Fishbourne 4 Lavant 0
Ryan Seacombe edges out two Fishbourne players to win the ball
Fishbourne advanced one step nearer the premiership with an emphatic win at Florence Road. The teams sparred evenly until a Fishbourne throw-in was “topped on” by Hugh Howden’s head. In an attempt to clear, Jason Houghton headed the ball just inside his own post on 24 minutes. Three minutes later, a rasping drive from the homeside’s midfield took a deflection from Lavant’s Tom Parker, leaving his ‘keeper, Chris Bowles, stranded and Fishbourne 2-0 in front.
Justin Walsh quick to move the ball on as Fishbourne’s Hugh Howden comes steaming in
But there was no doubt about Fishbourne’s third, when Duncan Terry found himself in possession on the right of the visitors’ penalty area and deftly curled the ball into the far top corner 6 minutes from half-time. Eight minutes into the second half, Fishboune’s Darren Cox fired wide from the penalty spot after Ockwell had decked Howden. Three minutes later, Lavant completed a hat-trick of own goals when Kennard headed into his own net, defending a right-wing cross to the far post.
MOM Greg Ockwell shields the ball ftrom the Fishbourne player
Lavant’s weakness throughout the game was a tendency to hit long balls forward too early, leaving their forwards isolated. But in the last 20 minutes they overcame this and looked more dangerous.
However manager, David Parker commented, “Fishbourne deserved their win. I particularly liked the way they controlled the game with composed passing even when we began to play better. I hope they get to the Premier Division. We need a Chichester side in there.”
Team: C.Bowles, D.Kennard, T.Parker, C.Coe, M.Neville, J.Walsh, G.Ockwell, J.Houghton, L.Weller, R.Seacombe, R.Lines. Subs R.Pinder, D.Knight, N.Watts.
Lavant Reserves 5 Milland 3
Lavant Reserves won their final game of the season by five goals to three on Saturday, but Lavant manager Cliff Massey would be first to admit the final score-line actually flattered his side at the end of this very scrappy match.
Early pressure from the homeside paid dividends as Lavant went ahead through leading scorer Adam Yaxley, with a neat finish from the edge of the box, 1-0.
The game then became very scrappy, with the ball being treated like a hot potato, as neither team were able to settling on the ball and taking control of the match.
Then with 30 minutes gone, the move of the game saw the homeside extend their lead. Left back Jon Strange played the ball up field to Ben Evans, whose square ball found left winger Daryl Hall just inside the Milland half, who then produced a 40 yard pinpoint pass into the path of the incoming Dave Mclean just inside the visitors box, who controlled the ball in mid-air on his foot and then volleyed into the net without the ball touching the floor, 2-0.
This then settled Lavant, who went on to dominate the remainder of the half, but unfortunately were unable to capitalise on their dominance and increase their tally going into half time.
A stern talking to by the Milland coach at half time bought the best out of the visitors as soon after the restart they were on the score sheet.
Two identical goals from long throw-ins to the back post saw the keeper Stuart Eastwood beaten twice, leaving the manager fretting on the touchline at 2-2.
Then in a frantic 5 minutes it saw Lavant get their third goal through an impressive finish from Tom Sheppard from the edge of the 18 yard line, 3-2. Straight from the kick off Milland won a corner.
The dead ball kick was floated over to the back post where their unmarked centre back coolly passed the ball into the back of the net, 3-3.
Following this Lavant made a change as Andy Strange replaced Yaxley and with only 5 minutes remaining and the game heading for a deserved draw for both sides, Daryl Hall won a free kick 35 yards out from goal.
Up stepped man of the match Shaun Massey who converted a peach of a free kick straight into the net, once again restoring Lavant’s lead, 4-3.
This destroyed Milland and with only minutes remaining on the clock a well placed cross from Ben Evans this time found Daryl Hall at the far post and with an acrobatic flick was able to steer the ball into the net, there ending the visitor’s gallant fight back, 5-3.
Assistant Manager Mel Milburn said afterwards “From such a poor game we still managed to score five goals and three of them are definitely contenders for goal of the season.”
Team: S.Eastwood, D.Morris, M.Ayers, J.Strange, D.Maclean, S.Massey, T.Sheppard, B.Evans, D.Hall, A.Yaxley, G.Pinder Subs: A.Strange, M.Milburn.
Mondays Results
5th April
Division 1:
Angmering 6 Henfield 1
West Chiltington 7 Wittering 0
Watersfield 2 Lavant 2
Division 4 South:
No fixtures