Lavant 3 Fishbourne 2

No 9 – 17 year old Dave Knight cooly drills home the winner against Fishbourne 

Dave Knight’s 63rd min goal decided this battle for second place in the league table. Lavant started the game with a point advantage over their rivals but Fishbourne have a game in hand.

Chris Bowles gather’s the ball

The homeside, in accordance with their game plan soaked up early Fishbourne pressure; counter-attacking on the break.  It was from one such excursion that strikers, Stuart Loversidge and Knight combined but the youngster’s shot hit the post.

Jason Houghton on the ball

Then, on another breakaway, midfielder, Jason Houghton, headed against the visitors’ cross bar for Loversidge to head home the rebound on 18 minutes.  But within 3 minutes, Fishbourne were level, when Duncan Terry’s corner was headed home by Hugh Houghton.

Dave Kennard first to the ball 

Lavant, however, stuck to their game plan and were rewarded when advance midfielder, David Kennard, volleyed home with 20 minutes of the first half left.

2-1 up at half time and the team talk is all about belief and how much does the team want the win. 

The homeside increased their lead, when defender, Daryl Hall’s cross field ball found Mike Neville in the area who set the ball up for 17 year old Knight to coolly pick his spot.

Lavant defending every aerial attack, as Dave kennard jumps to ward off Fishbourne’s Hugh Howden 

Fishbourne pressure saw the visitors pull one back as in a long goalmouth melee they eventually scrambled the ball over the line. The next quarter of an hour saw the visitors press for the equaliser but Lavant looked solid and went on to collect the 3 points.

Matt Hine contains Howden

Daryl Hall with some determined defending

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, T.Parker, M.Hine, J.Houghton, B.Thomas, D.Kennard, M.Neville, R.Lines, D.Knight, S.Loversidge. Subs: S.Gooding, J.Drew, J.Walsh, R.Pinder, C,Withall.

League Results – 21st March

Division 2 South:

Lavant 3, Fishbourne 2; Worthing BCOB 4, Hunston CC 1; Yapton 1, Selsey Town 1.

Division 4 South:

Boxgrove 5, Petworth Res 1; Liss Athletic III 1, Rustington Park Snrs 2; Tangmere 0, Harting 2.

If you can PLEASE come down to the village green this weekend
(Kick Off 3.00pm) and support the first team as they host Fishbourne in a crucial promotion fixture.

Lavant currently are lying second in the table, one point ahead of Fishbourne who have a game in hand.

The first team now only have 5 games to go and five cup finals to play starting this weekend. If we can win every game (two of which are against Fishbourne) then we will finish second in the league behind Selsey Town and we will gain the right to go into a play-off game with the runners up of the Division Two North League to be played at a neutral ground.
The winners of that game will gain promotion to Div 1.

So from the manager Dave Parker, his backroom staff, the team and our valued supporters please start focusing on this weekends game.

The team is good enough to beat anyone in this league on their day and with the right preparation from each player physically and mentally for this weekend’s game and on the day collectively playing together as a team then we have a great change to get a result.

On top of this, with a good turn out from our supporters for the match getting behind the team this will act as a 12th man and rouse the team to push on and secure of three points. Up the Lavant

League Results – 14th March

Chichester Charity Cup: Third round:

General Henry 6, Partridge Green 5; Horsham Trinity 1, Lavant 0.

Division 2 South:

Lodsworth 0, Yapton 0; Predators Res 0, Fishbourne 4.

Division 4 South:

Harting 1, Liss Ath III 2; Stedham Utd Res 1, Petworth Res 4; Tangmere 3, Newtown Villa III 5.

Lavant Reserves 1 Harting 3

Lavant this week hosted Harting at the start of a crucial month of home games which would define the outcome of their season long relegation battle. Both sides started cautiously, in an organised fashion.  Lavant were playing some good controlled football, however they never really threatened Harting’s keeper Steve Baldwin.

Greg Ockwell and Chris Bowles battles for the ball 

Harting sat back and defended well and at every opportunity went for route one football, clearing the ball straight up to forwards Terry Cance and Dean Jones. With 15 minutes gone Hartings approach to the game paid dividends as they made easy work of cutting through the Lavant defence and rounding the stranded Lavant keeper Paul Czajka, 0-1. It took until the 17th minute for Lavant to actually have a shot on target a long range effort from Justin Walsh.

Joe Hepworth’s aerial battle with Harting’s Keeper

Again Harting continued to be quick on the counter attack and for large parts of the first half this proved a handful for Lavant’s defence.

With half an hour gone another move involving the two Harting strikers almost paid off, but the final shot hit the post and bounced clear of the goal.

Minutes later a Harting corner was headed into the bottom corner of the goal but mistake by Lavant’s Guy Pinder and somehow Czajka pulled off a great save to stop Harting taking a further lead.

Then with only minutes of the half remaining Harting struck a killer blow as yet again a route one ball found both their strikers up front two on two with Lavant’s defenders, as they neatly combined passing through the home defence and scoring, increasing the visitors lead right on half time, 0-2.

Lavant started the second half with renewed determination as it was clear they had to get something from the game and with fifteen minutes gone substitute Dave Knight showed them the way, dribbling the ball on the right flank and cutting in and smashing the ball into the top left hand corner.

The game now had taken a different complexion as Lavant chased the equaliser and for the next ten minutes they put the visitors under renewed pressure.

Simon Blackman clearing the ball from defence

But with 15 minutes remaining Lavant lost concentration as they seemed to stop playing to dispute the ball going off for a throw-in. Referee William Ottoway waved play on and Harting took full advantage crossing the ball into the box and despatching their third goal, re-establishing their two goal advantage.

Lavant tried in vain to get back into the game in the last 15 minutes but Harting managed to play out the remainder of the match and ensure they took all three points.

Spot the ball.  

Lavant attacking Hartings goal fron a corner in the closing minutes of the game. Chris Withal and Chris Bowles centre with
Robbie Pinder with his back to goal.

This result now makes the last three home games of the season even more crucial as mathematically Lavant are still not relegated and will fight on next week, when they host second place Rustington Park Seniors.

Team: Paul.Czajka, S.Blackman, R.Pinder, S.Eastwood, G.Weller, J.Strange, G.Pinder, J.Walsh, G.Ockwell, J.Hepworth, C.Withall. Subs: C.Bowles, M.Neville, D.Knight.

Division 2 South:

General Henry 4, Worthing BCOB 2; Lodsworth 0, Hunston CC 2; Selsey Town 4, Predators Res 1.

Division 4 South:

Lavant Res 1, Harting 3; Liss Athletic III 1, Newtown Villa III 4; Petworth Res 3, Rustington Park Snrs 3.

Lavant Sunday’s Semi Final

This Sunday 7th March Lavant are playing Pagham Rangers in the semi final of the Shuker Memorial Trophy Cup at Westmead playing fields in Bognor (just past Bognor Fire Station on the right), Kick- Off 10.30am.

If you can please come along and support the lads.

Only one game away from a cup final.

Up the Lavant

As we enter into the final couple of months of the Season the current leader’s board for the top goal scorer and man of the match are as follows:

Please note:
In the event on a draw it will be the person who has played the least number of games who will win the award.

March Fixtures are out:

Lavant first team do not have a game on the 7th March but we may try to arrange an away Friendly and then they travel away to Horsham Trinity in the next round of the Divsion II Charity Cup on the 14th.

Horsham Trinity are currently second in Division II North. They have played 15 games and have 28 points, with a goal difference of +17. This should prove to be an even contest between both teams who are
both performing well in there respective leagues.

On the 21st they are home to Fishburne in the game of the season and on the 28th they are away to Yapton.

Lavant Reserves go into March with 3 key make or break games.

On the 7th they are at home to Harting. On the 14th they are at home to Rustington Park Seniors. No game on the 21st so lets all go and support the first team (against Fishbourne) and on the 21st they are home to Tangmere.

West Sussex League Results – 28th February

Division 2 South:

Barnham Res 1, Worthing BCOB 2; Fishbourne 2, Yapton 3; Hunston CC 1, Predators Res 1; Lavant 7, General Henry 1.

Division 4 South:

Rustington Park Snrs 0, Stedham Utd Res 1.

Lavant 7 General Henry 1

Conscious that over the last 7 games Lavant’s defensive record has often let them down, the squad spent a concentrated practice pre-match on rectifying the mistakes. It proved time well spent.

Though the visitors managed to score a disputed goal mid way through the first half against the run of play it was the only real sniff at goal a meaner Lavant defence allowed them.

The Chichester side were deservedly level 7 minutes from the interval when midfielder, Ben Evans, broke free on the left and striker, Stuart Loversidge,
slid in to convert

Two goals from Ben Evans 

In the second half the homeside gradually developed attacks from their defensive base and Evans fired them ahead on 58 minutes. When Steve Turnbull got his marching orders 4 minutes later, General Henry found themselves down to ten men. Evans struck again on 70 mins and then the flood gates opened as Thomas 81 minutes, Ockwell 82 minutes, Sheppard 85 minutes and Lines 88 minutes piled on the goals.

Man of the Match Dave Kennard 

Team: P.Czajka, S.Gooding, T.Parker, M.Hine, G.Ockwell, M.Neville, B.Evans, D.Kennard, B.Thomas, D.Knight, S.Loversidge. Subs: R.Lines, T.Sheppard, J.Walsh, D.Hall.

Radio 5  606 Programme tonight (24/02/09)

Listen tonight if you can as Lavant Reserves may get a mention on Danny Baker’s show as Steve Bone the Chichester Observers Sports Editor has emailed this weeks match report to him.

Not only was it an eventful game to watch to say the least if you were a spectator at the pitch, but also Steve’s comment was “what a game” and apparently on last weeks 606 programme Danny Baker was asking the listeners to let him know if there had ever been a 6-6 draw!

Well there has been now and we may have just made history!

Up the Lavant

Barnham Reserves 3 Lavant 3

Dave Knight’s 84 min goal salvaged a point for Lavant in a game they needed to win in their bid to secure promotion.

The game was a very physical affair  but the visitors had 70% of possession throughout the game but made two errors in the first half. The whole team were only playing at half pace and their back three failed to organise properly against Liam Baldwin and Sean Lintergreen up front. As a result , they conceded two counterattack goals from Lintergreen on 14 mins and Brad Nixon 7 mins from half-time.

After a blistering from their coach , the Chichester side emerged in the second half, having rectified both faults.The homeside looked unlikely to score even from breakaways and Lavant played some good football with added effort and grit. They deserved their reward when the talented and hard-working Stuart Loversidge latched onto a through ball to beat the Barnham ‘keeper,Mark Duffield, and see co-striker , Ross Lines, run the ball into the empty net on 64 minutes.

Loversidge and Dave Kennard had already gone close. Loversidge himself hit the 22 yd equaliser 11 mins later and as Barnham tired, the winner looked inevitable.The moment came and went when Mike Neville teed up Ben Evans  in the 81st min only for the midfielder to clear the bar.

Then came the heartbreak moment when  Lavant’s goal-kick fell short and Barnham’s Nixon beat Greg Ockwell to the ball to hit his second and give the homeside what looked like the 3 points.

Then during another extended period of Lavant camping in Barnham’s half, defender Dave Payne was penalised for a high foot in the penalty area but an indirect free-kick was awarded.  The resulting shot was blocked but 17 year old Knight drilled home the rebound.

Loversidge nearly won it for the visitors 2 minutes from time but his effort rolled tantilisingly wide.

Coach David Parker commented:” We needed to win here and though we can give all the excuses there aren’t any. You can’t play for only 45 minutes, give the opposition a 2-0 lead and expect to pick up 3 points.  It’s inexcusable”.

Team: M.Pullen, S.Gooding, T.Parker, M.Hine, G.Ockwell, M.Neville, B.Evans, D.Kennard, J.Houghton, R.Lines, S.Loversidge. Sub: D.Knight, B.Thomas, D.Knight.

Stedham Reserves 6 Lavant Reserves 6

Lavant this week travelled away to Stedham on a very pleasant early spring day.  And the weather looked to have effected the visitors right from the kick-off as they started the game at a very lack lustre pace as Stedham immediately pinned them back in their own half.

To make matters worse with only 5 minutes gone Lavant conceded a very dubious soft penalty as Robbie Pinder headed the ball onto his uplifted hand, as he cleared the ball in front of the near post. Stedham duly converted the spot kick, 1-0.

Ten minutes later Lavant with their first real probing attack into the home-sides half were rewarded as Jon Strange’s lofted forward pass found Joe Hepworth who neatly squared the ball to Chris Withall who hit a ferocious shot into the top corner of the goal, drawing the teams level, 1-1.

Within a minute from the restart Lavant were caught napping as Stedham with their route one approach retook the lead as their striker broke free and rounded the keeper to score, 2-1.

Lavant were now on the back foot and could have gone even further behind if it were not for a fine one handed save from Pete Czajka in the Lavant goal. A Lavant counter attack involving Christian Swain and Justin Walsh in midfield saw the ball fall to unmarked Hepworth on the six yard line but his shot was somehow kept out by keeper Martyn Weightman.

With ten minutes of the half remaining Stedham conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Hepworth’s kick was driven hard and low into the crowded box as Tom Sheppard latched onto the ball forcing a reaction save by the keeper, the ball rebounded kindly back out to Sheppard who made no mistake second time around burying the ball from close range, 2-2.

Stedham’s reaction again was almost immediate as 5 minutes later Lavant’s sloppy marking gifted the homeside a goal allowing them to retake the lead, 3-2.

Then with only minute remaining Lavant almost drew level once more as Walsh’s cross was met by Hepworth who should have scored, but somehow Stedham cleared the ball out of the goalmouth lofting the ball down field, as their striker then got the better of Pinder and ran through unchallenged to score, surprisingly extending the home side’s
lead right on half time, 4-2.

Two goals from Tom Sheppard

During the interval Lavant were forced to make some changes due to injury as Simon Blackman and Stuart Eastwood came into the game. Blackman had an immediate effect as his long throw down the right flank was met by Sheppard, as he sweetly connected onto to the ball, scoring with only 3 minutes of the second half gone, 4-3.

Two minutes later Lavant were again level as straight from the restart they quickly moved the ball up into Stedham’s half and pressed forward with Withall winning the ball and braking free on the left flank, then unselfishly cutting the ball back across the box to the unmarked Hepworth who seemed take forever before drilling the ball past the stranded keeper, 4-4.

It was now all Lavant and six minutes later Hepworth’s lofted corner was headed in by Guy Pinder to the delight of whole team and especially his manager who he duly went over to celebrate with, 5-4.

This roller coaster game was far from over, as 4 minutes later Lavant suffered another set back as they defended valiantly as Stedham peppered the visitor’s goal, only for the ball to spill free and agonisingly cross the line as they conceding the softest of goals, 5-5.

With only 3 minutes remaining Lavant once more pressed forward, winning a series of corners.  Then up steps Guy Pinder to head home his second of the match, this time from a Swain corner, giving the visitor the lead once more and what surely must be the winning goal, 5-6.

Man of the Match Guy Pinder and scorer of two goals

Stedham however were not having any of it and with one last attack again levelled the score with only seconds before the final whistle.

Lavant manager Dave Kent was proud of his side’s performance and their determination never to give up and it was even more a result as Stedham were forced to field a number of their first team squad.

Team: Paul.Czajka, T.Sheppard, R.Pinder, N.Watts, G.Weller, G.Pinder, C.Swain, J.Walsh, J.Strange, J.Hepworth, C.Withall. Subs: S.Blackman, S.Eastwood, Pete.Czajka.

More action from Saturdays game against Petworth Reserves

Chris beats the keeper to the ball 

The ball spills free

Yax and the Petworth defender both chase after the ball, as the empty goal beckons

The defenders timely tackle clears the ball to safety, whilst grounding Yax

Lavant Reserves 4 Petworth Reserves 0

After three weeks without a game Lavant Reserves resumed their relegation battle hosting mid table Petworth Reserves.

Lavant started the game brightly and with only 7 minutes gone should have taken the lead when Chris Withall broke free on the left flank crossing the ball along the edge of the 6-yard box, but the outstretched Adam Yaxley was unable to make contact with the ball.

Chris Withall through on goalWith 12 minutes gone Simon Blackman was caught with the ball as Petworth broke free, but Neale Watts making his debut for Lavant was on hand to put in a timely tackle to deny the visitors.

Lavant suddenly looked nervous and minutes later were caught in disarray as Petworth piled on the pressure only to see their resulting shot go just wide of the right post.

Minutes later it was Lavant on the attack as Greg Ockwell’s long range shot from the right went inch’s wide and Christian Swain went close with an effort following good build up by the home side.

Greg Ockwell (LFC Res headband and all) gets his shot awayWith fifteen minutes of the first half remaining Blackman was again caught in possession as Petworth broke through, but a fantastic save by man of the match Paul Czajka in the Lavant goal ensured the score remained goalless.

With 2 minutes to go before half time Withall then broke free rounded the keeper and passed the ball through to Yaxley, who teed up his shot into an empty goal, but his split seconds hesitance was enough for the Petworth fullback to put in a timely goal saving tackle.

Just as half time beckoned Lavant finally broke the deadlock as Robbie Pinder’s route one pass found Withall who this time got free of his marker and drilled the ball home giving the homeside the lead going into the interval, 1-0.

The first five minutes of the second half saw a lively Petworth still reeling from the goal start very lively as they pressed forward for an equaliser, but again a great save form Czajka and the Lavant post kept the visitors at bay.

On 52 minutes Ockwell’s through ball down the middle of the pitch found Guy Pinder clear on goal but Reese Griffiths pulled off a great save to keep Petworth in the game.

Christian Swain battling to win the ball in midfield

Seven minutes later Watts pass found Ockwell wide on the left hand flank, as he cut inside the defender and shot from the edge of the box beating the keeper on the near post, 2-0.

Suddenly the complexion of the game had changed as Lavant were now playing some free flowing football and Ockwell should have scored his second of the game but Griffiths somehow got his outstretched hand to the ball and push it just over the bar to safety.

With 15 minutes remaining Chris Withall headed a Swain corner towards goal and the keeper was only able to parry the ball against the foot of the post, as Lavant substitute Joe Hepworth pounced and scored from close range making it three nil, 3-0.

Joe Hepworth adding the finishing touch. Or not?

To their credit Petworth never gave up, but today Lavant were in no mood to concede and in the 80th minute a Petworth corner was headed clear to Hepworth who on the counterattack quickly found Withall who raced pass the last defender to smash home his second of the game and wrap up a resounding victory for the home side, 4-0.

Chris Withall shooting on goal

Team: Paul.Czajka, S.Blackman, R.Pinder, N.Watts, J.Strange, D.Morris, G.Pinder, C.Swain, G.Ockwell, A.Yaxley, C.Withall. Subs: J.Hepworth, Pete.Czajka, M.Milburn.

Lavant 2 Predators 1

Mike Neville’s 72nd minute goal knocked Predators off their number two perch in the league and replaced them with a Lavant side who continued where they’d left off last Saturday.

Tom Parker and Matt Hine in an aerial battle defending from a Predators corner. 

In what throughout was always a hard physical battle, the homeside added a brand of quality passing which should have seen them well ahead by half-time. Instead the chances that fell to Neville, Chris Withall, Ben Evans, Jason Houghton and including a well-worked header for Dave Kennard which hit the bar went agonisingly close but brought the Chichester side no goals.

Shaun Gooding in on the tackle

The physical battle continued unabated after the restart. But when defender Sean Gooding uncharacteristically gave the ball away in midfield the visitors pounced immediately with Paul Harris finishing coolly to give the Bognor side a 53 min lead against the run of play. But Lavant were level within 2 mins when Kennard drove through the midfield and played the ball into the feet of striker, Stuart Loversidge. Lavant’s leading goalscorer took advantage of a dummy run by Greg Ockwell and used the decoy to turn the other way and fire the ball home past keeper, Max Fenton.

Mike Nevile’s first to the ball

Sean Walker worked amazingly hard for Predators but the key to the homeside’s success lay in their midfield trio and it was a move emanating from them that set up Neville’s winner. Sweeper Tom Parker summed up his team’s victory:” It was a workmanlike  performance from the whole team crowned by some good passing when we gained possession.”

Team: M.Pullen, S.Gooding, T.Parker, M.Hine, G.Ockwell, M.Neville, B.Evans, D.Kennard, J.Houghton, C.Withall, S.Loversidge. Sub: J.Walsh, D.Knight, A.Waters.

February Fixtures are out:

Lavant first team are home to Predators Reserves on the 7th February and then they travel away to Horsham Trinity in the next round of the Divsion II Charity Cup on the 14th.

Horsham Trinity are currently second in Division II North. They have played 15 games and have 28 points, with a goal differance of +17. This should prove to be an evan contest between both teams who are
both performing well in there respective leagues.

On the 21st they are away to Barnham Reserves and on the 28th they are at
home to General Henry.

Lavant Reserves only have two league fixtures in February.  On the 14th they
are home to Petworth Reseves and on the 21st they are away to
Stedham Reserves.

West Sussex League Results – 31st January

Division 2 South:

Barnham Res 4, Predators Res 3; Hunston CC 0, Worthing BCOB 1; Lavant 4, Lodsworth 2; Yapton 3, General Henry 1.

Division 4 South:

Harting 3, Newtown Villa III 1; Petworth Res 2, Boxgrove 3.

Lavant 4 Lodsworth 2

After their coach’s criticism for last Saturday’s performance, Lavant came out of the blocks with a combination of aggressive defending and neat possession football that produced a deserved 3-0 lead at half-time.

Stuart Loversidge opened the homeside’s account in the second minute and added another by converting the rebound off the post from a Ross Lines shot after Captain David Kennard’s midfield pass had split the Lodsworth defence.

Ben Evans completed a slick build up by the Chichester side with a stunning 20yd volley 3mins from the interval.

Lavant started the second-half as they had left off when Lodsworth’s Jamie O’Leary gave away a penalty which Lines converted 3 mins after the restart. Continued Lavant pressure led to a series of corners from which man-of- the-match Jason Houghton headed home in the 56 min only to find his goal disallowed for a team-mate’s infringement in the box.

The homeside brought on their 3 subs and gradually took their foot off the pedal. They were deservedly punished by the never-say-die Lodsworth when Tom Challon skillfuly headed home a pin-point cross on 67 mins and Leigh Marriner scrambled home the ball from a goalmouth melee in the 79min.

This reawakened the homeside who forced three brilliant saves from ‘keeper Ian Knight but the Midhurst team never gave up.  Nevertheless the 3 points are crucial to Lavant’s hopes to stay in top contention.

Team: M.Pullen, T.Sheppard, T.Parker, M.Hine, M.Neville, B.Evans, D.Kennard, J.Houghton, D.Hall, R.Lines, S.Loversidge. Sub: J.Walsh, B.Thomas, D.Knight.