Watersfield 2 Lavant 2

Lavant took an even further depleted side after Saturday’s injuries to this Easter Monday contest, but dominated the first half.

Matt Price stabbed a Neville cross home on 9 minutes and Lou Weller lobbed the keeper 8 minutes later.

Lavant had 2 further clear chances to bury the game by half time, but the scores remained unchanged going into the break.

Watersfield’s only threat was aerial power from set pieces and it was from one of these that Matt Crump put the homeside back in the game on 55 minutes.

Lavant held out well but tired legs saw them surrender the midfield to the homeside and from a resulting corner Ashley Clark’s header crept in to equalise with only 6 minutes remaining.

The remaining minutes of the game were keenly contested by both teams but in the end no one was able to break the deadlock and so honours were even at the final whistle.

Lavant travel to Fishbourne on Saturday for the Chichester derby

Team: D.Kent, N.Watts, T.Parker, C.Coe, M.Neville, J.Walsh, J.Houghton, G.Ockwell, M.Price, R.Pinder, L.Weller. Subs: B.Evans, S.Eastwood.

Saturdays Results

3rd April

Division 1:
Angmering 5, Lavant 0
Watersfield 3, Hunston CC 2
West Chiltington 5, Partridge Green 0.

Division 4 South:
Fishbourne II 3, Tangmere 0
Lavant II 2, Ambassadors 1.

Angmering 5 Lavant 0

Lavant made their visit to Angmering without their 3 leading goalscorers. But this was just the start of their ills.

The Chichester side started well but when ‘keeper, Tom Turner, brought down Ashley Finch it ended in Turner going to Hospital and Stan Elder giving the homeside the lead from the penalty spot on 10 mins.

Danny Cooper added two more on 15 and 17 mins before being sent off just before half-time.

Lavant picked up 5 yellow cards and their one man advantage was lost when Walsh was sent for an early bath 8 mins into the second half, after being awarded a straight red for a late challange.

Ericson and Wood added two more for the league leaders, to end a game full of incidents.

Assistant manager, Dave Kent commented ” Given so many set-backs, the team battled hard and must now pick themselves up for Monday’s game”.

Lavant: T.Turner, D.Kennard, T.Parker, C.Coe, M.Neville, J.Walsh, G.Ockwell, M.Hine, M.Price, L.Weller, R.Lines. Subs R.Pinder, N.Watts.

Lavant Reserves 2 Ambassadors 1

Two great strikes from Shaun Massey and Jason Houghton made the difference as eventually Lavant grabbed all three valuable in a game in which they found it hard to breakdown a stubborn Ambassadors team.

This fixture could have easily gone the other way with Ambassadors starting the brighter of the two teams .

The opening 20 minutes saw sloppy play by Lavant, but thanks to full backs David Morris and Daryl Hall they stemmed the flow of most of the visitor’s attacks emanating from down the flanks.

This prompted manager Cliff Massey to give his side a furious verbal wake up call from the side lines and this seemed to work as Lavant upped the tempo and started to press the visitors half and finally test the Ambassadors keeper.

Jason Houghton denied by the hand of the keeper as Lavant’s Adam Clarke and Guy Pinder look on

With 30 minutes gone the impressive Morris whipped in a ball from the right flank, which was met by striker Chris Withall, who neatly laid the ball off to Massey just outside the box, who let fly with a rocket of a shot into the top left corner of the net, 1-0.

This goal advantage gave Lavant the impetus to take control of the game and press forward once more from the restart and only good goal keeping the Ambassadors keeper ensured the score remained unchanged going into the interval.

With no changes needed at half time and Cliff Massey rallying the troops once more, Lavant started the second half well producing several clear efforts on goal early on, with only the crossbar and post denying Ben Evans and Massey.

Jason Houghton heading on as Daryl Hall and Ben Evans race to meet the ball

In the 65 minute a fine long range effort by Morris went inches wide and from the resulting goal kick, Lavant immediately won the ball back in midfield, for Evans to go on a mazy run into the box before cutting back and picking out Jason Houghton 25 yards out, who side stepping the defender and unleashed a fine strike into the back of the net, leaving the keeper rooted too the spot, 2-0.

Tom Sheppard battles to keep control of the ball

With 15 minutes remaining Lavant had a chance too wrap up the game, with a fine move finding Tom Sheppard free in acres of space and with only the keeper too beat, but somehow he managed to completely sliced his effort wide of goal, perhaps demonstrating why he is not better suited at the back, than up front.

Ambassadors during the whole game never gave up and were always a threat, and as Lavant missed their opportunity to go into a commanding three nil lead, the visitors were within minutes back in the game as a defender beating the offside trap and ran through and slotting the ball home past keeper Martin Pullen, 2-1.

Chris Withall winning the aerial battle

This made for a very nervy remaining 12 minutes on the side line for the Lavant’s management team, but with the introduction of top scorer Adam Yaxley into the game, he was able to press forward and create further changes, forcing Ambassadors back to defend their goal for the few remaining minutes to full time.

Manager Cliff Massey said “the players responded well after some persuasion from the side lines after a poor first 20 minutes, as it could have been over that early, but credit too them ,they listened and acted on it and we came out victorious.”

Team: M.Pullen, D.Morris, S.Eastwood, G.Pinder, D.Hall, A.Clarke, S.Massey, J.Houghton, T.Sheppard, C.Withall, B.Evans. Subs: A.Yaxley, M.Milburn.

Lavant Reserves 9 Yapton Reserves 2

A goal feast wasn’t on the agenda for this game as Lavant Reserves faced a tight fixture against local rivals Yapton Reserves, who were only one place below them in the league table.

But boy did Lavant go about their job right from the kick off, displaying the perfect attitude in an effort to erase the previous weeks disappointing defeat and they were rewarded at the final whistle with a convincing 9-2 win.

Lavant start well and were spreading the ball around the pitch through the midfield field quartet of Dave Knight, Guy Pinder, Shaun Massey and Tom Sheppard and with only five minutes gone Knight causing havoc down the left flank opened the scoring for the homeside, 1-0.

With Lavant controlling the game they pushed forward at every chance and with in form striker Ross Lines up front it was not long before Lavant went further ahead and perhaps had killed the game off by half time as he scored a hat trick ensuring the homeside went into half time in a commanding 4-0 lead.

The visitors still shell shocked from the first 45 minutes football, were subjected to much the same display from Lavant in the second half, as they tried in vain to get a foothold into the game.

With stand-in left back Dave Maclean linking well with Knight they were able to create numerous opportunities breaking down the left flank and cutting into the box, where Dan Mortimer was taking advantage of such bountiful supply of crosses as he scored twice in 15 minutes to further extend the homesides lead to 6-0.

With 30 minutes remaining Adam Yaxley came on for Alan Sheppard and wasted no time in getting involved in the game as he picked out Weller who scored what was most probably the best goal of the game, 7-0.

With everyone now wanting to score Lavant lost their shape somewhat and the back four were caught to far forward, as the Yapton striker chased down a long through ball, beating substitute Stuart Eastwood and slotting the ball past the very annoyed Lavant keeper Tom Turner, 7-1.

With only ten minutes of the game remaining there was still time for three more goals, as Dan Mortimer scored twice more for Lavant taking his tally to four in the match and Yapton to their credit who never gave up scored a later consolation goal as the score ended 9-2 at the final whistle.

Man of the match Guy Pinder commented “in recent games we have created chances without playing well, but not converted them, but today the whole team played so well, creating numerous chances to score and this took the pressure off the strikers and so they just scored with ease”.

Team: T.Turner, D.Morris, T.Sheppard, T.Parker, D.Maclean, A.Sheppard, S.Massey, G.Pinder, D.Knight, R.Lines, D.Mortimer. Subs: A.Yaxley, S.Eastwood, L.Weller, J.Strange.

Henfield 2 Lavant 4

Lavant completed a March fixture list that has witnessed their best run of results since joining Division One with a win at Henfield.

The quagmire state of the pitch combined with Henfield’s style of play provided a possible banana skin for the visitors to slip up on.

The Chichester side, however, dominated the first half with Ryan Seacombe converting a Justin Walsh through ball on 11 minutes to give the visitors the lead.

Last week’s hero, Ross Lines put them further ahead 5 minutes later and the two combined for Seacombe to give Lavant a 3-0 advantage at half-time.

The visitors could have gone further ahead just after the restart but as conditions deteriorated Henfield came further into the game and Jamie Smith curled a 68 min free-kick into the top corner to reward the homeside’s efforts.

In pouring rain and a sea of mud, the match became a battle of physical endurance. After a series of corners and throw-ins, the homeside looked like staging a comeback when Rowbotham’s flick on was volleyed home by Matt Mead 6 minutes from time.

But these hopes were dashed 2 minutes later when Seacombe completed his hat-trick by heading home Tom Parker’s pin-point free-kick.

Lavant: T.Turner, D.Kennard, T.Parker, C.Coe, M.Neville, J.Walsh, G.Ockwell, A.Sheppard, M.Price, R.Seacombe, R.Lines. Subs M.Hine, N.Watts.

Tangmere 3 Lavant Reserves 2

Revenge was on the minds of the Tangmere players leading up to this game after Lavant had beaten them 4-0 earlier in the season.

Lavant started the brighter producing some good possession football and creating chances and this early pressure paid dividends on 10 minutes when Dan Mortimer opened the scoring for the visitors after some neat work down the right by Tom Sheppard, 0-1.

After the goal Lavant stepped up another gear as they played some good possession football but with Adam Yaxley seemingly leaving his shooting boots back in the changing rooms, they were unable to provide the finishing touch and extend their lead.

On 25 minutes Lavant’s opportunity came as Yaxley was fouled in the area and the referee Mark Ledbetter pointed straight too the spot. Up stepped Yaxley to make amends for earlier misses, but the keeper guessed the right way, producing a great save, keeping the score at one nil to the visitors.

This was a wake up call for Tangmere and they grew stronger as the half progressed, creating a couple of good chances, but with keeper Chris Bowles in fine form in the Lavant goal the score remained unchanged going into half time.

With no changes at half time and a stern talking to by manager Cliff Massey, Lavant begun the second half just like the first, creating a couple of early chances. But it was Tangmere who got the next goal, using a route one approach the ball was launched over the top of the stranded defenders, allowing their striker to run through and level the score, 1-1.

All of a sudden the game seemed to be favouring the now stronger Tangmere team, but from a rare break from defence Lavant won a corner, which Shaun Massey floating into the box and the ball was scrambled across the goal line by Adam Yaxley on his second attempt, 1-2.

Tangmere’s reply was almost instant as straight from the kick off they pressed forward winning a corner themselves and with the wind conditions in Tangmere favour they whipped the ball into the far corner of the goal, 2-2.

Tangmere sensing the victory were in front for the first time in the game two minutes later with a well worked move, 3-2.

In an attempt to get something from the game Lavant made changes to the team bringing off Yaxley and Ayers and replacing them with Chris Withall and Scott Yaxley.

The remaining 15 minutes were evenly matched with both teams having chances to score, but good goalkeeping by both keepers ensuring deadlock remained right up to the final whistle as Tangmere claim all three points precious points in the race for the league title.

Lavant’s assistant manager Mel Milburn commented “the game could have been over in the first 30 minutes as we had 5 or 6 gilt edge chances, not too mention the penalty. But Tangmere showed their strength and resolve to get all the points. There is no however no criticism aimed at our strikers today, as it’s their goals that have kept us in the promotion race all season long. We win as a team and we also lose as a team”.

Team: C.Bowles, J.Strange, M.Ayers, S.Eastwood, M.Smith, D.Maclean, S.Massey, T.Sheppard, J.Houghton, A.Yaxley, D.Mortimer. Subs: S.Yaxley, C.Withall, A.Clarke.

Saturdays Results

13th March

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 5, Faygate Utd 3
Henfield 2, Wittering Utd 4
Partridge Green 2, Hunston CC 2
Watersfield 1, Angmering 2
West Chiltington 2, Lavant 3.

Division 4 South:
Ambassadors 3, Coal Exchange 3
Lodsworth II 1, Lavant II 2
Yapton II 1, Fishbourne II 4.

West Chiltington 2 Lavant 3

With West Chiltington in the running for promotion and having won 7-0 the last time the two met, the form book predicted a home win.

The visitors however had changed their formation and personnel to counter Chiltington’s impressive strengths and this showed throughout the first 45 minutes.

Ross Lines could have put Lavant ahead but scuffed his shot. At the other end the very impressive Pulling swivelled on the penalty spot to give the homeside the lead on 27 minutes, 1-0.

With the match evenly balanced, the second half followed the same pattern. From a Chiltington free-kick ‘keeper, Tom Turner was buffeted by Pulling and Wolters headed home from the rebound on 50 minutes to put the homeside 2-0 in front.

But Lavant continued in confident mood with Dave Knight causing the homeside problems on the right flank. His through ball to Lines saw the striker unleash an unstoppable 20 yard volley into the far top corner and the Chichester side were back in the game with 27 minutes remaining.

Continued Lavant pressure found midfielder, Alan Sheppard get ahead of his marker from Knight’s corner to level the score on 72 minutes.

The fight back was completed when a six man move saw Knight’s cross headed home by the ubiquitous Lines 5 minutes from time and Lavant claimed all 3 points.

Manager, David Parker said ” We got the formation, tactics and personnel right but all that would be worth nothing if the foot soldiers didn’t come up with goods. They did and I’m so proud of the lads.”

Team: T.Turner, D.Kennard, T.Parker, C.Coe, D.Knight, J.Walsh, G.Ockwell, A.Sheppard, R.Pinder, R.Seacombe, R.Lines. Subs(unused) J.Strange, M.Price.

Lodsworth Reserves 1 Lavant 2

With the manager Cliff Massey choosing to stick with virtually the same side that caved in to Fishbourne the week before, it was going to be down to the players this week to put in a performance worthy of repaying the faith, the manager had continued to put in them.

The opening half saw Lavant play up the slope of the Lodsworth pitch and during the early stages of the game they pressed forward exhibiting some promising football with Shaun Massey orchestrating the attack from midfield and setting up several good attempts on goal.

The breakthrough came on twenty minutes, as Massey and Dave Maclean combined down the left flank before crossing the ball into the box and as the Lodsworth defence scrambled to clear the ball, Lavant’s leading striker Adam Yaxley was quickest to react burying the ball into the back of the net from close range, as he scored his 10th goal of the season, 0-1.

From the re-start the Lavant players continue to press forward looking for the second goal but good defence play from Lodsworth ensured the score remained unchanged going into half time.

With Lavant playing down the slope second half they seemed to take their foot off the gas, thinking the remaining 45 minutes was somehow going to be easier going downhill and so without some good defending by man of the match Stuart Eastwood from Lodsworth’s aerial pressure put on the visitors by their long ball approach the homeside would have drawn level.

Lavant responded by continuing to play football and increased their lead with their with their best move of the match, as a Lodsworth clearance rebounded off Mclean into the path of striker Chris Withall, who went on a mazy dribble to the 18 yard line before putting in a perfect cross to the path of the incoming Tom Sheppard who slotted the ball home from the 18 yards, 0-2.

Two nil up and in control of the game, Lavant of the previous week suddenly reared its head, as passes went array as the visitors failed to keep possession for any length of time. This allowed Lodsworth to have the belief they could still get something out the game.

Then as two defenders clattering into each other the Lodsworth striker raced through unchallenged to make it 2-1.

With 10 minutes remaining Lodsworth pushed everyone forward in search of the equaliser, thus leaving gapping holes in their defence for Lavant to capitalize on.

The game was now wide open, but in the end neither side were able to change the score further as the remaining minutes ran out.

Lavant Manager Cliff Massey said afterwards “I wanted to give the lads a chance to put right the wrongs of last week and for 60 minutes they did this, but we need to learn to remain focused for 90 minutes plus each game. However overall I am pleased with today’s result.”

Team: M.Pullen, D.Morris, M.Ayers, S.Yaxley, S.Eastwood, D.Maclean, S.Massey, G.Pinder, C.Withall, A.Yaxley. Subs: J.Houghton, A.Clarke, M.Millburn.

Saturdays Results

6th March

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 3, Lavant 3
Faygate Utd 3, Hunston CC 0
Partridge Green 1, Fishbourne 1
West Chiltington 3, Henfield 0
Wittering Utd 2, Angmering 6.

Division 4 South:
Coal Exchange 3, Yapton II 0
Fishbourne II 4, Lavant II 0
Selsey FC A 7, Ambassadors 1
Tangmere 7, Milland 1.

Ashington Rovers 3 Lavant 3

Tom Parker’s 90th minute goal salvaged a valuable point for Lavant on their visit to Ashington. For the first half, Lavant could just as well still have been in the dressing room.

When ‘keeper Bowles brought down Ashington’s James Kenward after 7 minutes and Danny Yeomans converted the spot kick, it was just the natural consequence of a Lavant defence that had more holes than a Yarlsberg cheese.

But the visitors struck back 4 minutes later, when striker Ryan Seacombe fastened onto a precision through ball and put Lavant level. Lavant could have then gone ahead when Seacombe put Price through but Walton saved well.

Eight minutes from half-time, Kenward’s cross was met by Yeomans head to regain Ashington the lead.

At half-time a managerial roasting and a change of tactics saw a rejuvenated Lavant. But, despite going close twice themselves, they conceded a third goal from an individual error as Halfday headed the homeside into a 2 goal lead on 70 minutes.

Six minutes later, midfielder, Justin Walsh released a 40 yard effort that Walton spilled and Ross Lines was on hand to put Lavant back in the game at 3-2.

The visitors completed their fight back when Parker headed home Mike Neville’s corner in the dying seconds.

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, S.Gooding, T.Parker, C.Coe, M.Price, D.Kennard, J.Walsh, M.Neville, R.Seacombe, R.Lines. Sub: R.Pinder, A.Clarke.

Fishbourne Reserves 4 Lavant Reserves 0

For the second match in a row Lavant made a sluggish start and right from kick-off sat back and invited Fishbourne to attack and they accepted the invitation playing some good attacking football with good movement off the ball and accurate passing.

The homeside’s almost open the scoring in the first few minutes, but for a great one handed save by recalled keeper Martin Pullen, as he somehow managed pushed the ball round the post and wide of goal. It wasn’t however very long before Fishbourne’s constant pressure told as they took a deserved lead with ten minutes gone, 1-0.

Throughout the rest of the first half Fishbourne looked the better team with their young side attacking at every opportunity, constantly putting the visitors defence under pressure. But with Pullen in impressive form the homeside were unable to capitalize further on their early goal, going into the break.

At the start of the second half Lavant seemed to have more purpose in their game as their passing improved, but on 55 minutes as centre back Martin Ayres limped off injured Fishbourne capitalized, putting together a good move from midfield of the park and scoring their second of the match, which proved a decisive goal as the Lavant players heads dropping is despair, 2-0.

Lavant were then forced to make changes and on a brighter note on a disappointing day for Lavant, Jason Houghton making only his second appearance this season after being laid off with a long term injury was introduced into the game.

Houghton’s had an immediate impact on the match revitalised Lavant once more as they enjoyed probably their best spell of the game, forcing the Fishbourne keeper to make a number of saves. But the young Fishbourne side still full of energy were quick on the counterattack and twice more made Lavant pay for their poor defending, as they in the end eventually ran out worthy winners resoundingly beating the visitors 4-0 at the final whistle.

Lavant’s man of the match Martin Pullen summed up the teams performance ” a slow start and poor passing meant we were always going to be second best and with Fishbourne competed right up to the final whistle it was they not us that showed a real desire to win this encounter.”

Team: M.Pullen, M.Richardson, M.Ayers, S,Yaxley, N.Watts, D.Maclean, S.Massey, G.Pinder, C.Withall, D.Mortimer. Subs: A.Yaxley, M.Millburn.

Lavant 1 Angmering 7

Angmering deservedly made it 9 wins from 9 games with their visit to Lavant. But it was the homeside who had the better of the game for the first quarter hour, squandering 3 well created chances.

Then, against the run of play, Angmering took the lead. The Lavant ‘keeper’s error put the defence under pressure and Coe brought down Wood for Elder to dispatch the spot kick on 11 minutes.

Eight minutes later, Atterwell increased the visitor’s lead with a well executed goal. This gave Angmering the confidence that was lacking earlier and they scored twice more before half-time through Wood on 24 and Elder on 32 minutes.

Lavant changed personnel and formation for the second half and forced Angmering to give away an own goal 2 minutes into the half. But, despite the Chichester side’s Lines and Seacombe hitting the woodwork, it was Angmering who found the goals with Durham on 56 and Cooper on 70 minutes, with a Lines own goal sandwiched in between.

Coach, David Parker, commented,” Stuart Smith’s Angmering were quality in every department and will go on to do well in the Premier. They deserved their win but the scoreline wasn’t a true reflection of the game. They took their chances: we didn’t.”

Team: C.Bowles, G.Ockwell, S.Gooding, T.Parker, C.Coe, D.Knight, D.Kennard, S. Massey, L.Weller; R.Seacombe, A.Sheppard. Subs: J.Walsh, R.Lines and D.Hall.

During the game against Henfield, Ben picked up a nasty cut to his knee which reqiured visit to the hospital after the game. This injury is likely to keep Ben out of action for at least the next four weeks, which is bad news for Lavant as we approach the crucial latter part of the season. We all send him our kind regards and wish him a speed recovery.

Saturdays Results

13th February

Division 1:
Angmering 5, Watersfield 1
Fishbourne 5, Wittering Utd 0
Hunston CC 3, Ashington Rovers 5
Lavant 2, Henfield 1.

Division 4 South:
Coal Exchange 6, Lodsworth II 2
Selsey FC A 2, Lavant II 0
Yapton II 2, Tangmere 2.

Lavant 2 Henfield 1

Tom Parker points the way

Unlike their opponents, Lavant had not played a game since 13 December last year. Right from kick off Henfield’s tactics were revealed. With big strong defenders and midfielders, they physically scrapped for the ball and pumped it over the top for Rob Peckham to run onto. Lavant central defenders Matt Court and Shaun Gooding dealt with this threat, but Henfield were dominant in midfield and the Chichester side fell into the visitor’s style of play.

Dave Knight on the ball

With the first half goalless, the game was changed when Court chopped down Warne in the box and Simon Price dispatched the spot kick on 47 minutes to put Henfield ahead, 0-1.

For Lavant, it was the best thing that could have happened. Dave Kennard and Ben Evans came alive in midfield for the homeside as Lavant finally kept the ball down and played a more composed passing game.

Then the Chichester side were awarded a free-kick outside the “D” and Tom Parker’s effort was spilled by ‘keeper, Kevin Thorns, and Gooding pounced to make the score level on 50 minutes, 1-1.

Parker was back again 5 minutes later to capitalise on a Ross Lines cross and fire home the winner from close range, 2-1.

In the latter part of the game Lavant were forced to make changes bringing on Shaun Massey and Justin Walsh to replace firstly Gooding who limped of injured and then Ben Evans who received a serious knee injury and was taken to hospital.

The enforced changes never stopped the homeside from pushing forward and trying to play football and Lavant could have scored at least 3 more times before the final whistle, but they squandered gilt-edged chances in front of goal, nevertheless in the end gaining the 3 point win.

Team: C.Bowles, G.Ockwell, S.Gooding, M.Court, M.Hine, D.Knight, D.Kennard, B.Evans, L.Weller; T.Parker, R.Lines. Subs: S.Massey, J.Walsh and T. Sheppard.

Selsey FC A 2 Lavant Reserves 0

On a cold Saturday afternoon in February, this was going to be a game too warm the away supporters on the touchline.

With Selsey fielding a strong side, Lavant were likely to struggle from the start in this encounter after being plagued by injures the week before and having to field an almost completely different side from the one that faced Selsey only one month earlier.

Straight from kick off the Selsey players took the game too Lavant and they played some nice attractive football, ensuring Lavant were on the back foot defending their goal, whilst the homeside were working hard to forge a number of changes.

Selsey should have taken the lead as one chance saw their striker facing an open goal but somehow his effort went wide of goal, to the relief of the visitors.

This was only a stay of execution as on 30 minutes a poor goal clearance out of the Lavant defence went straight to a Selsey player, as he then proceeded to run in on goal and slot the ball home past keeper Tom Turner, 1-0.

This spurred Lavant into action as they once more found their passion to win the ball, but the passing game wasn’t to be, as Selsey matched the visitor’s effort and worked hard to ensure they had no time on the ball to settle.

As a result the last 15 minutes of the half ended in deadlock with the homeside going into break with a deservedly one nil lead.

The second half started the brighter for Lavant with Mel Milburn and Martin Pullen making a change, bringing on Chris Withall to bolster the attack.

Two good chances then fell to the Lavant, both to Robbie Pinder, but on both occasions his effort went just agonisingly just over the cross bar. Then a poor clearance from the injured Lavant keeper Turner fell to Selsey, as they once more capitalised on the mistake making it two nil to the home side on 65 minutes.

Even with the keeper and also their centre back both going off injured Lavant still pressed Selsey trying for the elusive goal. After a gritty midfield display chances just weren’t being carved out and after yet another injury to the visitors, a mix up in communication followed between the mangers and Lavant ended up playing the last 20 minutes with only 10 players, all of which played into the hands of Selsey who saw out the remaining minutes of the game to claim all three valuable points.

Milburn and Pullen said of the players after the game. “Even with a depleted squad for today’s game against one of the best teams in the league, the players gave it their all; always believing they could still get something from the game right up to the final whistle, showing their real desire to win this encounter.”

Team: T. Turner, A.Strange, M.Ayers, N.Watts, D.Morris, D.Maclean, A.Waters, G.Pinder, S.Yaxley, R.Pinder, A.Yaxley. Subs: C.Withall, M.Pullen, S.Eastwood.

Saturdays Results

6th February

Division 1:
Faygate Utd 3, Fishbourne 5
Hunston CC 4, Partridge Green 1
Watersfield 5, Henfield 0
West Chiltington 1, Ashington Rovers 1
Wittering Utd v Angmering – postponed.

Division 4 South:
Fishbourne II 0, Coal Exchange 1
Lavant II 4, Tangmere 0
Lodsworth II 2, Yapton II 6
Milland 2, Selsey FC A 2.

Fortune favours the Brave

Lavant Reserves 4 Tangmere 0

“Fortune favours the brave “was the battle cry ringing in the home players ears at the start of this top of the table clash with Tangmere, who have been leading the table for most of the season so far.

The Lavant players certainly matched their counterparts physical style of play right from the kick off and it was the homeside which broke the deadlock, going in front on 10 minutes after a touchline clearance by Ben Evans found Alan Sheppard on the right, who crossed for the speedy Tom Parker to score on his second attempt after a fine save, 1-0.

The game was pretty even after 20mins with both teams finding it hard too play the passing game, with tackles flying in and a lot of free kicks being conceded by both teams. This seemed to suit Tangmere’s game plan as they constantly tired to capitalize on the dead ball situation, but they hadn’t taken into account Lavant’s excellent rear guard.

Then on the half hour the tables were turned when an Evans free kick was flicked on by Parker into the path of Shaun Gooding who scored Lavant’s second with a bullet header, 2-0.

This then sparked a Tangmere revival as they piled on the pressure from the restart, forcing the homeside onto the back foot and giving Lavant a few anxious moments, but keeper Tom Turner was in fine form in goal and determined to keep a clean sheet.

Lavant soaked up the pressure, then as the onslaught broke down they quickly counterattacked with Shaun Massey playing a lovely through ball to Sheppard who was eventually bought down in the area and referee Adrian Harris awarding a penalty. Turner keen to take the spot kick, stepped up and convincingly despatched the penalty home, giving Lavant a convincing lead going into the break, 3-0.

The second half started much brighter for Lavant, with an early chance falling to team captain and man of the match Guy Pinder to further extend the lead, but his effort six yards out was somehow swiped clear of the goal.

With 20 minutes remaining Lavant’s pressure finally told and they saved the best goal of the game for last, a real team effort, passing football from the back through to the front, eventually finding Adam Yaxley in space who fired in from 25 yards.

Their effectively ending the visitors hopes of getting something out of the game, 4-0.

The Lavant management team of Milburn and Pullen commented after the game, “Our players not only matched their counterparts in effort, but additionally showed their real desire to win this tough encounter against the league leaders.”

Team: T. Turner, J.Walsh, S.Gooding, T.Sheppard, B.Evans, D.Maclean, S.Massey, T.Parker, G.Pinder, A.Yaxley, A.Sheppard. Subs: L.Weller, S.Yaxley, R.Pinder.