Saturdays Results

30th January

Division 1:
West Chiltington 4, Hunston CC 1
Wittering Utd 1, Fishbourne 3
Henfield 0, Partridge Green 1.

Division 4 South:
Coal Exchange 1 Lavant Reserve 2

Coal Exchange 1 Lavant Reserves 2

After three weeks without a game Lavant reserves made the short trip across county to Emsworth to play a much needed league fixture.

Lavant fielded a strong side, however with the players not having played for over three weeks and the pitch looking heavy from the recent rain, getting a result from this match was not going to be easy and as it proved would require a hard working team performance.

Both teams started the game cautiously, but the breakthrough came on 14 minutes for the visitors, as the homeside’s keeper made a mess of clearing a back pass, as the ball fell fortuitously to Lavant striker Adam Yaxley on the edge of the box, who placed the ball past the stranded keeper, taking his goal tally to eight so far this season, 1-0.

Lavant now well into their stride, piled on the pressure, as the Coal Exchange were force to defend for much of the remainder of the half, and rarely threatened Tom Turner in the Lavant goal.

Dave Maclean came close to extending the visitors lead on the half hour, but his effort went agonisingly just over the goal and Alan Sheppard had two gilt edge chances to score as he twice broke clear one on one with the keeper, but each time failed to capitalize.  One effort was tamely hit straight at the keeper and the other going just over the bar. As a result, making him a clear contender for this year’s miss of the season.

The score however remained unchanged going into the break, with the Coal Exchange leaving the pitch with a feeling optimism at still being in contention and Lavant feeling frustrated at not taking their chances and extending their slender lead.

The second half started much the same as the first half ended with Lavant pushing forward and pressurizing the homeside’s goal. But the Coal Exchange were well organised and hard to breakdown.  Then in the 65^th minute Scot Yaxley’s corner seemed to be headed across the line by Maclean but neither the referee John Hill or the linesman gave the decision, to the frustration of the Lavant players.

Five minutes later Lavant’s frustrations got worse as they paid the price for not converting their earlier chances, as a quick counterattack saw the Coal Exchange man of the match Patrick Malterson run through and level the score, 1-1.

Lavant then showed their true character, as straight from the restart they continued to press for the winning goal. On 80 minutes Shaun Massey’s long throw into the box was headed goal bound until ex Lavant player Simon Blackman headed off the line to again deny the visitors.

Finally the breakthrough came for the visitors as Maclean won the ball in midfield, passing wide left to substitute Robbie Pinder, who played a delightful ball through the defence, allowing Alan Sheppard to run clear and slot the ball home from an acute angle with just 4 minutes of the game remaining, 1-2.

The Coal Exchange were still not finished and in the dieing minutes of the match their route one approach almost paid off when Lavant were caught napping in the middle of the park, as the homeside’s striker broke free with the ball, one on one with the keeper.  But Turner had other ideas and pulled off a great save deflecting the ball wide of the goal, ensuring Lavant ended the game bagging all three precious points.

Team: T. Turner, D.Hall, S.Gooding, T.Sheppard, J.Strange, D.Maclean, S.Massey, B.Evans, S.Yaxley, A.Yaxley, A.Sheppard. Subs: D.Morris, R.Pinder.

On behalf of Lavant Football Club we would like to wish all the officials, players, sponsors, supporters and villagers of Lavant a very Happy Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.

Thank You

Thank you goes especially this Christmas to our sponsors who again this season have kindly backed the village football club. They include the Giles and Ruth landlords of The Earl of March, Alan & Sue Smith, John & Jan Squires, The Lavant Fete Committee and Lavant Parish Council.

Without their continued support for the village football club, Lavant FC would not be on the secure footing the club finds itself today. Especially more significant as we approach the centenary season of the football club. What an achievement 100 years the village has had football team.

A great reason why we should celibrate our love for the village and fooball, which all started at grass roots level in late 1800’s and which has always been a significant part of the village communittee and we hope it will be for many years to come.

Congratulations this Christmas also goes out to Guy Pinder, his wife Emma and daughter Amberley, as they have just had an addition to the family.
A baby boy, Alexander Pinder born early am 28th December 09.

Hopefully a future LFC player.

Dates to Remember:
League fixtures for the New Year kick-off on the 2nd January.
The first team have no game (so an extended holiday period), but the Reserves are home to Selsey FC ‘A’, kick-off 2.00pm. Training also starts back at Chichester College on the 6th January, 6.30pm start.
Running through to the last Wednesday in March.

Raughmere Park December 09

And finally

Captain Mike Neville’s Christmas Conundrum

In an attempt to get the forum up and running again, as it has somewhat stalled recently apart from Scouse wishing everyone a Happy Christmas. Mike has this conundrum.
Who is the famous ex-footballer Mike is so lovingly cuddling?

Answers on the Forum please. 

Lavant 5 Wittering 1

With the return of Shaun Gooding to the back four and Ryan Seacombe’s debut, Lavant secured their first win since 26 September. Again the Chichester side began brightly and apart from a stinging free-kick from John Haseel, which forced a great save from Bowles, Wittering looked unlikely to pierce a solid Lavant defence.

Dave Kennard attacking Wittering’s goal

Captain Mike Neville who was awarded Man of the Match, was upended in the 18yd box but no penalty was awarded. Despite their ascendancy, the homeside saw half-time drawing near without any goal advantage until Seacombe span and launched a 25 yard shot. Its deflection fell to co-striker Alan Sheppard who fired home from 3 yards on 40 minutes. The leading goal scorer was there again 4 minutes later to turn home a fierce David Kennard cross.

Dave Kennard’s cross is met by Alna Sheppard in the 6 yard box,as he scores his and Lavant’s second of the match

The team celibrate Alan’s second.

What a time to score 1 minute before the interval Lavant extended their 2-0 half-time lead on 47mins when Gooding headed home a Matt Hine free-kick after Seacombe was fouled. Two minutes later, Ross Lines lobbed the ‘keeper but the goal was eventually disallowed. Seacombe put the homeside further ahead though 2 minutes after that with his debut goal.

Ryan Seacombe through on goal and about to score his first goal of many for Lavant

Talented Tom Bailey grabbed a consolation goal for Wittering on 54 minutes as Lavant lost discipline and poured forward, chasing goal glory. They were recalled to order and sealed up the game. Lines got his just reward with Lavant’s fifth goal 5 minutes from time.

Ross Lines skips the tackle heading in on the Wittering goal

Team: C.Bowles, G.Ockwell, S.Gooding, T.Parker, M.Hine, M.Neville, B.Evans, D.Kennard, R.Lines, R.Seacombe, A.Sheppard. Subs: D.Knight, M.Price, L.Weller.

Wittering: Turner, Couth, Clarke, Etherington, Haskel, Lowe, Haseel, Stover, Bailey, Sandells, Lee, Farquinar, TurnerA,  Bailey.J

Yapton Reserves 1 Lavant Reserves 4

Lavant this week had a relatively short trip to Eastergate to play local rivals Yapton Reserves in the thier next scheduled league fixture.

Lavant took the lead on 25 minutes with a goal from a player currently very much in form Dave Maclean, 0-1.

The score then remained unchanged going into half time.

The second half saw two goals from Guy Pinder, with the first goal and probably the killer goal for the homeside coming just one minute after the restart, 0-2, and Guy’s second goal coming ten minutes later, 0-3.

Yapton then scored giving them a foothold back into the game, 1-3 and ensuring that the remaining half hour of the match was very keenly contested by both teams, as Yapton pressed in an effort to further reduce their deficit and Lavant dug deep and defended their lead.

The visitors however wrapped up the game in the 85th minutes as Adam Yaxley scored further extending their lead, ensuring Lavant returned home with all three valuable league points, 1-4.

Team: T. Turner, D.Morris, D.Hall, D.Kent, D.Maclean, S.Yaxley, C.Swain, G.Pinder, S.Massey, S.Wiggins, R.Pinder, Subs: A.Yaxley, M.Milburn.

Shay on the ball attacking Lodsworth’s goal

This Sunday Shay Wiggins broke his ankle during a Chichester City Under 18 game against Eastbourne Town.

Shay only 17 has made quite an impression at Lavant FC in his first season at the club and his first season in men’s football.

In fact only this Saturday he was awarded the man of the match for Lavant Reserves game against Yapton Reserves. This injury is likely to put him out for the remaider of the season, which is bad news for Lavant. We all send him our kind regards and wish him a speed recovery.

Saturday’s Results

12th December

Division Four Cup:
Second round:
Plaistow 0, Fishbourne II 9.

Division 1:
Faygate Utd 4, Watersfield 4
Fishbourne 1, West Chiltington 3
Lavant 5, Wittering Utd 1;
Partridge Green 0, Henfield 2.

Division 4 South:
Coal Exchange 5, Milland 1
Yapton II 1, Lavant II 4.

As it is.

Mel Milburn’s first full report of Saturday’s Reserve game (slightly edited by the Director of Football).

Lavant Reserves 5 Coal Exchange 1

From the start of the game, with the crowd roaring “We are Lavant, say we are Lavant”, the yellow and blues played some good controlled football all over the pitch, pressing the opposition’s goal at every opportunity.

This was a game the homeside really wanted to win as they were up against ex Lavant popular stalwart Simon Blackman’s new team and they want desperately to make a good impression.

So with only three minutes gone Lavant were delighted to be one nil up thanks to Ryan Seacombe. A clever through ball from midfield saw Seacombe beat the offside trap to slide the ball home past the keeper, 1-0.

Lavant from the restart continued to play good link up football, passing with accuracy and menace and the rewards soon came as the impressive Dave Maclean picked up the ball on the left hand side, beat two players and smashed the ball home at the near post, 2-0.

Not bad from the man with no smile. Only eight minutes into the game and the Lavant boys were showing some great composure, not allowing the opposition any time on the ball to settle. From defence through to the strikers the passing game was on show in all its glory, as Seacombe received a pass on the edge of the box, held up the defender and then neatly laid off the ball into the path of the incoming Maclean running in on goal from the left, who shot first time smashing the ball home past the keeper, scoring his second of the match and giving Lavant a commanding lead so early in the game, all of which this time did bring a wry smile to Maclean’s face, 3-0.

The Coal Exchange still smarting from being three goals down so early on struggled to get a foothold as Lavant continued to press again in search of another goal.

With 30 minutes gone Sean Massey received the ball in midfield, played a one two with defender Martin Smith before picking out Dan Mortimer with a inch perfect through ball, who ran into the box before shooting across goal, where Seacombe quickest to react, beat off a challenge from the defender and neatly chipping the ball over the out-coming keeper and into the back of the net, 4-0.

Approaching half time the visitors were waning from the onslaught and desperate to get to the interval. But Lavant were still not finished as they added another to their tally as they scored what was most probably the best goal of the match, as Massey, Philips and Smith combined working the ball through the middle of the park before picking Shay Wiggins out on the flank, who’s inch perfect cross picked out the incoming Dan Mortimer, who headed home the fifth goal, 5-0.

The second half saw the Coal Exchange come out fighting determined to make amends for their poor first half performance and on 50 minutes they managed to pulled one goal back, after breaking clear of the defence to score past keeper Tom Turner, 5-1.

Lavant made wholesale changes bring on Eastwood, Clarke and Swain as the remaining forty minutes of the game were much more evenly contested. Adam Clarke should have made it six for the homeside as his he beat two players in the box, before shooting past the keeper, but the strength of his final shot was unfortunatley not sufficient to cross the line.

The final whistle saw Lavant bag all three league points to the delight of the mangement team of Massey and Milburn. The team had put in a solid all round performance in which all the players fought hard and played with a smile and in effect ensured the game was all over within the first 30 minutes.

Team: T. Turner, M.Smith, J.Strange, S.Gooding, D.Hall, J.Phillips, D.Maclean, S.Massey, S.Wiggins, R.Seacombe, D.Mortimer. Subs: C.Swain, S.Eastwood, A.Clarke.

Partridge Green 2 Lavant 1

Manager, David Parker’s, frustrations glided into another week of the season as he struggled again to assemble a team for what could easily be a relegation decider.

Lewis Partridge’s 25 min goal proved to be the homeside’s winner in this battle on a mud churned Ashurst pitch.

Lavant started brightly enough, dominating the first quarter hour. Matt Price’s persistence provided a delightful swivel and shot from Alan Sheppard, but the striker’s effort shaved the bar in the first minute.

Despite rehearsals on defending corners, Ben Gammon was allowed a free header on 20 minutes to put The Green ahead against the run of play.

The homeside grew in confidence whilst Lavant pathetically wilted. Then came Lewis Partridge’s lobbed cross which dipped under the bar with ‘keeper Bowles grasping thin air, to double the homeside’s lead.

Lavant’s Ross Lines forced a fine save from ‘keeper, Dave Angell, on the half-hour but otherwise the visitors were drear.

A rollicking at half-time brought Lavant out as a changed side and Kennard’s long throw, topped on by Sheppard, fell to Lines who coolly put the visitor’s back in contention on 50 minutes.

But try as they might, Lavant could not secure the equaliser. David Parker paid tribute to the homeside: “We were rubbish in the first half and much better in the second but Partridge Green stoutly defended their lead and deserved their win.”

Lavant: C.Bowles, N.Watts, M.Court, D.Kennard, C.Coe, M.Price, M.Neville, B.Evans, R.Lines, A.Sheppard, C.Withall. Subs: J.Walsh, L.Hayward.

Saturday’s Results

5th December

Division Four Cup: Second round:
Yapton II 1, West Chiltington II 2.

Bareham Trophy: Second round:
Selsey FC A 3, Newtown Villa III 0.

Division 1:
Henfield 2, Faygate Utd 4.
Partridge Green 2, Lavant 1.
Watersfield 1, Ashington Rovers 3.

Division 4 South:
Lavant II 5, Coal Exchange 1.

Bareham Trophy
Lavant Reserves 2 Regis Veterans 1

The first half was a relatively uneventful affair from an attempts on goal perspective as both teams battled it out mainly in the middle of the park, without really threatening each others goals.

Lavant found it hard to breakdown a well organised Veterans defence and the visitors found it equally hard to make their limited chances count, as perhaps their league results clearly indicated as to date they had played four games and only scored three goals.

Jon Strange in in on the tackle

The second half started in much the same vein and it looked like no one was going to break the deadlock. Lavant came close on 57 minutes when Shay Wiggins cross in front of goal sailed over the incoming Ryan Seacombe, leaving a gaping hole at the far right hand side as Shaun Massey slid in but failed by inch’s to connect with the ball and direct it into the empty net.

Three minutes later however, finally the deadlock was broken as Lavant failed to defend a Veterans corner, as their number 10 found himself completely unmarked in the box and headed home precisely into the top corner giving the stranded Lavant keeper Ton Turner no chance, 0-1.

This signalled game on, as Lavant now tried to up their game and get back into the cup tie and the visitors stoutly defended their lead.

Chris Coe racing to be first to the ball

Wiggins proving a real handful on the right wing, once more got the better of the left back, before neatly crossing the ball along the six yard line as two Lavant players raced in to score, but miscommunication between Seacombe and Massey ended up with both players getting in each others way, wasting a gilt edged chance and letting the visitors let of the hook.

With only five minutes remaining and the cup tie looking to be slipping away from the homeside, Lavant’s Guy Pinder’s midfield pass picked our Graeme Bell running in on the far left flank, who took one touch to control the ball before smashing it into top right hand corner of the goal, drawing the homeside level, 1-1.

The veterans still suffering from the shock of conceding a goal so late in the game, were caught napping straight from the restart as they lost possession in midfield and Massey picked out Seacombe who’s low shot went under the keeper and crept over the line, 1-2 to the delight of the homeside and watching supporters.

Lavant gave a sigh of relief, as they saw out the remaining minutes of the game and booked themselves a place into the next round of the Bareham Trophy, whilst the Veteran’s were left wondering how they lost the game at the death.

Team: T. Turner, C.Coe, J.Strange, N.Watts, M.Smith, S.Yaxley, G.Pinder, S.Massey, S.Wiggins, R.Seacombe, A.Yaxley. Subs: G.Bell, D.Maclean, J.Walsh.

Saturday’s Results

28th November

Centenary Cup: Third round:
Angmering 2, Ashington Rovers 1.

Bareham Trophy: First round:
Lavant II 2, Regis Veterans 1.

Division 1:
Wittering Utd 7, Watersfield 2.

Division 4 South:
Selsey FC A 5, Milland 4.

During Saturday’s game Tom Sheppard suffered a broken wrist after feeling the full force of Fishbourne stricker Hugh Howden fall on him.

Coach Mike Kent confidently diagnosed a simple sprained wrist and told him to get up and carry on. So after the game he just strapped up the wrist and proceeded to go out that evening and take part in the Lavant FC Annual Bowling event. After a terrible two rounds of ten-pin and subsequently finishing last in the event, Tom finally decided to go to the hospital, where it was in fact confirmed following an x-ray he had broken his wrist.

This injury is going to put Tom out of action for at least the next two month, which is bad news for Lavant.

We all send him our kind regards and wish him a speed recovery.