Lavant 4 Faygate 3

Having beaten teams in the lower third of the table, this was an important test for Lavant as they hosted a side ahead of them in the mid-table group of teams.

Ash Rochester clearing the ball
Photograph by Chris Pinchbeck

After dominating the opening ten minutes, the Chichester side went 1-0 down against the run of play. Jon Wright was adjudged to have fouled Faygate’s Dan Hills on the edge of the box and Paul Jones headed home the ensuing free-kick.  Ryan Seacombe was denied twice by great saves from Faygate’s ‘keeper, Stuart Bregan in the 2nd and 19th minutes before Darren Cox rattled the visitor’s post on 35 minutes and Seacombe hit the crossbar a minute later.

Dan Cowell breaking clear down the wing
Photograph by Chris Pinchbeck

After the restart, the home crowd started to think it was going to be one of those days as now David Knight hit the woodwork on 55 minutes. But finally the breakthrough came when Pete Cairns toe-ended Cox’s free-kick home to equalise just before the hour. Then the pendulum swung back within seconds as a route one punt let Jones in to restore the Crawley side’s lead.  But 5 minutes later, Seacombe again put Lavant level 2-2. For the first time the homeside then went ahead with Darren Cox directing Cairns long throw into the net on 72minutes.

Pete Cairns clearing the ball
Photograph by Chris Pinchbeck

By now those of a nervous disposition were feeling the pressure, especially when a mix up between Tom Parker and ‘keeper Ashley Rochester let Andy Brimelaw in and the rebound off him limped into the net; 3-3.  With only 10 minutes remaining, Lavant still applied the pressure and when Cowell was bowled over in the box; Cox won the game for Lavant from the spot-kick with 5 minutes s left.

Darren Cox takening the winning penalty kick
Photograph by Chris Pinchbeck

Manager David Parker commented “I nearly had a heart-attack, but we deserved the win. We had to beat both Faygate and Lady Luck today to do it.”

Lavant: A.Rochester, C.Coe, T.Parker, J.Wright, P.Cairns, D.Knight, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: D.Kennard, S.Eastwood.

Selsey A 6 Lavant Reserves 0

This week league leaders Lavant Reserves were up against the strongest challengers for the league title in Selsey A.

Having been knocked out of a cup competition and beaten in the league recently by Selsey, revenge was clearly on the minds of the players as their determination was evident in the way they started the game as the visitors dominated the opening quarter of the match.

Selsey however stood strong and repelled any early pressure and once the initial onslaught was over they showed their true class as they started to take control of the match pushing forward and exposing any gaps in Lavant’s makeshift rearguard.

With 20 minutes gone of this high octane game Selsey won a free kick 10 yards in from the corner flag. The ball was then floated into the box as the homeside executed a well worked set piece routine to a tee, as Lavant suddenly found themselves 1-0 down.  Straight from the restart a well worked move found Lavant striker Rhys Watling on the edge of the box with a great opportunity to draw level but his shot went agonisingly wide.

Selsey once more seized the initiative as a long punt up front eventually found their striker after a neat flick on clear through and as the keeper rushed out he coolly knocked the ball into the empty goal, 2-0.

Then with only minutes to go before halftime Selsey struck once more giving them a commanding 3-0 lead going into the break.  Encouraging words were ringing in the ears of the Lavant players when they took the field for the second half as they once more started well from the kick-off and they could have easily pulled a goal back, but a fine save from the Selsey keeper once more denied Lavant a goal.

Selsey were deadly on the counterattack and all Lavant’s hard work was then undone as they added a fourth goal as their striker turned and shot on the edge of the box beating the stranded keeper, 4-0. Lavant were still not willing to concede the game as they again pressed forward and forged two to three good chances to get back into the match, but poor finishing seemed to be the order of the day.

In the remaining 10 minutes Selsey added goals 5 and 6 to round off a comprehensive victory and ensure the visitors suffered a bad day at the office, as tired legs at the back made easy pickings for the homeside strike force, 6-0.

Selsey were a very well organised side and on this performance it is likely Lavant were beaten by the future winners of the Division 3 league, but with better finishing the visitors could at least have made the final result a more respectable scoreline.

Lavant: T.Turner, S.Green, M.Ayers, R.Pinder, D.Maclean, S.Wiggins, M.Hine, S.Massey, L.Cook-Jones, R.Watling, S.Cole.  Subs: M.Milburn.

Lavant Sunday’s team are celebrating winning Division 2 of the Chichester and West Sussex Sunday League with two games to spare.

On top of this they are also in the final of the Shuker Memorial Cup against Chichester University on Thursday the 21st April at Arundel Football Club.  Kick Off at 7.30pm.

So we want everyone from the club and village to turn out that night and support manager Stuart Eastwood and his team.

This is the football clubs first trophy and hopefully soon to be second trophy to be displayed in the village hall trophy cabinet for 6 seasons, when in fact the Lavant Sunday’s team won the Shuker Memorial Cup in the 2004/2005 Season.

The Saturday teams barren patch has been even longer having not won silverware since the 1997/1998 season when they won the West Sussex Division 3 League.

Perhaps our forthcoming one hundredth and one season will be the season we change that.  Below are the list of the honours won by the Lavant Sunday’s team since the league was established in 1967.

Chichester and West Sussex Sunday League Honours:

League:
1988/1989 Season Division 4 Winners
1994/1995 Season Division 2 Winners (Earnest Middleton Linkins Cup) 2001/2002 Season Division 1 Winners (P.C Miles Challenge Trophy & Councillor A Butler Shield)
2010/2011 Season Division 2 Winners (Earnest Middleton Linkins Cup)

Cups:
1993/1994 Season Sussex Sunday Junior Cup Winners
1993/1994 Season Shuker Memorial Cup Winners
1995/1996 Season Chichester Charity Cup Winners
1995/1996 Season Southdown Rosebowl Winners
2001/2002 Season Southdown Rosebowl Winners
2001/2002 Season Invitation Cup Winners
2002/2003 Season Southdown Rosebowl Winners
2004/2005 Season Shuker Memorial Cup Winners

Other Awards:
1976/1977 Sporting Club of the Year Award
League Player of the Year Award:
2000/2001 Duncan Terry
2003/2004 Greg Robinson
Secretary of the year Award:
1991/1992 M.Smart
2004/2005 Steve Massey

This week is our last session on the All Weather pitch at Chichester College and it would be great if we can get more players training than last week where we had 15.

As we stated the last couple of weeks:  At the current level of football all our teams are now competing, players really need to maintain match fitness.

We accept a number of you can not make training due to other commitments and we also know a number of you do your own sessions in the gym each week.  This however does not replace training on a football pitch, with a ball, keeping fit and also working and training together as a squad of players.

If we do not have sufficient support from the players for training in particular over the winter months then next season due to the cost of hiring the all weather pitch we may have to seriously consider cancelling the winter training sessions.

This would be such a shame for the football club. Please note that next week, Wednesday the 30th March training reverts back to Lavant Village Green.

Sundays Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2
The Railway 1, Southbourne Sports 4
Wheatsheaf Reserves 1, Aldingbourne 2
University of Chichester 3, Queens Park South 0

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B
Lavant Youth 2, Predators Youth 1
Rustington Otters Youth 7, Southwater U18 5
Worthing United Youth 1 Broadbridge Heath U18 0

Saturdays Results

West Sussex League
Division 1
Capel 0, Lavant 7
Faygate Utd 2, Petworth 1

Division 2
Harting 1, -3   Predators 3
Lavant Reserves 8, Square Deal 1
The Sportsman 2, Selsey FC ‘A’ 3

Capel 0 Lavant 7

Lavant climbed into mid-table with their fifth league win in seven games.

The visitors started well pinning Capel in their own defending third for long periods after Darren Cox had given them the lead on 2 minutes.

But on a tricky and bobbly pitch, the homeside crept back into the game and were still in the match at half-time, trailing only 1-0.

With their management team rectifying the visitors’ problem, Lavant emerged in the second period tactically improved and were soon 2-0 up when Ryan Seacombe beat off two opponents in the 55th minute.

This opened the floodgates with Sid Green (69min); James Brooks (70min); Seacombe again (73min) giving the Chichester side a 5-0 lead.

The most spectacular goal fell to fullback Neale Watts whose overhead scissors kick added a sixth on 81 minutes. Brooks completed the rout tapping home a rebound from Seacombe’s effort just before full-time.

Lavant: A.Rochester, S.Green, C.Coe, T.Parker, D.Cowell, L.Weller, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, S.Loversidge, R.Seacombe, D.Cox.  Subs: N.Watts, P.Cairns, S.Eastwood.

Lavant Reserves 8 Square Deal 1

This season we are combining the end of Season Presentation Night with a special Centenary Party to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Village Football Club.

As a result for this season we are moving from our usual end of season venue the Earl of March and have booked the Lavant Village Hall in order to accommodate the expected additional numbers.

The event will be held on the 21st May and we there will be a bar (very good drink’s prices) and buffet meal, plus some music for later in the evening once the awards have been presented.

It should be a great evening. Now, due to the fact we have four teams at the presentation night plus our guests, number will be limited to around 150 maximum.

The price per ticket will be £5 each and you will be able to book two tickets per player as we would also love to see you wife’s, girlfriends or friends etc, who put up with you having every Saturday afternoon off to play football, celebrate this landmark season with us.

The managers will be collecting money as of this Saturday so in order to ensure you don’t miss out on a ticket please pay your £5 or £10 as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Last Wednesday unfortunately we had an all time low turn out for training.  Just 7 players. Thanks to John Wright, Matt Stevens, Sid Green, Stuart Loversidge, Shaun Massey, Joe Green and Blair who made the effort to attend training.

We understand that Spurs were playing in a very crucial Champions League game that evening and a number of you had told us you were either going to the game itself or watching it on TV.

But this only equates a very few of the players in the club who support Spurs, so not sure why the turn-out was so low.  Perhaps everyone watched the game in the hope they went out?  Anyway the kick-off was not until 8pm and so everyone had time to train and get home to watch the majority of the game which actually turned out to be a very tense 0-0 draw.

We therefore did not have enough players to take the training session and so ended up having a kick about with some of the lads who were using the All Weather Pitch before us. Each season we have to book the facility in advance in the summer and so still have two more sessions on the All Weather Pitch remaining this season.

Each session costs £39 so if you don’t turn out and use it then this is just money down the drain for the club.  Ultimately it’s your money.  As we stated last week: At the current level of football all our teams are now competing, players really need to maintain match fitness.

We accept a number of you can not make training due to other commitments and we also know a number of you do your own sessions in the gym each week.  This however does not replace training on a football pitch, with a ball, keeping fit and also working and training together as a squad of players.

If we do not have sufficient support from the players for training in particular over the winter months then next season due to the cost of hiring the all weather pitch we may have to seriously consider cancelling the winter training sessions.

This would be such a shame for the football club. Finally please note that on Wednesday the 30th March training reverts back to Lavant Village Green.

Sundays Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2
Southbourne Sports 2 , Aldingbourne 0
Lavant 3, Six Villages Utd 1
University of Chichester vs The Railway Cancelled

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B
Broadbridge Health 2, Lavant Youth 1
Worthing Rebels Youth 3, Rustington Otters U18 1
Worthing United Youth 3, Worthing Minors Athletic U18 0

Saturdays Results

West Sussex League
Division 1
Hunston CC 2, Barnham Reserves 1
Lavant 0, Holbrook FC 3
Stedham Utd 5, Ashington Rovers 0
Watersfield 2, Petworth 0

Division 3 South
Selsey FC ‘A’ v Square Deal FC
Tangmere 2, The Sportsman 0
The Ship 0, Angmering Reserve 3

March Lavant 0  Holbrook 3

Kieran Greig’s two goals in the first 9 minutes won this game for Holbrook.

The Horsham side had twice scored six against Lavant in a cup and league game earlier in the season. Early loose marking cost the homeside this latest meeting.

After that Lavant settled and held their own in what developed into a close contest with the homeside having the better of the play in the last 20 minutes of the first half.

In the second period the Chichester side had 65% of the possession but despite pressing could not engineer enough clean chances or take the few clear ones to break into the game.

Holbrook increased their lead when Dan Nason stabbed home a yard out after a goalmouth scramble consequent to a Holbrook corner on the hour. Paul White was sensational for the Horsham team in midfield and Holbrook ‘keeper, Andy Bopst, bravely saved at the feet of Lavant striker, Ryan Seacombe to deny the visitors a consolation goal.

Lavant’s Manager praised the visitors, “This team are an excellent passing and attacking team with great movement off the ball. We need to emulate this. We are defending solidly now but are too static in attack. We’ll put that right as our next step forward”.

Lavant: A.Rochester, S.Green, C.Coe, J.Wright, D.Cowell, L.Weller, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, S.Loversidge, R.Seacombe, D.Cox.  Subs: N.Watts, P.Cairns.

Over the last couple of weeks numbers attending training have again begun to decrease and we only had 13 turn up for last weeks session.

At the current level of football all our teams are now competing, players really need to maintain match fitness. We accept a number of you can not make training due to other commitments and we also know a number of you do your own sessions in the gym each week.

This however does not replace training on a football pitch, with a ball, keeping fit and also working and training together as a squad of players. We have booked the All Weather pitch up to the 23rd March after which on the 30th March training reverts back to Lavant village green.

So please make use of the facility and attend training. If we do not have sufficient support for training in particular over the winter months then next season due to the cost of hiring the all weather pitch we may have to seriously consider cancelling the winter training sessions.

This would be such a shame for the football club.

Sundays Results

Division 2:
Queen’s Park South 2, Southbourne 3
University of Chichester 7, Aldingbourne 0.

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B:
Lavant 3, Worthing Rebels Yth 0
Worthing Minors Ath 8, Rustington Otters Yth 3
Worthing Utd Yth 1, Southwater FC 0.

Saturdays Results

Division 1:
Capel 1, Hunston CC 3
Faygate Utd 1, Holbrook FC 1
Petworth 1, Lavant 2.

Division 3 South:
Square Deal FC 4, The Sportsman 4
Tangmere 1, Lavant Reserves 3.

Petworth 1 Lavant 2

After last week’s disappointment, Lavant returned to winning ways with a restoration of the disciplined system of play that has recently stood them in good stead.

Petworth applied most of the early pressure with John Parford and Rob Levett being the main architects. But, ten minutes in the Chichester side crept gradually into the game and produced several chances before going ahead through Darren Cox on 19 minutes converting a sweet Cowell-Brooks-Knight build up.

Darren Cox battling to win the ball
Photograph by Chichester Observer

Cox came close to doubling the lead 2 minutes later before Lavant ‘keeper, Ash Rochester, saved brilliantly at the feet of Levett, 6 minutes from half-time to retain their narrow lead.

At the restart, the homeside again took the game to Lavant in an endeavour to level the score and when Levett was brought down in the “D”, the visitors’ wall did its job blocking the Petworth striker’s free kick.

Lavant were counter-attacking with delightful football and Ryan Seacombe came close again on 61 minutes and Cowell hit the bar 8 minutes later.

Ryan Seacombe sliding in for the tackling

Eventually, the Chichester side went further ahead when Seacombe converted from the penalty spot after he was upended in the box in the 70th minute.  Levett again gained a free-kick just outside the box 4 minutes later.

The Lavant wall again did its job but Dan Warren stabbed the ball home from 2 yards from the resulting hectic series of rebounds in the goalmouth.   Petworth’ keeper, Ian Fumacali pulled off a great save to deny Cox 14 minutes later but Lavant saw the game out.

Lavant manager, David Parker, commented: “It was important to bounce back after last week’s defeat. I always felt we were in control of the game with a re-found discipline”.

Lavant: A. Rochester, S.Green, J.Wright, C.Coe, D.Cowell, D.Knight, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, S.Loversidge, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: N.Watts, P.Cairns.

Tangmere 1 Lavant Reserves 3

This game proved to be was a very edgy derby for Lavant playing local rivals Tangmere, who in previous encounters seemed to have the knack of scoring late on to grab the points.

So caution, concentration and discipline were the order of the day for the visitors.  Lavant in fact got off to a great start taking an early lead with only 5 minutes on the clock, as Rhys Watling who was constantly causing problems for the Tangmere defence, was taken down in the box by a rash tackle.

Referee Chris White awarded a penalty and up stepped Ross Lines to bury the ball in the back of the net, 0-1.

Tangmere from the restart pressed Lavant back into their own half in an attempt to get an equaliser as the matched took the shape of a real local derby game, with tackles flying in with full blooded commitment from both sides.

Lavant however remained robust at the back as the homeside failed to really threatened stand-in keeper Simon Watling. The homeside were however quick on the counterattack and created their second goal on 20 minutes.  Youngster Rhys Watling broke into the box, beating a couple of defenders before unselfishly squaring the ball to his strike partner Ross Lines who was in acres of space and was only left with the simplest of tap ins in order to double the visitors lead, 0-2.

This was definitely a body blow to Tangmere who now found themselves two down at home, but to their credit they never gave up as the game continued to swing either way with the homeside chasing every ball putting Lavant under immense pressure.

The rear guard of Lavant again stood firm and even when their defences were breached Tangmere strikers, who had seemed to have left their shooting boots at home, were unable to capitalise due to some poor finishing.

Half time came as a welcome break for the visitors, but a heated team talk to the Lavant players left them under no illusions that there was still much to do in this game, even with a two goal cushion.

True to the warnings, Tangmere on 55 minutes managed to reduce the deficit pulling a goal back from a free kick which produced a goal mouth scramble before the shot was played though the crowded box past a number of players and keeper Watling, 1-2.

This didn’t help Lavant’s cause as the edginess of the derby game resurfaced as players sensed a feeling of déjà vu again. Tangmere were now chasing every ball making it difficult for Lavant to take control of the game.

Chances then fell to both teams, but a combination of poor finishing and good goal keeping denied both teams. At this stage it was Tangmere who looked most likely to draw level, so sensing this manager Cliff Massey set about the with changes bringing on fresh legs introducing Robbie Pinder, Matt Carver and Joe Green.

The effects were instant with Lavant now taking the game to Tangmere.

Chances were now being created by the visitors as the Tangmere keeper was forced to make two fine saves from close range. Lavant still needed the third goal buffer in order to put this match to bed and calm the nerves of the management team of Massey and Milburn who were frantically pacing up and down the touch line.

Then in the closing stages of the game, Lavant left back Daryl Hall picked up the ball on the half way line ran towards the goal before curling the ball round the defender towards the incoming Joe Green, who got his shot away first time, catching the keeper off guard as he could only parry the ball to the floor.

Green quickest to react and first to the ball made no mistake with his second effort drilling the ball home past the stranded keeper ensuring Lavant this time bagged all three points in this hard fought derby, 1-3.

A jubilant Cliff Massey said after the game “This was a close match. Tangmere don’t give you any time on the ball, putting pressure on you very quickly.  That’s why we opted for fresh legs and this worked as we then exerted pressure back onto Tangmere which culminated in a great winning goal from young Joe Green”.

Lavant: S.Watling, D.Hall, D.Morris, M.Ayers, B.Evans, L.Weller, S.Massey, D.Maclean, L.Cook-Jones, R.Watling, R.Lines.  Subs: R.Pinder, M.Carver, J.Green.

Sunday’s Results

Division 2:
Aldingbourne 0, Queens Park South 3
Lamb Steyne 1, University of Chichester 4
Southbourne 4, Six Villages Utd 4
The Railway 0, Nyetimber Pirates 3.

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B:
Worthing Utd Yth 5, Worthing Town Yth 0.

Saturdays Results

Division 1:
Holbrook FC 6, Lavant 2
Petworth 1, Watersfield 3.

Division 3 South:
Harting ,3 Tangmere 2
Lavant II 5, Rustington Park Snrs 0
Selsey FC A 4, The Ship 1
The Sportsman 2, Predators III 4.