A weekend to forget for Lavant FC!

Lavant 0 West Chiltington 7

A still heavily depleted Lavant were outclassed by their Division One visitors who were everything the homeside were not.

West Chiltington were stronger, more competitive, passed the ball to feet and compact as a team both in attack and defence. Yet, Lavant started brightly enough and dominated the first quarter of an hour.

The visitors gradually eased into the game and went ahead from a poorly defended corner through Jack Halliday on 17 minutes.

At this stage the Chichester side were equal to the task but a ghastly goalkeeping error let striker, Craig Pulling increase the visitors lead on the half-hour.

The second half saw Lavant produce some good attacks but defensively they were more leaky than a colander and Pulling converted another corner on 48 minutes.

Miller hit a 4th on 57 minutes and Pulling got his hat-trick 16 minutes later. Lavant’s embarrassment was completed as Moss and Leppard added to the tally on 87 and 88 minutes.

Chiltington manager, Keith Tomsett, commented, ” We were poor in the first 15mins and I think our second goal, gifted to us, was the turning point of the game”.

Team: M.Pullen, G.Ockwell, S.Gooding, J.Strange , D.Hall, M.Neville, D.Payne, C.Swain, M.Price, A.Sheppard, J.Perry Subs: D.Knight, R.Secombe, L.Weller.

Hasting Rangers 6 Lavant Reserves 1
Sussex Junior Cup

This week Lavant Reserves found themselves catapulted into the Sussex Junior Cup following the surprise promotion of the first team to Division I and intermediate status.

This was going to be a David and Goliath encounter for the West Sussex Div IV team as they had to travel right across to the far reaches of Sussex to play East Sussex Div II side Hastings Rangers.

This was even more of a challenge for the West Sussex side as they could only field the bare eleven players due to player availabilities.

The game kicked off in high winds and over half an hour late due to a mix up with kick-off times and it was the visitor’s who opened the scoring, as a Dan Mortimer corner glided over the outstretched keeper and into the top corner of the goal, 0-1.

The homeside had to battle hard to get back into the game as Lavant resolutely defended their lead, but the senior side scored twice to take the advantage going into half time, 2-1.

The second half was very much one way traffic as Lavant were now playing against the wind and starting to tire as Hasting Rangers plied on the pressure, eventually reaping the rewards as they scored two goals in quick succession, effectively killing off the cup tie, 4-1.

Two more goals followed before the final whistle as the homeside resoundingly booked their place into the next round of the cup, 6-1.

Lavant’s stand-in manager Mel Milburn commented “I’m really proud of the lads, we could have call off this cup tie due to the lack of available players, but we still managed to field a side against Hastings. The odds were stacked against us right from kick off, but to all their credit they gave it their best shot and kept on fighting right to the final whistle, showing great team spirit”.

Team: S Eastwood, M.Smith, G.Pinder, D.Morris, A.Strange, D.Kent, R.Lines, P.Gongalves, C.Withall, D.Mortimer, M.Milburn. Subs: None.

October’s Fixtures

3rd October:
Lavant vs West Chiltington KO 3.00pm
Hasting Rangers vs Lavant Reserves KO 3.00pm ?

10th October:
Lavant – No Game
Lavant Reserves vs Lodsworth Reserves KO 3.00pm

17th October:
Lavant vs Cowfold in the Centenary Cup KO 2.00pm?
Lavant Reserves – No Game

24th October:
Faygate vs Lavant 2.00pm KO
Lavant Reserves vs Yapton Reserves 2.00pm KO

31st October:
Lavant vs Hunston 2.00pm KO
Lavant Reserves – No Game

Wittering United 1 Lavant 2

For the second week running, Lavant fielded a depleted team with 6 regulars absent. As defender, Ben Thomas commented ” It was important for us to bounce back from last week’s league defeat and take 3 points.”

Wittering had other ideas and despite the visitors’ early possession, they defended resolutely. Ockwell hit the bar and Sheppard the post for Lavant but at half-time the score was 0-0.

Whilst United had produced only a 30yd shot and a great save from Martin Pullen when Lee Baxley broke through after defender, Ben Thomas, slipped, miraculously the homeside went ahead. Jay Baxley blasted home from 2 yds in a goalmouth scramble after a corner on 63minutes.

But 3 minutes later, Lavant were level when Thomas headed home from a Mike Neville corner. Eventually, Lavant were rewarded for their patience and possession when striker, Alan Sheppard, fired the winner into the roof of the net from another corner kick. The visitors then shut up shop to see out the last quarter of an hour to take those valuable points.

Team: M.Pullen, G.Ockwell, B.Thomas, D.Kennard, D.Hall, D.Payne, M.Neville, B.Evans, J.Perry; A.Sheppard, D.Knight. Subs: J.Strange, O.Haggar.

Milland 2 Lavant Reserves 3

With the manager away on vacation, it was up to assistant manager Mel Milburn to step up to the block and with a number of regular players missing from the starting line-up it made his challenge even greater that of securing Lavant Reserves their first win of the season.

Mel’s men however raised to the challenge and put the homeside on the back foot right from kick-off and with just minutes gone on the clock, Lavant debutant Ryan Seacombe almost opened the scoring, but his volleyed shot went agonisingly just inch over the bar.

With 10 minutes gone the visitors however did take the lead after a good build-up involving Seacombe once more and Scott Yaxley, with the back in form Lavant striker Adam Yaxley applying the finishing touch scoring with a left foot volley, 0-1.

Minutes from the restart Milland were level as they won possession in midfield and scored from the second attempt on goal, as Lavant keeper Paul Czajka could only parry the first shot into the path of the homeside striker who scored from close range, 1-1.

The latter period of the first half had a deja vu feeling about it, as on 20 minutes Lavant capitalised on the award of a free kick as the homeside keeper was adjudged to have picked up a back pass. The indirect spot kick was rolled on by Yaxley into the path of the incoming Seacombe who smashed the ball home from just inside the box, 1-2.

Then two minutes later Milland once again drew level following a goal mouth scramble which saw the ball deflecting off Lavant defender Robbie Pinder past the stranded keeper, 2-2.

The second half saw Lavant again start lively and on 50 minutes striker Yaxley was felled in the box by the homeside’s full back. Adam Yaxley brushed himself off and then stepped up to coolly convert the penalty to give the visitor’s the lead once more, 3-2.

This time the visitors learnt from their earlier mistakes as they reorganised the defence and managed to keep Milland at bay for the remainder of the game, much to the annoyance of the homeside. Milland’s frustrations over spilled and referee Luke Ireland-Hill had no choice but to send off one of the homeside’s players. Lavant saw out the remainder of the match to record their first victory of the season.

Team: Paul Czajka, C.Coe, D.Mortimer, R.Pinder, M.Smith, C.Swain, A.Waters, D.Kent, S.Yaxley, R.Seacombe, A.Yaxley. Subs: G.Pinder, M.Milburn, S.Eastwood.

Saturday’s Results

26th September

Division 1:
Angmering 2, West Chiltington 1
Ashington Rovers 0, Watersfield 1
Wittering Utd 1, Lavant 2

Division IV South:
Coal Exchange 0, Fishbourne Reserves 9
Milland 2, Lavant Reserves 3

Bareham Trophy:
Fittleworth 2nd 0, Graffham 5
Rogate 08 3, Lodsworth 2nd 1
Selsey FC A 5, Whyke Utd 1
Stedham Utd 2nd 1, Yapton 2nd 3
Tangmere 2, Rustington Park Seniors 4
The Ship 2, Petworth 2nd 0
Vapours FC 4, Chapel 2

Lavant 1 Watersfield 5

With eight players unavailable, Lavant faced their second league game in Division One and started slowly. Watersfield were strong, first to the ball and livelier up front.It was no surprise then that when Matt Hine brought down Ashley Clark in the box, Carl Sutton put the visitors ahead from the spot kick on 13 minutes.

Urged on from the touchline, the homeside competed harder for the ball and retained it once it was won. They edged into control of the game and were rewarded when Jo Perry put Danny Baker through for the striker to score a stunning equaliser on 27 minutes.

Lavant started brightest in the second half and looked the more likely to score. Then came lesson number one in this new Division. Shawn Gooding momentarily lost concentration and let Tom Crimp in for a soft goal on 49 minutes. Then the team switched off and conceded a third goal a minute later as Sutton had only the ‘keeper to beat.Lavant effectively lost the game in 60 seconds of sleep.The Chichester side were now chasing the game and when ‘keeper Bowles parried Crimp’s shot, Sutton pounced on the rebound for his hat-trick on 64 mins. A change in formation and 2 substitutions made Lavant an attacking threat again but Sutton caught them stretched once more 3 mins from the end.

Coach, David Parker admitted, ” Watersfield deserved their win but the turning point was when we lost concentration. You can’t switch off for a moment in this division or you get punished.We got punished !”

Team: C.Bowles, C.Coe, S.Gooding, M.Hine, D.Hall, J.Perry, B.Evans, T.Parker, M.Neville, T.Sheppard, D.Baker.Subs: L.Hayward, D.Payne, B.Thomas

Training Transfers to the College

Don’t forget that from tonight Training is every Wednesday night at Chichester College on the All Weather Pitch, starting dead on 6.30pm until 8.00pm every week through to the end of March 10. Training is £2 per session.

Worthing BCOB 1 Lavant 2
(After extra time) Centenary Cup

An under par Lavant made hard work of this cup tie against a spirited opposition. Worthing started brightly but gradually Lavant dominated in a 25 min spell where they created so many chances they should have buried the game. Price, Parker, Sheppard twice and Evans all had gilt-edged opportunities which were spurned.

The visitors would rue squandering these chances, especially when Martin Stanbridge broke free for the homeside to roll the ball past ‘keeper, Chris Bowles, and put Worthing ahead against the run of play on 27 minutes. The goal lifted the seasiders and they held this lead until half-time.

Worthing’s high work rate and strong tackling continued in the second period forcing the Lavant Coach, David parker, to change the visitor’s formation. Within a minute of doing so the Chichester side were level on 63 minutes when Matt Price hammered home a viscous volley from striker, Alan Sheppard’s flick on.

Lavant were so often drawn into the frenzy set by Worthing and it was only in the few spells that they slowed play down and passed the ball that they looked like breaking the deadlock. But this did not happen and the game went into extra time.

Ross Lines was brought on up front and scored the winner in the first minute of extra time after a delightful Lavant move. With Parker and Neville in the centre of the park, the visitors did settle to controlled football, dominating the extra period and the final result then never looked in doubt. However, missing those early chances meant they had to grind this one out.

Team: C.Bowles, D.Hall, B.Thomas, M.Hine, G.Ockwell, M.Price, B.Evans, D.Payne, M.Neville, A.Sheppard, T.Parker. Subs: R.Lines, S.Gooding. Linesman D.Morris.

Lavant Reserves 3 Fishbourne Reserves 3

The first quarter of the game saw Fishbourne have the better of the opening exchanges, with Lavant keeper Tom Turner having to pull off a number of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Lavant however grew in confidence as the match progressed and they snatched the lead on the half hour as they caught the visitors napping on the counterattack Christian Swain broke free on the right flank, crossing the ball into the box for Dan Baker to head home the opener, 1-0.

The remaining quarter of the first half was evenly contested, but right on half time Fishbourne scored a very controversial goal. It initially appeared referee Simon Kimber had awarded a free-kick to Lavant for a foul on Stuart Eastwood. In fact Fishbourne were actually awarded the foul and took the free-kick quickly and as the referee waved play on they ran through on goal in mass completely unopposed as Lavant were still preparing to take the kick. Lavant’s furious protests were to no avail as the goal stood and so the score was level at half time with one a piece, 1-1.

Both teams started lively in the second half. Turner once more denying the visitors by pulling off another fine save. As the game progressed Fishbourne were beginning to tire due to the continued pace of the game and as Lavant pressed forward once more Dan Baker was cut down just inside the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Minutes seemed to pass as the referee and linesman then were involved in a heated debate over whether the tackle was inside the area. Finally the referee decided his decision would stand. Adam Yaxley’s penalty was then palmed against the cross bar by the Fishbourne keeper, but Yaxley was quickest to react and drill the rebound home from close rang, 2-1.

Three minutes later Fishbourne were again level as they caught the home side napping once more, taking another quick free-kick which was lofted into the box before bouncing over the out-coming Turner allowing Dave Barnes to cross into the box for Rhys Watling to score the simplest of headers, 2-2.

Lavant again pushed forward in order to regain the lead. Firstly Joe Perry’s 25 yard drive went agonisingly only inch’s wide of the post, then on 70 minutes Shaun Massey latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box to drill home his first goal for Lavant since signing in the summer, 3-2.

Both teams battled out the remaining 20 minutes of the game. Baker almost extended Lavant’s lead further, as he went a darting run in the box, but his shot was superbly saved by the keeper. Fishbourne to their credit never gave up and with ten minutes remaining they once more levelled the game with Barnes scoring a diving header, 3-3.

Three minutes later Lavant had the ball in the back of the net once more as Perry’s cross was drilled home by Yaxley, but he was adjudged to be just offside.

Lavant in the end had to settle for a draw, which overall was a fair result on the day, but manager Cliff Massey was still very pleased with his teams battling performance.

Team: Tom Turner, C.Coe, D.Mortimer, S.Eastwood, J.Strange, C.Swain, J.Perry, S.Massey, PCzajka, D.Baker, A.Yaxley. Subs: G.Pinder, A.Strange, M.Milburn.

Saturday’s Results

12th September

Centenary Cup (First round):
Ashington Rovers 5 East Dean 4
Billingshurst 10, Milland 1
Fernhurst 2, Harting 0
Hunston CC 2, Watersfield 1
Newtown Villa 7, Highdown Hornets 0
Regis Veterans 2, Ockley 3
Rogate 08 0, West Chiltington 6
Rustington Park Snrs 3, Henfield 0
Wittering Utd 5, Slinfold 4
Worthing BCOB 1, Lavant 2.

Division I
Angmering 2, Partridge Green 1
Fishbourne 4, Faygate Utd 0.

Division IV South
Ambassadors 0, Selsey FC A 6
Lavant Reseves 3, Fishbourne Reserves 3
Tangmere 8, Lodsworth 1.

Jason on the ball in last season’s game at home to Fishbourne

During Saturday’s game Jason Houghton after only being on the pitch for a few minutes sustained a bad injury and had to be carried off, after a tackle with Partridge Green player. Doctor Matt Price (who incidentally replaced Jason) supsected ligament damage and a badly sprained ankle. This was later confirmed in hospital.

Since then Jason has been home recouperating with the help of his lovely girlfriend Sam, but still complaining of pains in his leg. After further persistence the hospital re-examined the x-rays and whilst he was out on his bike he had a call to confirm infact he had actually broken his fibula.
Since then his leg has been put in plaster up to his knee.

With this type of injury Jason is likely to be out for quite a few weeks and will therefore miss at least the first half of this season. This is a great loss to Lavant and espeically the first team, as he had established himself as one of our key players after only one season with the club.

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

Peter Winter a member of the Lavant Bowls Club has written to the football club regarding new members for their club.

His letter reads as follows:

As you know the Short Mat Bowls Club is a flourishing Club but as with all things we are looking out for some new members to strengthen the Club, particularly in the younger age range. We would like to invite any of your members who are intersted in trying out the game to come along to the Lavant Hall on Wednesday 23rd September from 7pm when there will be an opportunity to see the game, talk to us and to try it out. We are a competitive Club playing in various leagues and competitions around the County and there are plenty of opportunities at a variety of levels.

Whilst we are particularly interested in people nearing the end of playing careers in more active sports, the game also appaels to both sexes and to all ages.

We look forward to seeing some of your memebers or friends on the 23rd Sepember.

Yours Sincerely

Peter Winter

Lavant 3 Partridge Green 1

Lavant celebrated their return to Division One with a well earned win at Raughmere Park. But it needed every grain of character and self-belief as they went 0-1 down within a minute. Daniel Smith’s long throw was headed home at the near post by Ben Garmen as Partridge Green caught the homeside with an early sucker punch.

Lavant settled to good passing football and engineered five good chances. They then ran out of patience and reverted to long ball which played into the visitors hands. Instructions from the bench recalled them to patient football which was rewarded by 2 goals in 3 minutes. Alan Sheppard fired home the equaliser on 18 minutes and a training ground corner-kick by Matt Hine was headed home by central midfielder, Dave Kennard on 21 mins. In the dying minutes of the half, striker, David Knight set 16 year old Shay Wiggins up for a stinging volley, which was brilliantly saved by ‘keeper, David Angell.

Lavant defended too deeply in the early part of the second half. The homeside central midfield were losing the battle to Partridge Green’s Dan Maneley and Mark Harrison. But the Chichester side rectified this as fresh legs from substitutes, Ben Evans and Jason Houghton restored Lavant’s midfield advantage. As a result, Sheppard calmly hit his second goal and put the game beyond the visitors’ reach, converting a Dave Knight through ball on 65 minutes.

Coach, David Parker commented ” I have great admiration for the boys coming back from an early set-back, and whilst it’s good to have a win in the bag, it’s going to be a steep learning curve to adapt to this new Division”. Lavant visit Worthing next Saturday in the Cup.

Team: M.Pullen, D.Hall, B.Thomas, M.Hine, G.Ockwell, S.Wiggins, T.Parker, D.Kennard, M.Neville, A.Speppard, D.Knight. Subs: B.Evans, J.Houghton, M.Price. Linesman D.Morris.

Frustrating start to the season for Massey & Milburn

Lavant Reserves 4 Highdown Hornets 5

Cliff Massey and Mel Milburn had a frustrating start to the season as the newly appointed management team had to watch as their team squandered a commanding three nil lead and eventually end up losing the match in the final minutes of the game.

With only a couple of friendlies under their there belt, the new look Lavant side struggled to get going in the early stages of the match. With a mixture of old and new players it was evident that it will take time to bed in the new team.

However on the half hour the football finally started to flow, as Christian Swain was quick to follow up a loose ball on the edge of the box, driving the ball home 1-0. Ten minutes Dan Baker opened his account for the season putting Lavant further ahead, 2-0. Then three minutes after the re-start Baker added another, further increasing Lavant’s lead, as they settled and started playing some good possession football and looked to be well in control of the game with only 10 minutes remaining until half time, 3-0.

The Hornet’s with only the bare 11 player’s, to their credit never gave up and has different ideas as they were suddenly revitalised with hope as they shocked the home side 5 minutes later by reducing the deficit as their nippy forward ran through to score, 3-1. Then came the sucker punch as the visitors found themselves right back in contention in the game, as they scored an almost identical goal right on half time, 3-2.

The second half saw the Hornet’s go all out to draw level, as Lavant tended to sit back and defend their lead, so it was slightly against the run of play when the home side capitalized on the counter attack as Baker claimed his hat trick as his shot ricocheted off the cross bar hitting the keeper and deflecting across the line, giving Lavant a two goal lead with only 25 minutes remaining, 4-2.

Again the Hornet’s rallied, battling on and ten minutes later once more they managed to reduce the deficit, 4-3. Lavant were now looking nervous and after failing to clear the ball were caught in possession in the box as the visitors punished the error and scored drawing level, 4-4.

As per the first half the Hornet’s continued to play right to the whistle and sensing the chance of a victory they pressed for the winner and with 3 minutes remaining they once more capitalized on a defensive error as their forward won possession on the edge of the box, running through and pulling back to ball into the path of their midfielder who slotting the ball home for what turned out to be the winning goal, 4-5, plundering all three points from the home side.

Team: Paul.Czajka, C.Coe, T.Sheppard, S.Eastwood, M.Smith, C.Swain, D.Payne, J.Walsh, S.Massey, D.Baker, A.Yaxley. Subs: A.Waters, J.Strange, Pete Czajka.

Saturday’s Results

5th September

Division 1
Faygate Utd 1-5 Ashington Rovers
Henfield 1-3 Fishbourne
Hunston CC 2-3 Angmering
Lavant 3-1 Partridge Green
Wittering Utd 2-4 West Chiltington

Division IV South
Ambassadors 2-2 Milland
Fishbourne Reserves 3-1 Yapton Reserves
Lavant Reserves 4-5 Highdown Hornets
Selsey FC ‘A’ 8-1 Tangmere

To see all of yesterdays results simply go to the Fixtures and Results page and click on the link to West Sussex Football League in the 4th paragraph of the main text. Also with this is a link to Yellow Jersey,co.uk which will have all the results of the Lavant Sunday team.

Rumour is that starting this season the fine for a booking is increasing from £8 to £15. This will also mean that the fines for a sending-off and collecting 5 bookings are likely to also increase ££££.

Last season all three teams paid out a total of £457 in fines. Which was up £171 in fines from the previous season.
We all need to try and ensure the trend deceases this season especially as it is really going to hit the pockets of the players that are booked or sent-off.

So here are a few simple tips to ensure you have minimal damage limitation during a match with the Referee:
1. Get the Referee on your side before the match. Chat to the Ref and get a rapport going. Surprizing how well this can work in yours and the teams favour during the game.
2. Listen to what the Referee has to say before Kick-off. His talk to you may indicate the areas where he will not tollerate any mis-conduct. For example swearing, dissent, two footed tackling etc. Abide by these requests.
3. During the game DO NOT argue with the Referee. By all means have a positive discussion, but do not take it to far and argue. He may book you for dissent there and then or it may go against you later on in the game when another incident arises.
4. Play the game fairly. Tackle playing the ball first, no two footed tackles
off the ground, keep your arms down in the box, etc.
5. If none of the above works. Firstly say SORRY.
Then try kneeling on the ground and begging for leniency and forgiveness.
If this fails then perhaps try faking an injury, time is running out.
6. If you get to stage six, accept what is coming. A hefty fine.
7. The following week pay the Treasurer your fine in full.

On the 5th September the 2009-10 Season kicks off.
This is our 99th Season.

With a major reorganisation of the league the first team are facing a new challenge this season as they have been promoted to Division I of the West Sussex League, whilst the Reserves a new the new mangement team of Cliff Massey and Mel Milburn escaped relegation last season and remain in Divsion IV South.

Division I has 11 teams in the league made up of Angmering, Ashington Rovers, Faygate Utd, Fishbourne, Henfield, Hunston CC (ex Selsey Town), Lavant, Partridge Green, Watersfield, West Chiltington and Wittering Utd.

Division IV South has 10 teams in the league made up of Ambassadors, Coal Exchange, Fishbourne Reserves, Highdown Hornets, Lavant Reserves, Lodsworth Reserves, Milland, Selsey A, Tangmere and Yapton Reserves.

September Fixtures:

5th September:
Lavant vs Partridge Green (League) 2.00pm KO
Lavant Reserves vs Highdown Hornets (League) 4.30pm KO

12th September:
Worthing BCOB vs Lavant (Centenary Cup) 3.00pm KO
Lavant Reserves vs Fishborne Reserves (League) 3.00 KO

19th September:
Lavant vs Watersfield (League) 3.00pm KO
Lavant Reserves – No Game

26th September:
Wittering Utd vs Lavant
Milland vs Lavant Reserves

Thursday 9th July saw the start of the pre-season training programme on the village green.

We had a really good turn-out, as 33 players enjoying their first session with fitness trainers Mike Kent and Scott Carter.

Dave Parker, first team manager and our newly appointed reserve team manager Cliff Massey were also present to follow up the fitness with some football coaching.

It was great to see around 10 new players at this first training session and with a number of existing players missing from the first session it looks like Dave’s and Cliff’s task of selecting Lavant’s starting teams, is going to be a real challange this season.

The new season gives each player an equal opportunity to challange for a place in either the first and reserve starting squads and these teams will be picked based critera agreed by the management team.

Player selection for both teams will be based on the following 3 Criteria.

1.Commitment:

Commitment to the Club.
Wanting to play and be successful with Lavant.
Being available for each game and doing your best for the team and club.

Commitment to Individual’s performance.
Working hard and listening, in order to improve in all areas of play, skills, fitness, talking ,etc.

Commitment to the Management team.
If you are unable to make training text the Manager.
If you are not available for a game, text the Manager well in advance.
After training, if selected for a team respond to the text straight away.
Pay your subs on time.
Please.

2. Performance:

Indivdual’s performance at Training.
Individual’s performance on Match days.

3. Balance:

Getting the right Balance of the team from the players available for selection each week.

Selection Process:

The process follows that the first team squad is selected on the above criteria first by both the first and reserve team managers.
Following this the reserve team is selected.

Those who are in the first team (playing or sub) but not selected for the first team the following week will be automatically selected to play for the Reserve team.

The aim is that if you meet the above 3 criteria and you are playing well the result is that you will end up playing for the first team squad.

A stronger first team will also result in a stronger reserve team.

With only 28 players places available on a Saturday it is likely not everyone who trains and are signed on with the club will be selected.
So if your one of these;
Don’t give up, keep working to meet the criteria and train each week.

Also TALK to the management team and they will discuss the your situation and do everything that they can do to help you step up and ensure you earn a regular place in either squad.

Finally please spare a thought for the selectors each week as it is not an easy thing to do especially if everyone is available.