Holbrook 6 Lavant 2

With five first team players absent through injury, Lavant Manager, David Parker’s, worst fears came true in this Division One meeting.

However, the visitors started well and looked the better side and more likely to score, especially when Darren Cox and then Ryan Seacombe came close.

All this changed when referee, Andy Guy, awarded a penalty for Chris Coe’s challenge on Paul White. Captain Adam O’Carroll converted the spot kick on the quarter hour and form then on the homeside gradually came more into the game and Lavant became ragged and devoid of self-belief.

The system that had served them so well in recent games was abandoned and they paid the penalty. First ‘keeper Ash Rochester had to save and then Jon Wright clear off his line before White put Holbrook 2-0 in front on 37 minutes.

A mix up between Coe and Rochester allowed White the easiest of goals just before half-time.

The pitch had now become a sea of mud but a roasting from the Manager saw a rejuvenated Lavant appear in the second period and pull one back through Cox early on.

But though Lavant were pressing they were inevitably exposed to Holbrook’s speciality counter attacks. On one such Dan Nason restored their three goal lead on 78 minutes.

White got his hat-trick from an 89th minute free-kick.  But that wasn’t the end of it. In added time, Dave Knight pulled one back for the visitors before substitute, Nat Rowland, hit another for the Horsham side from a clean break away. This will be a day Lavant will want to forget.

Lavant: A. Rochester, J.Walsh, J.Wright, C.Coe, K.Fogden, S.Green, J.Brooks, D.Knight, S.Cole, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: L.Weller, M.Carver, M.Stevens.

Lavant Reserves 5 Rustington Park Seniors 0

Lavant going into this game were forced to make a change in goal, as Duncan Terry stood in for the injured Tom Turner.

And it was Terry who demonstrated his goalkeeping abilities early on producing a number of fine agile saves, as the visitors pressed early on in search of a goal.

With twenty minutes of the game gone and both teams in deadlock the homeside finally made the breakthrough scoring their first goal from a well worked move involving Dave Maclean, Matt Hines and Ross Lines, with Shaun Massey producing a quality finish, to make it two goals in two games for him, 1-0.

This goal seemed to galvanise the Lavant team and considering the boggy pitch they were playing some good passing football with Matt Hine in the middle of the park spraying balls out to the lively Louis Cook-Jones on the wing at every opportunity, as his surging runs caused havoc with the Rustington defence.

The second goal just before half time credited to Rhys Watling was however a little more of a scrappy affair after Peter Cairns floated a ball into the box, as it was pinged around the defenders before rebounding off the keeper and into the path of Watling, who thumped home the ball across the line at lose range, 2-0.

At half time assistant manager Mel Milburn told the players to carry with the passing game, spraying the ball out wide to the flanks and more goals would come.

Watling’s second of the game came on the break from a Rustington corner. The ball was cleared away by captain Martin Ayres into the path of Ross Lines who unselfishly played in Watling, who ran 40 yard’s leaving the defenders in his wake before coolly finishing and putting the homeside 3-0 up.

This goal seemed to break Rustington’s spirit and from then on apart from a long range effort on goal, which Terry made a brilliant save to keep it out, the visitors never really threatened.

From there Lavant went on a surge of attacks on goal with Ben Evens, Pete Cairns, Louis Cook-Jones all going close.  But it was left up to Lavant’s top scorer Ross Lines to show them how to finish.  As Lines added goals four and five, on both occasions scoring from inside the box after good work on both occasions by Watling.

At the final whistle Lavant had notched up a resounding win and team performance.  But the most pleasing to see was that the two youngest players in the team, Louis Cook-Jones and Rhys Watling had made significant contributions to the win.

Manager Cliff Massey commented “Both Louis and Rhys were neck and neck for the man of the match award after today’s game, with Rhys narrowly getting the referee’s vote. This shows great promise for the future for the club”.

Lavant: D.Terry, B.Evans, J.Green, P.Cairns, M.Ayers, S.Massey, D.Maclean, M.Hine, L.Cook-Jones, R.Lines, R.Watling.  Subs: J.Hepworth, M.Milburn.

Sunday’s Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Shuker Memorial Trophy: Semi Finals:
Lamb Steyne 2, Lavant 5
University of Chichester 3, Southbourne 2.

Division 2:
Queens Park South 7, The Railway 1
Six Villages Utd 2, Wheatsheaf II 4.

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B:
Worthing Rebels Yth 2, Worthing Town Yth 1.

Saturdays Results

Division I:
Hunston CC 10, Ashington Rovers 3
Stedham Utd 2, Newtown Villa 2nd 10

Centenary Cup – Rnd 3
Billingshurst 2, Lavant 1

Division III South:
All games cancelled

Billingshurst 2 Lavant 1 (after extra time)
Centenery Cup

This clash between Premiership Billingshurst and Division One Lavant produced a stunning game of football.

Thanks to information picked up the previous week from Chief Scout and ex-Lavant player, John Squires, the visitors perfectly set out their stall to combat the homeside’s 4-3-3 formation.

Billingshurst played some delightful football and pressed in the early stages but Lavant looked comfortable in a defence in which man-of-the-match Tom Parker and co-defender, Jon Wright, shone.

They were only troubled once when Ashley Rochester made a fine save from Matt Balmer.

Lavant, however, produced equally delightful passing in their counter-attacks which saw Dave Knight go close on 14 minutes and Stuart Loversidge open the scoring on 43 minutes and give the visitors a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The second half was a replica of the first until the 73rd minute when the ball stuck in the mud between Rochester and his defence for Paul Elliott to stab home the equaliser from 6 yards, 1-1.

From a corner Chris Coe then headed off the line 2 minutes from full time to deny the premiership side the winner and ensuring the cup tie went into extra time. Extra time saw a Billingshurst counter attack give them the winner as Elliott squared to the unmarked Balmer who stuck home from the six yard box on 99 minutes.

In the second period of extra time Lavant changed to 3 up front to try and equalise. They almost did it. A Loversidge and Cox combination set the hard working Seacombe up but he fired wide.

One minute from the end it looked as if Seacombe had done it when his effort seemed destined to roll into the empty net…but… the ball stopped in the mud and was cleared.

Lavant visit Holbrook in their league programme next Saturday.

Billingshurst: Betts, Buckwell, Thatcher, Blazier, Zydonic, Simmons, Molijn, Thomas, Elliott, Balmer, Lewis. Subs: Stepney, Thatcher, Cause.

Lavant: A.Rochester, J.Walsh, T.Parker, J.Wright, C.Coe, S.Loversidge, J.Brooks, D.Knight, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: B.Evans, N.Watts, S.Eastwood

Sunday’s Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2:
Lavant 2, Lamb Steyne 1

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B:
Broadbridge Heath 4, Worthing Minors Ath 1
Predators Yth 4, Rustington Otters Yth 2
Southwater FC 2, Lavant 2
Worthing Utd Yth 1, Worthing Rebels Yth 1.

Southwater FC 2 Lavant Youth 2

Despite an unbeaten run stretching back to October, manager Karl Gaffney feels Lavant Youth’s quest for the title is in danger of fizzling out. “If we don’t get a goalkeeper we could dip out,” was the manager’s view after Sunday’s disappointing draw at mid-table Southwater.

With no specialist goalkeeper available Lavant have been compelled to use five outfield players this season.

Two goalkeeping ‘miscalculations’ cost Lavant two valuable points. A goal behind after ten minutes meant an uphill task, however, Lavant responded well and dominated what remained of the game. Man of the match Ryan Parfoot equalised on twenty minutes and then top scorer Chris Colwell put Lavant ahead before half time.

With conditions near impossible for any semblance of football Lavant pressed forward searching for the elusive third goal and some breathing space. Chances came and went before a bizarre own goal robbed Lavant of all three points. Following a Southwater set piece Lavant struggled to clear their lines. When, eventually, Nico House did appear to clear, the ball smashed team mate Kieron Gilbert in the face and subsequently flew past a bemused Reece Hanson in goal. Lavant continued to push forward but were unable to grab a winner and all three points.

Lavant have 14 days to sign a goalkeeper and keep their season on track.

Team: K.Gilbert, R, Hillier, L.Cotton, R.Hanson, N.House, R. Parfoot, L. Cook-Jones, C.Young, C.Ransom, C.Webb, C.Colwell. Subs: J. Booth, L. Finch

MOM: Ryan Parfoot.

Saturdays Results

Division I:
Capel 0, Petworth 5
Lavant 3, Stedham Utd 2
Watersfield 1, Newtown Villa II 1.

Division III South:
Harting 2, Lavant II 6
Selsey FC A 3, Tangmere 2.

Lavant 3 Stedham 2

With both teams hovering above the relegation zone, this was a “must win” game for each of them; and it showed in what was a hard and competitive match.

Lavant had a dream start, when Darren Cox’s left wing cross was driven home by Brooks in the opening minute.

Lavant were then put under the cosh but defended resolutely with the visitors’ Nick Plater being the main threat.  But, Lavant’s counter-attacks were swift and lethal and it was from one such assault that striker Stuart Loversidge nipped in to put the homeside 2-0 in front on 22 minutes.

Four minutes later Plater challenged for the ball in the Lavant area and Steve Lintott fired home from the knock down. Lavant however restored their lead within 50 seconds through Cox to give the Chichester side a 3-1 lead at half-time.

Stedham commenced the second period with long balls backed by a general cavalry charge which proved very effective until the Lavant midfield were withdrawn to provide a protection to their back four.

In the meantime Tom Parker’s under hit back pass on 55 minutes sold Lavant ‘keeper, Ash Rochester, short and Stedham stole the ball and a comeback goal as a result.

But after the resulting reorganisation, the homeside looked more comfortable and should have gone further ahead when first, Loversidge and then Chris Coe missed the target.

Man-of-the-Match, midfielder James Brooks, commented “We had to grind this result out, but in the past, under this pressure, we’d have lost the game. This was a resolute performance and a vital 3 points.”

Lavant: A. Rochester, C.Coe, T.Parker, J.Wright, K.Fogden, S.Cole, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, S.Loversidge, D.Cox. Subs: J.Walsh, B.Evans, D.Hall

Stedham: Dixon, Sleight, Riding, White, Shotty, Stevens, Thorpe, Jones, Plater, Lintott, Casselton.Subs: Idris, Young, Heighes.

Harting 2 Lavant Reserves 6

After several recent Jekyll and Hyde performances the Lavant’s management team were somewhat anxious before the game wondering which team would turn out for the match against Harting.

They need not have worried, as the team put in a great opening 20 minutes in which they worked hard together as a team, playing some good controlled football, ultimately resulting in them scoring 3 goals.

The first came after Dave Maclean set up Shaun Massey whose 25 yard strike flew into the top of net leaving the Harting keeper total stationary, 0-1. Then Massey returned the favour setting up Maclean to score the second from a tight angle on the by-line, 0-2.

The third came following a Harting corner which was quickly cleared down field, as Maclean pouncing on the loose ball before neatly lobbing the Harting defence to put through the in-form Reece Watling to coolly finish, showing that striker was now back to his best after his long injury lay off, 0-3.

Three nil up and coasting and the visitor should have been totally in control of the game, but to their credit Harting never gave up and a couple of good chances fell to the homeside’s forwards to reduce the deficit, but thankfully with keeper Tom Turner in fine form the score remained unchanged going into the break.

Then the Jekyll and Hyde worries resurfaced at the start of the second half as Lavant’s football deteriorated as it seemed the early goals had gone to their heads and at ever opportunity they were hell bent on trying to score, resulting in wild shots, poor passing, and a total lack of discipline.

Changes were made in an attempt to bring on some fresh legs as Joe Hepworth and Shay Wiggins replaced Martin Ayers and Guy Pinder, but this seemed initially to have the opposite effect as Harting quickly scored twice from set pieces to now leave the match evenly balanced once more as they chased the equaliser.

Lavant then made their final change of the game bringing on Louis Cook-Jones, a player who has come through the Youth team ranks, for Mel Milburn, as once more manager Cliff Massey tinkered with the team.  The changes were almost instant as once more Lavant started to play some controlled football and with 20 minutes remaining they stepped up a gear scoring three more goals to kill off the game.

First of all Lavant’s top scorer Ross Lines found the back off the net with a quality low shot which torpedoed to the bottom corner from a left hand side, 2-4, then Watling (playing against the team in which he picked up his injury putting him out of action for 4 months) jinxed inside the penalty box before being clumsily brought down and awarded a penalty.

Up stepped keeper Tom Turner to bury the spot kick, 2- 5.   With minutes remaining Joe Hepworth went on a mazy run beating two players on the way into the penalty box, before picking out Watling who then himself passed two players and with all the grace of a seasonal pro, coolly placed the ball in the corner, 2-6.

Man of the match Simon Green said “To get the best out of all the remaining matches we need to perform for 90 minutes and not just in the first and last 20 minutes of the game.  Plenty of talking, showing for each other, playing to feet, and battling as a team, will ensure we can avoid the hair dryer treatment at half time from the managers!”

Lavant: T. Turner, S.Green, P.Cairns, M.Ayers, M.Milburn, S.Massey, D.Maclean, G.Pinder, R.Pinder, R.Lines, R.Watling,  Subs: J.Hepworth, L.Cook-Jones, S.Wiggins.

We have now had Matt Price write in to the forum from Australia, following our recent message from Mike Neville who is currently in Vietnam. It is great to hear from Matt who is working out there for a few months and it seems as if he has teamed up with our other Lavant FC Ausie Roy Gibbs.  Even though the guy’s are on the other side of the world they are still checking up on their club. UP the Lavant

Lavant Supporters Overseas-Australian Division

by lineker » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:31 am Hi lads

Lavant FC is becoming truly international courtesy of M Neville, and has reached Perth- Western Australia where myself and Roy ‘the boy’ Gibbs are based. Its pretty hot here and the women are stunning-Tonka and Bobby you should organise a mid-season tour here! Glad to see the run of great results recently…I’ve been on a scouting mission to watch Perth Glory the local footy team here who I think we’d give a good game. Robbie Fowler has standing around the centre circle for them this season (a la Matt Hine!!) and is apparently leaving so I could try to sign him up but sounds like he’d be warming the bench for Stu Loversidge at the moment! I’m doing some pre-season training with Fremantle United at the moment and they were asking about the availability of Dave Kennard but I told them they probably couldn’t afford him…

Keep the results coming-see you all soon

Pricey

Sunday’s Results

Chichester &West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2:
Lamb Steyne 9, Aldingbourne 1
Southbourne 2, The Railway 2.

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B:
Worthing Town Youth 0, Lavant 5
Southwater FC 3, Predators Yth 3
Worthing Rebels Yth 1, Broadbridge Heath 0

by KingHarryNoMore » Sat Feb 05, 2011 11:01 am Good win against Ashington boys. I very much enjoyed reading the report from my current location of Vietnam. Can’t believe Dave Kennard is still in the team, but well done anyway.

The last month has been spent cycling through China and today we crossed the border into Nam. China is weird, they eat chicken feet and stuff. Chinese government blocked most things so I have not watched football for weeks. ESPN is back on the TV in Vietnam so hopefully I can catch up.

Good luck in the coming games, thank God Stuey Loversidge is back. He really brings a bit of class back surrounded by the likes of Kennard.

Saturdays Results

Division I
Ashington Rovers 0, Lavant 6
Barnham 2nd 1, Petworth 1
Faygate Utd 0, Newtown Villa 2nd 0
Stedham Utd 3, Capel 2

Division III South
Lavant 2nd 3, Tangmere 5
Selsey FC ‘A’ 7, The Sportsman 1
Square Deal FC 3, Angmering 2nd 1

Ashington Rovers 0 Lavant 6

Lavant’s winning run continued with a third victory on the trot as they visited a muddy and windswept Church Lane.

Ashington ‘Keeper, Charlie Smith was in action early on as he pulled of a great 6 minutes save from visiting striker, Ryan Seacombe.

The young goalie seemed to have it in for Seacombe when he denied him again 8 minutes later, but left winger Dan Cowell drove home the rebound from 18 yds to open Lavant’s account.

Seacombe produced a sweet back-healer to put Darren Cox clear and he struck home to double Lavant’s lead on 19 minutes.

Despite Stuart Loversidge forcing another great save from Smith 6 minutes from half-time, Lavant manager, David Parker, was furious with his team for losing discipline and shape in an effort by them to go on a goal spree.

Clearly this message was driven home at the break for the Chichester side went 3-0 up as Cox hit his second within a minute of the restart. More importantly the visitors played in a more consistent and disciplined manner, resulting in a better defensive performance and three more goals.

Midfielder, Dave Knight , made it 4-0 in the 55th minute and Loversidge tapped home 8 minutes later from 2yds after Smith had blocked Seacombe yet again.

Then came the goal of the game 12 minutes from time, when superb combination play by Cox and Knight left Matt Stevens to sweetly strike a 25 yarder into the top corner to end a workmanlike performance by the visitors.

Ashington R: Smith, R.Geal, M.Squires, Leagoe, Sullivan, Hutt, Johnson, B.Golds, P.Geal, Gardener, Lamport. Subs: M.Golds, D.Sqiures, Morris, Sevell, Sturgess.

Lavant: A.Rochester, C.Coe, D.Kennard, J.Wright, K.Fogden, S.Loversidge, D.Knight, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: S.Eastwood,  M.Carver.

Lavant Reserves 3 Tangmere 5

This weeks game was played out at a fast and furious pace as both Lavant and Tangmere battled it out in the desperate hope grabbing a win in order to maintain their challenge on the Division 3 South league title.

With early chances at both ends it was Tangmere who took first blood, scoring from a free kick on the edge of the box, giving Lavant keeper Tom Turner no chance, 0-1.

Lavant playing with the wind behind them then forced a succession of corners.  With Joe Hepworth making his first appearance for Lavant this season taking the corners, he took advantage of the windy conditions and struck the ball swiftly into the far top hand corner of the goal, drawing the homeside level, 1-1.

There was no let up in the game and with a heavy pitch, tackles were flying in and Lavant’s influential centre-back Martin Ayres was taken off injured. With Ross Lines replacing Ayers the homeside were forced to alter their formation. Tangmere took advantage of the change, pressing forward and with a neat through ball caught the rear guard sleeping, as Tangmere’s pacy forward ran through on goal to score and put the visitors 2-1 up.

With manager Cliff Massey giving orders from the side, Lavant then had their best spell of the game. A corner from the left was headed clear to the edge of the box as Joe Hepworth chested the ball down and volleyed it into the back of the net 2-2.

Lavant then put together their best move of the game, with some precise passing they work their way through the Tangmere rear guard and Ross Lines was on the end of the move to coolly slot home and put Lavant in front for the first time during the game, 3-2.

Then shortly before half time a hurried back pass saw Turner misjudge the pass and miss-kick the ball, as it then slowly and agonisingly roll just over the line and in, ensure the scores were level at 3-3 going into half time.

Tangmere seemed more determined to want to win this game right from the restart as they stepped up a gear and started to control the game. Their renewed determination soon paid off as their pacy front men worked well together forging a chance on the flank which saw Turner unluckily beaten as the shot was wickedly deflected into the goal, once more giving the visitors the lead, 3-4.

Tangmere confidence was now sky high and they pushed forward at every opportunity in search of another goal, but a succession of chances went amiss as Turner produced a number of acrobatic saves to ensure Lavant were still in with a chance of drawing level.

The final goal, which decided the outcome of the game, went to the visitors.  Lavant still busy arguing with the referee over the decision to award a free-kick were caught napping as Tangmere quickly took the kick and with no opposition within sight they took advantage and extended their lead with only minutes remaining, 3-5.

Manager Cliff Massey said disappointingly at the end, “this wasn’t the team we had planned to start with and after losing three players to illness in the morning we went into this game somewhat under strength. However if our passing and overall possession had been better and if we had kept more focused on the match, maintaining our discipline then we could have still got something out of the game”.

Lavant: T. Turner, S.Green, B.Evans, P.Cairns, M.Ayers, S.Watling, S.Massey, D.Maclean, J.Hepworth, R.Pinder, S.Cole.  Subs: R.Lines, M.Milburn.

Sunday’s Results

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday League
Division 2:
Aldingbourne 0, Six Villages Utd 2
Lamb Steyne 4, Southbourne 2
Lavant 4, Queens Park South 0
The Railway 0, University of Chichester 6.

Arun & Chichester Youth League
Division B:
Broadbridge Heath 7, Rustington Otters Yth 2
Lavant 3, Southwater 0
Predators Yth 3, Worthing Town Yth 1
Worthing Minors Ath 4, Worthing Utd Yth

Lavant Youth 3 Southwater 0

Lavant moved up to third in the league with a hard-earned win over mid-table Southwater.

Ryan Parfoot opened the scoring on ten minutes with his first goal of the season, this after being put through by Mwenya Chisanga.

The remainder of the first half was largely uneventful with both teams struggling to play football on a very difficult surface.

In the second period Lavant adjusted to the conditions and their game improved. Chances came and went – Webb fired high and Colwell fired wide when both looked set to score.  With the score still at 1-0 Southwater presented a real threat on the counter attack. Gilbert and Cotton combined for a goal line clearance when goalkeeper Hillier was beaten.

Lavant introduced White and Booth into the fray and the move had an immediate effect. Charlie Ransom found himself free and slotted in a second.  Lavant relaxed a little and began to play some good football. Joe Booth set up Chris Colwell with a pinpoint pass and the striker fired in to give Lavant a 3-0 win.

Next week Lavant play host to Worthing Town.

Lavant: R Hillier, M.Chisanga, L.Cotton, K. Gilbert, N.House, R.Parfoot, L.Cook-Jones, R.Hanson, C.Ransom, C.Webb, C.Colwell. Subs: J White, C Young, J Booth  MOM K. Gilbert

Saturday’s Results

West Sussex LeagueCentenary Cup: Second round:
Hunston CC 1, Lavant 2
Henfield 5, Capel 1
Pulborough 2, Newdigate 1
Stedham Utd 1, Holbrook FC 5.

Division 1:
Faygate Utd 1, Watersfield 0
Petworth 0, Newtown Villa II 0.

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

What a Yellow Weekend

This weekend all four Lavant side recorded victories.  13 goals for and only 2 aganst.  You can not beat a win but four wins make this a great weekend.

Hunston 1 Lavant 2
Centenary Cup

Lavant built on last week’s first win in 7 games by another competent performance under their new system of play.

This looked to be in jeopardy when Tom Parker was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area and Tim Feniton fired the homeside in front from the spot kick with only 4 minutes on the clock.

Lavant came close to equalising when Hunston ‘keeper, Steve Chiddle pulled off a fine save to deny James Brooks to leave the homeside 1-0 in front at half-time.

Dave Turner nearly doubled Hunston’s lead after the restart but his 50th minute effort hit the post. But in fairness the visitors were resolute in defence and fluid in attack and deserved their equaliser when Darren Cox scored on the hour with a superlative shot after a delightful 8 man move.

Stuart Eastwood replaced the injured Dan Cowell 12 minutes from time and the Chichester side had to reshuffle their formation. But this did not stop Cox winning the game by converting Stuart Loversidge’s cross 2 minutes from official time.

With 5 minutes added time to play Lavant were under siege but held on to deservedly progress to the next round of the cup.

Hunston: Chiddle, Green, Elliott, Bailey, Steer, Davis, Jenkins, Thompson, Platt, Feniton, Turner. Subs: Meredith, Wills, Smith.

Lavant: A. Rochester, C.Coe, T.Parker, J.Wright, K.Fogden, D.Knight, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, D.Cowell, S.Loversidge, D.Cox. Subs: S.Eastwood.

Congratulations to six West Sussex Football League teams on reaching the Quarter Finals of the Junior Cup competition. Games to be played 5th Feb.

Those are; Henfield, Newtown Villa 3rds, Fittleworth, Worthing BCOB, Barnham 3rds & Yapton

So that’s 6 out of the final 8 which reflects on the strength of the League

Also well done to Cowfold in reaching the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup v Hurstpierpoint on the 26th Feb

Well done and good luck

Chris Bridges
General Secretary & Fixtures Secretary

Re-arranged fixture

Next week Lavant first team are now away to Hunston in the Centenary Cup and it is a 1.30pm KO

Sundays Results

Division 2:
Six Villages Utd 4, University of Chichester 1
The Railway 1, Aldingbourne 1.

Youth League Division B
Lavant Youth 8, Worthing Minors Athletic 1
Predators Youth U18 2 Broadbridge Heath U18 5
Worthing United Youth 3, Worthing Rebels Youth 1

Lavant Youth 8 Worthing Minors Athletic 1

Goals from Chris Colwell (3), Kieron Gilbert, Chris Webb, Charlie Ransom, Reece Hanson, Louis Cook-Jones gave a Lavant a handsome win over fellow title contenders Worthing Minors.

Before the match, managers, Karl Gaffney and Rick McKenna described it as a “must win” game.

Without a game for five weeks there was a concern that Lavant might be a little rusty. However, from the opening whistle they took the game to their opponents. First matching, and then outplaying them in every position.

With the defence superbly marshalled by debutant goalkeeper, Ryan Hillier, Lavant didn’t come under any sustained pressure.

On the rare occasions that Worthing did threaten the Lavant goal, Hillier’s handling was exemplary.

Next Sunday, Lavant play host to Southwater at Raughmere Park.

Lavant: Ryan Hillier, Mwenya Chisanga, Luke Cotton, Kieron Gilbert, Nico House, Ryan Parfoot, Louis Cook-Jones, Reece Hanson, Charlie Ransom, Chris Webb, Chris Colwell. Subs: Jamie White, Callum Young, Joe Booth. MOM: Chris Webb.

Saturdays Results

Division I
Capel 0, Watersfield 9
Holbrook FC 2, Hunston CC 3
Lavant 4, Ashington Rovers 1

Divison III South
Harting  1, Angmering Reserves 5
Rustington Park Seniors 0, The Ship 5

Lavant 4 Ashington Rovers 1

Lavant secured their first win in 7 games with the adoption of a new system of play which although it’s early days seemed to operate better for the Chichester side.

A spell of great passing played Stuart Loversidge in on the left only to see him upended in the box and Darren Cox converted the spot kick at the second attempt to put the homeside 1-0 in front on 8 minutes.

Six minutes later an equally good move this time on the right allowed Ryan Seacombe to double the lead in converting Dave Knight’s cross.

Loversidge was chopped down again in a repetition of the fist incident and Cox made it 3-0 from the penalty spot 8 minutes from half-time.

The visitors upped the tempo at the restart and put Lavant under intense pressure. This was rewarded just before the hour when Chris Johnson pulled one back for Rovers after a defensive error.

But three substitutions and a reshape of the team gave Lavant dominance again in midfield paving the way for man of the match James Brooks to seal the homeside’s three points two minutes from the final whistle. The supplier again being Knight.

Lavant: A. Rochester, C.Coe, D.Kennard, J.Wright, K.Fogden, D.Knight, J.Brooks, M.Stevens, S.Loversidge, R.Seacombe, D.Cox. Subs: D.McClean, J.Walsh, S.Eastwood (R.Lines not used)