for the ball.  Hall made it to the ball first, heading over the stranded keeper into an empty net, 1-0.

Harting had to now raise their game in order to salvage a result and so they started to pressurize the Lavant half and from a corner the Harting fullback raced into the box and scored an unstoppable header, as they drew level, 1-1.

Just when the game looked like it was heading for a draw, with 12 minutes remaining Lavant retook the lead.  Jim Hurd’s corner was met at the near post by Andy Strange and his diving header caught the keeper off guard as the ball controversially just sneaked across the line, to the joy of Lavant and their many spectators.

With minutes remaining Lavant’s defence held firm ensuring they took all three points in this hard fought local derby.

Team: M.Pullen, D.Hall, G.Pinder, J.Strange, J.Hird, A.Strange, M.Richardson, M.Martin, D.Morris, J.Hepworth, R.Pinder. Subs: N.Farrer, S.Eastwood, M.Gliaubertus.

Last week, league leaders Clymping; this week’ ” never-dropped-a-point” Stedham were held to a draw by a much improved Lavant side.

It’s easy to see why the visitors have such an impressive record. Mick Dunn, their manager, has organised them well with excellent overlapping fullbacks and accurate interpassing.

From the space which the Midhurst team obtained on the flanks, two of their early crosses clipped the Lavant crossbar. Whilst Stedham were stronger on the flanks, the homeside were impressive again in midfield with their Thomas-Walsh- Kennard triangle.

It was a game of few chances and when Lavant ‘keeper Chris Bowles spilled a Rupert Slate 25 yard drive on 22 mins, Daryl Hall was first to the ball to clear.

However, a quarter of an hour later, when Lavant sweeper, Matt Court, broke forward no one stepped into the hole he had vacated and the Midhurst side went ahead with a wonderfully well worked goal which Chris Hayes finished brilliantly.

The Chichester side went in trailing by this single goal, but emerged for the second half with a new game plan. Coach, David Parker, devised the means of containing the visitors’ fullbacks and Stedham were soon reduced to playing long ball. The homeside went level, when man-of-the-match, Mike Neville, curled home a superb free-kick on 47 mins, after striker Tom Parker had been chopped down on the edge of the penalty area.

Lavant substitutes, Lines, Ayers and Haggar all impressed, though Lewis Hamilton’s late Stedham effort hit the bar, only to see the ubiquitous Hall clear his lines again.

” We’ve a long way to go” said Lavant’s veteran captain, Matt Court,, “but the two performances and results against the top two clubs hopefully means we may have turned a corner.”

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, M.Court, L.Hayward, M.Neville, D.Kennard, J.Walsh, B.Thomas, M.Price, T.Parker, C.Drinkwater. Subs: M.Ayers, O.Haggar, R.Lines.

League leaders Clymping were stopped in their tracks by an excellent performance from an improved Lavant side and a late goal from Carl Drinkwater.

The homeside began well with 10 minutes of unremitting pressure but gradually the Chichester team emerged from their compact defending to put the ball in the Clymping net on 18 minutes but the goal was disallowed.

One momentary lack of concentration allowed Clymping to break from mid-field with out the Lavant markers tracking their players.  Even then, it took 5 shots before Garside hit the net to put the homeside ahead on 34 minutes.

This momentarily lifted Clymping’s play to force two excellent saves from Lavant keeper Chris Bowles.  But before long, the visitors were back in control, an approach they carried into the second half.

After the break, midfielders, Ben Thomas, Justin Walsh and man of the match David Kennard put together some delightful triangular passes.

Another good stop by Bowles prevented Lavant conceding further but otherwise the visitors began to dominate the game.

The equaliser looked inevitable and when Kennard was chopped down in the box as he was about to pull the trigger, Carl Drinkwater stepped up to the penalty spot.

“I felt really confident about taking the penalty.  I simply gave him the eyes to his left and put the ball right,” declared the youngster.  Drinkwater, whose father , uncle and cousin had previously played for Lavant carried the family honours into another generation as he scored the deserved equaliser on 86 minutes.

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, M.Court, L.Hayward, M.Neville, D.Kennard, J.Walsh,  B.Thomas, M.Price, T.Parker, R.Lines. Subs: C.Drinkwater, M.Ayers, O.Haggar.