Division 1:
Faygate vs Lavant Postponed

Division 3 South:
Angmering Reserves 5, Tangmere 6
Sportsman F.C 1, Harting 4. Bareham Trophy:
Pulborough 1,  Regis Veterans 4
Rogate 08 FC 4, Lavant Reserves 3

Sundays Results

Division 2:
Lavant 2 Chichester University 1

Under18:
Invitation Cup:
Predators Yth 2, Felpham Colts Yth 1
Worthing Minors Ath 0, Bosham Yth 4
Worthing Town Yth 0, Barnham Trojans 4
Broadbridge Heath 5, Rustington Otters Yth 1.

Division B:
Lavant 6, Worthing Utd Yth 1
Worthing Rebels Yth 2, Southwater FC 2.

Six of the Best!

Lavant Youth 6 Worthing Utd Youth 1

Lavant returned to winning ways with a scintillating second half performance against Worthing Utd at Raughmere Park.

Chances were scarce in an evenly contested first half. After 30 minutes, Worthing came close to breaking the deadlock but Tom Cowell saved bravely at the feet of Connor Hancorn.

At the other end, Lavant were restricted to a couple of long range efforts from Joe Booth and a half-chance for Chris Webb. With half-time looming, Lavant were once again undone with a set-piece goal.

A corner from the left found the head of the unmarked Adam, he rose unchallenged and scored via the far post. That was the last action of the first half. Lavant were a different team in the second half. After just two minutes Chris Webb burst through and withstood the challenge of two defenders before calmly slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.

A minute later and Lavant were in front. A superbly flighted ball from Ryan Hillier was met by Louis Cook-Jones and he headed bravely over the keeper. Lavant were cock-a-hoop, and within a couple of minutes it was 3-1.

Once again, Webb used his strength to score a carbon copy of his first. Worthing were all at sea, and on the hour Lavant scored a fourth when Chris Colwell used his devastating pace to outstrip the Worthing defence before placing his shot past the shell-shocked keeper. The classy Cook-Jones was now running the show and he set up Chris Webb who fired in from outside the box to complete a spectacular hat-trick.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Colwell left the Worthing defence in his wake before producing a cool finish to wrap the game up at 6-1.

Lavant: T. Cowell, R. Hillier, L. Cotton, K. Gilbert, R. Hanson, R. Parfoot, L. Cook-Jones, J. Booth, C. Ransom, C. Webb, C. Colwell. Subs: K. Derry, C. Young, L. Finch MOM: Chris Webb

Saturdays Results

Centenary Cup: Second round:
Angmering 0, Newtown Villa 1
Billingshurst , Billingshurst Ath
Capel 5, Alfold 0
Clymping Res 2, West Chiltington 6
Faygate Utd 3, Lancing Utd 1
Petworth 0, Newdigate 1
Pulborough 6, Slinfold 0
Stedham Utd 3, Boxgrove 2
Upper Beeding 3, Watersfield 5.

Bareham Trophy: Second round:
Milland 5, Yapton II 3
Whyke Utd 5, Harting 2
Wittering Utd II 10, Chapel 1.

Tony Kopp Cup: Second round:
Alfold II 2, Horsham Baptists 4
Barns Green II 4, Newdigate II 0
Faygate Utd II 3, Plaistow 0
Ockley 4, Upper Beeding II 3.

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 1, Hunston 5
Barnham II 3, Lavant 2
Newtown Villa II 0, Holbrook 3.

Division 3 South:
Tangmere 3, Rustington Park Snrs 1
The Ship 5, The Sportsman 0.

Barnham Reserves 3 Lavant 2

Lavant had domination of this game for an hour and looked destined to take 3 points.

Striker, Sam Cole hit the frame of the goal after 16 minutes and co-striker, Ryan Seacombe, opened the scoring 10 minutes later, converting a Ross Lines cross after the winger had beaten two Barnham players.

Despite a sloppy midfield pass letting Brad Nixon in to draw Barnham level on 32 minutes, Lavant looked comfortable. They deservedly took the lead again as Seacombe this time converted a right wing cross from Alan Sheppard 6 minutes from half-time.

James Brooks could have buried the game seconds later but shot over. Lavant continued in the same vein in the second half with Lines hitting the cross bar after a delightful move by the visitors.

Then Lavant failed to get behind the ball when out of possession and the game opened up as a result, playing into Barnham’s hands. Substitute, Damon Beasley produced a beautiful finish to put the homeside level on 70 minutes and when Tom Parker gave away a penalty, Harry Abraham converted the winner with 8 minutes to go.

Manager, David Parker lamented “The best team lost. We had it in the bag and unprofessionally let the game open out.  Another lesson to learn: but these lessons are becoming very expensive”.

Lavant: A. Rochester, N. Watts, T. Parker, D. Kennard, M. Price, A. Sheppard, J. Brooks, M. Stevens, R. Lines, R. Seacombe, S. Cole.  Subs: J. Walsh, M. Carver, S. Eastwood.

Lavant Reserves 0 AFC Brighton & Hove 3
Sussex Junior Cup

It was time to take the players minds of their recent poor league form and concentrate on putting in a positive performance against visitors AFC Brighton and Hove in this Sussex Junior Cup fixture.

This match would therefore prove a good test for the homeside as AFC were a division above them in their respective league and were currently second in Div II of the Brighton & Hove District Football League.

It was Lavant who started the better of the two teams, a familiar story with good possession football, working the ball through the tight AFC midfield and creating chances with Dan Cowell going close on two occasions with well taken strikes.

With recalled striker Robbie Pinder also winning the aerial battle up front, the players were rising to the challenge and looked to be on top.  Then on forty minutes an AFC corner was headed clear only to fall into the path of an AFC player on the edge of the box, who struck it on the volley and straight into the back of the net, giving keeper Tom Turner no chance and putting the visitors into a shock lead minutes before half time, 0-1.

Words at the interval by manager Cliff Massey brought the players out fighting for the second half and Lavant once more forced the play, pushing AFC to defend their slender lead.

Again Lavant forged out a number of chances with Cowell, Darren Cox and Shaun Massey going close, but with a combination of the post, good goalkeeping and fortunate defending Lavant were unable to capitalize.

As the minutes ticked by Lavant left themselves more exposed to the counter attack as they desperately pushed forward in search of an equalizer and AFC eventually capitalized on the situation as they quickly broke away down the right flank before putting in a sublime cross, picking out their unmarked striker, who brought the ball under control and calmly slotted home their second of the game, 0-2.

Lavant brought on striker Louis Weller and changed formation playing with three at the back to try and rescue the game and this once more kept AFC on the back foot.  But there was no way back and lady luck was not shining on Lavant this week as another counter attack saw AFC with a man over and spoilt for choice on who to pass to, as they made it three nil on 85 minutes and game over.

Assistant Manager Mel Milburn commented ” Good luck to AFC Brighton & Hove in the next round of the cup, we now have to prepare for next week and the lads can take many positives from this match, especially as we matched the higher opposition for much of the game and the final score perhaps somewhat flattered the visitors victory”.

Lavant: T. Turner, D. Ranjbar, M. Ayers, J. Wright, P. Cairns, D. Maclean, D. Page, S. Massey, D.Cowell, D.Cox, R. Pinder. Subs: M.Hine, L. Weller, S. Green.

As part of a way of raising additional funding to help pay for the up-keep of the hall, which includes the Changing Rooms used by the Football Club, the Hall  Management Committee are planning to launch a 200 club in January 2011. What is it about?

The 200 club is a mini-lottery in which 50% of the proceeds are given away in cash prizes each month and the remaining 50% balance goes towards funds for the up-keep of the hall. The subscription is £1 per month for every number you wish to reserve in the draw.  The fees have to be paid either 6 monthly or 12 monthly or via direct debit. Who can join?

The 200 Club is open to anyone aged 18 years and over.  How does it work?

When you have paid your subscription, your number (or numbers) will be reserved for you and you will be advised accordingly. Numbered tokens which have been subscribed to will be put into a bag and will be drawn at random by an independant witness.

The draw will be made at the monthly meetings of the Hall Management Committee, normally the first Tuesday of the month, except in August when the draw will take place at the September meeting.  Winners will be notified as soon as possible after the draw by telephone of e-mail.

For more information or for the application form please contact David Kent at the football club or Peter Winter, 51 Maplehurst Road, Chichester, PO19 6QL, tel 01243 528224, oe email peter.winter@btinternet.com

Based on 200 members, for £1 a month you will have a chance to win one of three cash prizes £60, £25 or £15. So if you can, please sign up to the 200 Club and help contribute to the up-keep of the hall and changing rooms as well as giving yourself the oppotunity to win a cash prize each month.

Sundays Results

Division 2:
Aldingbourne 2, Lavant 6

Under 18 Division B:
Worthing Town Yth 2, Predators Yth 2
Worthing Utd Yth 3, Lavant 0.

Worthing Utd Youth 3 Lavant Youth 0.

A combination of slipshod defending and missed opportunities proved costly for Lavant Youth and the eventual 3-0 score-line slightly flattered Worthing Utd as Lavant enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession.

Lavant began the game well and took the game to their hosts. The early pressure seemed to pay off as Chris Colwell raced through to ‘score’ the opener. Unfortunately the linesman spotted an infringement and the goal was duly ruled out.

On fifteen minutes Worthing took the lead. The Lavant defence failed to clear a free kick from the right. From the ensuing scramble Connor Hancorn shot low into the net. Although rocked by the setback, Lavant went on the offensive.

Webb and Colwell had good opportunities to equalise but both shot wide when well placed. Shortly afterward Lavant conceded a needless corner. From the resultant kick, George Martin rose unchallenged to head past Tom Cowell.

Despite being 2-0 down Lavant began the second half confident that they could get back into the game. However, after just a couple of minutes a lapse in concentration allowed Connor Hancorn to race through and score his second with a well-taken goal.

Chris Colwell had another ‘goal’ disallowed for the visitors when he was adjudged to have been offside. Lavant showed a good deal of character and with the introduction of Joe Booth, completely dominated what remained of the game.

Ryan Parfoot, Webb and Colwell all had chances to reduce the arrears, but try as they might Lavant were unable to get the goal that would get them back into the game and Worthing ran out 3-0 winners.

Next Sunday Lavant play host to Worthing Utd Youth.

Lavant: T. Cowell, R. Hillier, K. Gilbert, L. Cotton, J. Brockhurst, R. Parfoot, L. Cook-Jones, R. Hanson, J. White, C. Webb, C. Colwell. Subs: L. Finch, J. Booth.

Saturdays Results

Division 1:
Capel 3, Stedham Utd 3
Faygate Utd 3, Ashington Rovers 3
Lavant 0, Hunston CC 6
Newtown Villa II 4, Petworth 1.

Division 3 South:
Angmering II 3, Square Deal FC 2
Predators 5, Lavant II 1
Rustington Park Snrs 0, The Sportsman 0
Selsey FC A 6, Harting 0
The Ship 2, Tangmere 3.

Lavant 0 Hunston 6

This was a clash of two 4-3-3 systems. Hunston were masters of it.  Lavant only pupils. The visitors outclassed their opponents and feeding off their central attacker played the wide forwards in to devastating effect…

Alan Sheppard battling to win the ball, with Kevin Fogden in the background

Tim Fewster opened Hunston’s account with a delicious 18 yd lob on 5 minutes. Dave Turner just got a toe to a through ball inches before his marker, Matt Carver, to stab home number two 8 minutes later.

Central striker Dean Platt, headed home at close range a right wing cross after poor marking just before the half hour and Daryl Bailey added the fourth 4 minutes  before half-time.

Whilst it was true to say Lavant’s heads never went down, it was a tightening and refinement of their system at half-time that produced a better performance.

The homeside pressed the visitors’ goal more effectively and despite conceding 3 minutes into the half when Turner was left unmarked, the correction of this frustrated the visitors who only got their sixth goal through a set piece corner kick as Fewster hit his second with 7 minutes to go.

James Brooks on the ball

Fate brings the two sides together again in the Centenary Cup and Lavant can discover how much they’ve learnt from this engagement.

Lavant: A.Rochester, J.Houghton, D. Kennard, M. Carver, K. Fogden, A. Sheppard, J.Brooks,  M. Stevens, M. Price, S.Cole, R. Seacombe. Subs: N.Watts, J.Walsh, S. Eastwood.

Predetors 5 Lavant Reserves 1

Top versus second, one point between them and all to play for in this battle for top spot and you would have put money on the game being a tight affair, but in the end Predators ran out deserved victors, even if the 5-1 score somewhat flattered the homesides performance.

For the opening 25 minutes Lavant were camped in Predators half, but failed to make any headway, seldom challenging the keeper. The closest Lavant came to scoring was when Ross Lines turned and shot from 35 yards out beating the keeper but smashing against the bar.

This was the turning point for Predators, who upped the aggressive style of play forcing Lavant on the back foot and eventually breaking the deadlock as their striker latched on to a wayward pass before neatly finishing past the stranded keeper, 1-0.

With 5 minutes of the first half remaining the game threatened to boil over with meaty challenges going in from both sides, but referee Roy Johnson showed why the game still needed refs like him.

The second half saw Predators come out the stronger and immediately extended their lead with a simple tap in following a desperate goal mouth scramble.  Lavant never gave up and pushed forward in numbers in an effort to try and get back into the game, but Predators were quick on the counter attack and a neat lob over the Lavant’s back four saw their striker muscle in and add another the to the growing tally.

Three nil down and manager Cliff Massey changed the shape of the team playing three at the back and bringing on Ben Evans and Dan Ranjbar in an effort to try and get something out of the game and it seemed to work when Ranjbar and Dan Cowell combined to find Matt Hine who scored to reduce the deficit, 3-1.

Then Straight after the restart came the killer blow, as Predators scored their fourth of the game, 4-1.  With heads down Lavant were now playing as a beaten team and Predators capitalised on this, after a fine save by Pullen the defence were slow to react and Predators added their fifth of the game, 5-1.

Manager Cliff Massey said “The pleasing thing about today was seeing Roy out there still refereeing and keeping a control of the game, after the sad loss of his wife this week, that’s real commitment for you.  All of Lavant football club would like to give him and his family our sincere condolences during this sad time.”

Lavant: M.Pullen, S.Green, M.Ayers, J.Wright, P.Cairns, D.Maclean, M.Hine, S.Massey, D.Cowell, D.Cox, R. Lines. Subs: R.Pinder, B.Evans, D.Ranjbar

Sundays Results

Division 2:
Aldingbourne 0, University of Chichester 7
Six Villages Utd 2, Lavant 2
Wheatsheaf II 2, Queens Park South 9.

Under 18: Challenge Cup:
Avisford Yth 1, Billingshurst 4
Lavant 0, Upper Beeding 5
Worthing Rebels Yth 2, Felpham Colts 0
Worthing Utd Yth 5, Southwater 2

Lavant Crash Out of the Cup

Lavant Youth 0 Upper Beeding Youth 5

This week Lavant Youth crashed out of the Challenge Cup at the hands of Upper Beeding.

After five wins on the trot, including a County Cup victory at Upper Beeding earlier in the month, Lavant went into their first home game of the season full of confidence.

The homeside began well enough, dominating the early exchanges. However, it was Upper Beeding somewhat against the run of play that opened the scoring. Jamie Kieth and man of the match Dean Wingham combined to set Tom Warren free.

He skipped through a static defence before firing past Tom Cowell. Lavant knocked back by the goal, struggled to re-establish their earlier dominance on the game and although they worked hard in the middle of the park they rarely threatened Beeding goalkeeper James Johnson.

Then on 35 minutes the homeside were dealt the sucker punch as Warren scored his second with an unstoppable shot, giving the visitors a two nil lead going into the break.

The second half began with Lavant pressing, leaving themselves vulnerable to the counter attack. Upper Beeding capitalised after 55 minutes when Tom Warren was once again gifted time and space as he netted his third.

To their credit, Lavant continued to try to play football, but on the day, they were no match for Upper Beeding. An own goal, and an excellent strike from Isaac Mehmed completed a miserable afternoon for Lavant Youth.

Lavant: T. Cowell, N. House, L. Cotton, K. Gilbert, R. Hillier, L. Finch, R. Hanson, J. White, R. Parfoot,
C. Colwell, M. Chisanga. Subs: L. Cook-Jones, J. Brockhurst, K. Derry.

Saturdays Results

Malcolm Simmonds Memorial Cup: Second round:
Ashington Rovers 0, Angmering 3
Holbrook FC 6, Lavant 1
Lancing Utd 6, Billingshurst 5.

Division Three Cup: First round:
Tangmere 8, Forest Res 2. Division 1:
Barnham II 4, Faygate Utd 4
Hunston CC 3, Newtown Villa II 1
Petworth 2, Capel 1
Stedham Utd 0, Watersfield 5.

Division 3 South:
Harting 5, Square Deal FC 1
Lavant II 2, Selsey FC A 3
Rustington Park Snrs 0, Angmering II 3
The Sportsman 1, The Ship 4.

Holbrook 6 Lavant 1
Malcolm Simmonds Cup

Holbrook took full advantage of Lavant’s mental absence at the start of this match by knocking in 3 goals in the first quarter of an hour and another 2 by the half hour mark. Man of the match, Kieran Greig, opened the homeside’s account with a well taken goal on 6 minutes.

Mark Green was a little fortunate to find his lob from a loose ball at a corner kick drop home 3 minutes later and from a similar situation Shaun Findlay’s shot zipped under ‘keeper Ash Rochester on the quarter hour.

Findlay who was outstanding made it 4-0 on 19 minutes and Nat Rowland completed the rout just before the half hour.

Manager David Parker changed the tactical formation and the visitors were more comfortable, stemming the haemorrhage of goals and indeed pulling one back just before half-time when Stuart Loversidge set up Alan Sheppard’s consolation goal.

Lavant were more formidable in the second half and twice hit the woodwork despite Findlay completing his hat-trick with a 25 yd drive just before the hour.

Manager Parker lamented, “We had a terrible day at the office but will take lessons from this to employ in our two league games with Holbrook later in the season”.

Holbrook: Borst, Davis, Medhurst, Emmett, N. Ocarrol, A. Ocarrol, Greig,  P. White, Findlay Green, Rowland. Subs: S. White, Mitchell, Wint.

Lavant: A.Rochester, G. Ockwell, T. Sheppard, M. Carver, K. Fogden, A. Sheppard, D. Knight, M. Stevens, T. Parker, S. Loversidge, R. Seacombe. Subs: S.Cole, A. Yaxley, S. Eastwood.

Lavant Reserves 2 Selsey A 3

The crowd at Raughmere Park were treated to a fine footballing display Saturday as the two Division III pace setters battled it out for all three precious points.

Lavant starting the brighter of the two, immediately putting Selsey under pressure with Lavant debutant Darren Cox testing the keeper early on.  With both sides pushing forward at every opportunity the game was fast and furious and the homeside should have broken the deadlock as Robbie Pinder broke through the back line with only the keeper to beat.

But the Selsey keeper pulled off a great save to deny Lavant the opener.  Then with 20 minutes gone Matt Hine received the ball in the middle of the park and side stepping a Selsey player before putting the ball into the feet of rising star Dan Cowell, who skinned two Selsey players down the flank before crossing to Cox on the edge of the eighteen yard box, who fired home the ball 1-0.

Selsey from the restart upped their game forcing two fine saves from keeper Pullen.  With half time fast approaching Lavant’s back four were constantly under great pressure but centre backs Martin Ayers and John Wright weathered the storm to ensure the homeside went into the break holding onto their slender lead.

The second half was barely under way when Lavant centre forward Darren Cox was brought down in the penalty area, but referee Martin Barrow was unimpressed by the appeals as he waved play on.  Then minutes later as Selsey counterattacked he then awarded the visitors a penalty, as Wright was adjudged to have fouled in the area.

Up stepped Selsey to hammer home the penalty and equaliser, 1-1. This was the incentive to bring on Lavant’s leading scorer Ross Lines and with his first touch of the game was to flick the ball on from keeper Pullen’s long kick into the path of the Darren Cox who ran on to score his second goal of the game and re-establish the homeside’s lead, 2-1.

Lavant still celebrating their second goal, allowed Selsey back into the game and the visitors took control of the midfield, taking advantage and scoring a long range screamer of an equaliser, giving Pullen no chance, 2-2.

Lavant weren’t about to give up and had several chances to regain the lead once more.  But in injury time Lavant were made to pay for missed chances, as a free kick, right of goal and 45 yards out was lofted into the area, only for an unmarked Selsey player to head in at the far post and snatch the winner right on full time, inflicting Lavant’s first defeat of the season.

Man of the match Dan Cowell added “It was a marked improvement from last week performance and a great game to be involved in, final result aside.”

Lavant: M.Pullen, S.Green, M.Ayers, J.Wright, P.Cairns, D.Maclean, M.Hine, S.Massey, D.Cowell, D.Cox, R.Pinder. Subs: R.Lines, B.Evans, L.Weller.

Sundays Results

Charity Cup:
Long Socks 5, FC Swan 8
Lamb Steyne 7, Avisford Sports 1
Lavant 2, University of Chichester 1
AFC Chichester 1, Southbourne 1
Wittering 5, The Old Barn 4
Elmer 11, Westbourne 1
Nyetimber Pirates 6, Aldingbourne 1
Pagham Rangers 1, Queens Park South 2.

Division 2:
Six Villages Utd 3, The Railway 2

Youth League
Division B:
Southwater FC 6, Rustington Otters Yth 1
Worthing Minors Ath 5, Predators Yth 0
Worthing Rebels Yth 1, Lavant Youth 4
Worthing Town yth , Broadbridge Heath .

Worthing Rebels 1 Lavant Youth 4

Lavant dominated from the off with Ryan Parfoot in sparkling form. His pace and close control was a constant threat to the Rebels defence. With a touch more composure he might have had two or three goals after 15 minutes.

Lavant continued to press but couldn’t find the breakthrough. After 30 minutes, and against the run of play, Rebels took a surprise lead. A lapse in concentration allowed Jordan Jones to skip through unchallenged and fire past Tom Cowell.

Two minutes later Tom Cowell kept out a thirty yard sizzler with a fingertip save.  Lavant recovered from the setback and should have been on level terms before the break. Jack Brockhurst worked himself two openings, but twice fired wide with just the keeper to beat.

The second half saw a much improved performance from Lavant. Two goals in the opening five minutes from leading scorer, Chris Colwell turned the game on it’s head. Thereafter, Lavant dominated, with Jamie White and Reece Hanson pulling the strings from midfield.

Mwenya Chisanga was causing havoc with his surging runs down the right. A five man move culminated with Nico House firing in a left footer from the edge of the box, 3-1.

Chances came and went before the hard-working Chris Webb wrapped things up with a well-taken fourth for Lavant. The goal capped a well-disciplined performance from the fast-improving Lavant youth team.

Next week Lavant play host to Upper Beeding in the second round of the Challenge Cup.

Team: TomCowell, Nico House, Kieron Gilbert, Luke Cotton, Mwenya Chisanga, Ryan Parfoot, Reece Hanson, Jamie White, Jack Brockhurst, Chris Webb, Chris Colwell. Subs: Lewis Finch, Louis Cook-Jones

Saturdays Results

Malcolm Simmonds Memorial Cup: Second round:
Petworth 2, Hunston CC 4
University of Chichester 0, Cowfold 1
Watersfield 5, Southwater 2
West Chiltington 0, Upper Beeding 1.

Bareham Trophy: First round:
Selsey FC A 5, Tangmere 4 on penalties.

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 0, Newtown Villa II 4
Holbrook FC 6, Faygate Utd 2
Lavant 4, Capel 0.

Division 3 South:
Angmering II 4, Harting 2
Predators 2, The Sportsman 1
Square Deal FC 2, Lavant Res 2.

Lavant 4 Capel 0

Fears amongst the management staff that a three week lay off would adversely affect Lavant’s performance seemed justified as the homeside were held to a goalless score for over an hour.

Lavant dominated the first 20 minutes, forcing five excellent saves from Capel ‘keeper, Nick Figgins. Then the Chichester side were too spread out end to end, allowing Capel to play in the gaps and creep back into the game.

An England-Montenegro scenario looked on the cards. Two factors changed the stalemate. James Brooks appearance at half-time alongside Tom Parker in deep midfield allowed them and Dave Knight to dominate the midfield and the visitors goal had to endure a series of attacks from a rejuvenated Lavant.

Figgins again denied the homeside and when Duncan Terry hit the net, he was adjudged offside. But the veteran forward broke the deadlock 3 minutes later as his 66 minute goal opened the floodgates.

A seven man passing sequence ended with Ryan Seacombe side-footing home on 80 minutes. Another six man passing thriller 2 minutes later saw Terry’s effort headed off the line by Joe Bellen, only for Brooks to put the game beyond the visitors.

Parker put Knight through only for him to be denied by the ubiquitous Figgins. This time Terry banged home the rebound on 92 minutes.

Lavant: A.Rochester, C.Coe, T.Sheppard, D.Kennard, K.Fogden, T.Parker, D.Knight, B.Evans, A.Sheppard, D.Terry, R.Seacombe. Subs J.Brooks, M.Carver, S.Eastwood.

Square Deal 2 Lavant Reserves 2

League positions suggested that Square Deal were the underdogs in this weeks Division III bruising encounter, but straight from the off they set out their stall by pushing up and playing a high line and relying on the linesman’s eagle eye, whilst adopting an attacking route one approach to the game.

The visitors struggled to cope with the long ball game and if it were not for the in form keeper Martin Pullen, Lavant could have easily been a couple of goals down in the first quarter of the match.

On 20 minutes Lavant’s nerves were settled as striker Robbie Pinder brought the ball under control and fed the impressive Dan Cowell on the left who ran down the flank before pulling the ball to Pinder on the edge of the box, who volleyed the ball home, to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Five minutes later Square Deal were level following some slack marking from Lavant’s defence from a corner allowing the homeside to head in the equalizer, 1-1.

With the scores now level, both teams were a little to enthusiastically seeking to take control, as the game threatened to boil over.  But good sense and a stern words to both captains by the ref Keith Brisley bought the game back into line.

A roasting at half time by manager Cliff Massey didn’t bring the best out of the Lavant players after the interval as they found themselves 2-1 down following a well worked goal from Square Deal, as their striker beat Pullen from close range to the score from neat set piece play.

Lavant were now trailing for the first time this season and a tactical substitution saw the visitors put together their best spell of the game, forcing the Square Deals keeper to pull off a number of fine saves to deny efforts from Dave Mclean, Shay Wiggins and Pinder.

Then with 10 minutes to go Lavant’s best player of the day Simon Green latched on to a Cowell cross to rifle home their deserved equaliser, 2-2.  For the remaining minutes of the game Lavant desperately pressed for the winner, with both Pete Cairns and Shawn Massey going close.

But at the final whistle Lavant had to settle for a point.  Assistant manager Mel Milburn summed it up “It took us 60 minutes to adapt to their long ball game and then in the end poor finishing robbed us of all three points.”

Lavant: M.Pullen, S.Green, M.Ayers, J.Wright, P.Cairns, S.Wiggins, M.Hine, S.Massey, D.Cowell, D.Payne, R.Pinder. Subs A.Yaxley, D.Maclean, M.Milburn.

Sundays Results

Division 2:
Lamb Steyne 4, Wheatsheaf II 2
Lavant Sundays 6, The Railway 3
Queens Park South 3, Six Villages Utd 0
Univeristy of Chichester 1, Southbourne 1.

Under 18:
Sussex Youth Cup: Second round:
Hailsham Town 1, Horsham Yth 4
East Preston Yth 0, Broadbridge Heath U18s 2
Maidenbower Colts 0, Whitehawk Yth 7
Lewes Yth 6, Eastbourne Borough U16s 2
Crowborough Ath Yth 0, Burgess Hill Town 6
Sedlescombe Rangers Yth 3, Peacehaven & Telscombe Yth 3(AET+Pens 4-3)
Pagham Yth 8, Crawley Down Yth 3
Upper Beeding Yth 1, Lavant Yth 2
Oakwood Yth 7, Jarvis Brook Jnrs 1
Worthing Yth 3, Sidley Utd Yth 0
Hassocks Yth U18s 4, Eastbourne Utd Assoc 1
Westfield Yth 1, Seaford Town Yth 3
Rustington Otters Yth 2, Worthing Utd Yth 7
Shoreham Yth 2, Chichester City U18s 3
Eastbourne Town U18s 3, Lancing U18s 5.

League Division B:
Broadbridge Heath 6, Worthing Rebels Yth 0
Predators Yth 1, Southwater 4
Worthing Town Yth 1, Worthing Minors Ath 4.

Lavant Youth march on into the last Sixteen of the Sussex Youth Cup

Upper Beeding U18 1 Lavant Youth 2

Lavant Youth travelled to Upper Beeding with a place in the last 16 of the Sussex County Cup at stake.

The home side dominated the early exchanges without troubling Tom Cowell in the Lavant goal. Neither side created any real chances until the half hour mark when, from a long throw, Dean Wingham headed Beeding in front.

The goal rocked Lavant and, but for a superb save from Cowell, and a glaring miss by a Beeding forward the game might have been over after 35 minutes.

Something had to change, and ten minutes before half time Lavant introduced Jamie White to the fray. His presence had an immediate effect on the game and Lavant finally got going, finishing the half the stronger team.

One nil down at half time, Lavant put Lewis Finch on and released Reece Hanson into midfield. Five minutes into the second half Lavant deservedly drew level. A Kieron Gilbert free kick found Charlie Ransom who headed against the upright. Following up, Lewis Finch hit the same post before poking in the rebound for the equaliser.

The goal galvanized Lavant and they now took the game to Upper Beeding. The pace of Charlie Ransom on the right flank and Ryan Parfoot on the left proved to be a constant threat to the Beeding backline.

On the hour mark Lavant took the lead when a superb Jamie White through ball picked out the run of top scorer, Chris Colwell. Taking the ball in his stride, he casually chipped the ball over the head of the onrushing keeper to give Lavant the upper hand.

The final few minutes saw Beeding push forward in search of an equalizer, but the Lavant back four stood firm. This was Lavant’s stiffest test of the season so far, and they came through with flying colours.

A thoroughly enjoyable contest between two well-disciplined teams.  Lavant will host Sussex County Youth side Pagham in the next round of the cup to be played at Raughmere Park on Sunday the 28th November.

Team: Tom Cowell, Nico House, Kieron Gilbert, Luke Cotton, Reece Hanson, Charlie Ransom, Louis Cook-Jones (sub, Lewis Finch) Callum Young (sub, Jamie White) Ryan Parfoot, Chris Colwell, Chris Webb.  Subs: Not used: Kevin Derry, Jack Brockhurst, Menya Chisanga.

Saturdays Results

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 0, Capel 2
Barnham Res 6, Stedham Utd 3
Holbrook FC 4, Newtown Villa Res 1
Petworth v Faygate Utd

Division 2 South:
Angmering Res 3, Predators 1
Lavant Res 4, Harting 1
Tangmere 4, Square Deal FC 3

Sussex Intermediate Cup – Rnd 2
Chichester City Utd Res 0, Billingshurst 2
Cowfold 2, East Preston Res 0
East Dean 2, Selsey Res 1
East Grinstead Utd 1, Hunston CC 3
Newtown Villa v Lancing Utd
Pease Pottage 1, Upper Beeding 2
Rustington Res 0, Watersfield 2

Division Three Charity Cup – Rnd 1
Selsey FC ‘A’ 5, Holbrook FC Res 3
The Ship 4, The Sportsman 0

Bareham Trophy – Rnd 1
Milland 4, Vapours FC 2
Rustington Park Seniors 2, Regis Veterans 3

Lavant Reserves 4 Harting 1

Lavant hosted local rivals Harting in the league this week in a match which for the homeside was certainly “a game of two halfs”.

Lavant attacked the visitors goals straight from kick-off and within 3 minutes James Brooks had put the homeside one up, as his shot from well outside the box looped over the stranded keeper into the back of the net, 1-0.

Minutes later Ross Lines headed home a second for Lavant only for the goal to be ruled out by referee Andy Hide.  This would only a temporary reprive for Harting as Shay Wiggins scored on 12 minutes tapping in from close range following a Lavant corner and an anxious goalmouth scramble, 2-0.

Lavant continued to press forward at every opportunity and following Matt Hine’s free kick hitting the bar, plus Dan Cowell and Lines both heading against the post, the continued pressure eventually told on the visitors.

With 25 minutes gone a mistake by the Harting’s keeper was severely punished, as he dropped a low level shot only for Lines to grab the ball, round the keeper and walk the ball into the empty net, 3-0.

Lavant’s tempo was then suddenly halted, as Rhys Watling’s tumble from a seemly innocuous tackle ended with the game being stopped and the emergency services being called as it was feared he had broken his collar-bone.

After a 20 minute break, the game was resumed and the remaining 12 minutes of the half were played out, as Harting failed to capitalize on a penalty award as the spot kick crashed against the post and away to safety and at the other end of the pitch unselfish play by substitute Shaun Massey squaring the ball to Cowell inside the box allowed him to score a relatively simple goal and Lavant’s fourth of the match, 4-0.

The second half however was very much a different story for the homeside who seemed to lose their rhythm following Watling’s injury, wholesale changes to the team and to their credit Harting’s renewed determination to get something out of the game.

The end result saw Lavant fail to capitalize on any of their second half chances.  They did however have another goal cancelled out for a very contentious late offside decision made by the referee, but it was Harting that won the second half skirmish, as they headed in from a corner giving them a late consolation goal with 10 minutes remaining, 4-1.

After the final whistle manager’s Cliff Massey and Mel Milburn and their player’s stayed behind to mull over their disappointing second half performance. Disappointment after a victory seems odd but this is a reflection of how the Reserve team have improved and how they are now setting their own high standards this season.

Later on, Lavant were given some good news, as it turned out that Rhys Watling’s injury although bad was not as serious as first feared and with a bit of luck it is hoped he will return from injury in about six weeks time.

Lavant: M.Pullen, S.Green, M.Ayers, J.Wright, K.Fogden, S.Wiggins, M.Hine, J.Brooks, D.Cowell, R.Lines, R.Watling. Subs D.Maclean, S.Massey, P.Cairns.

Sundays Results

Shuker Memorial Trophy:
Wheatsheaf II 1, University of Chichester 4.

Division 2:
Six Villages Utd 3, Lamb Steyne 7.

Under 18:
Challenge Cup:
Worthing Town Yth 1, Southwater FC 5.

League Division B:
Rustington Otters Yth 2, Predators Yth 1
Worthing Rebels Yth 2, Worthing Utd Yth 7.

Saturdays Results

Sussex Junior Cup: First round:
Forest 0, Chailey 6
Portslade Ath II 1, Billingshurst 2
Saltdean Sharks 3, PHS Utd 4
Sporting Devils 0, BSM08 7
Goring CC 1, Ticehurst 4
Hunston Community 1, Orington 5
Icklesham Casuals 13, Roffey 2
The Ship 6, Polegate Town II 7
Wadhurst Utd II 4, Horsham Trinity 8
West Hill Utd 1, Holbrook 6
Wisdom Sports 2, Mayfield 0
Icklesham Casuals 13, Roffey III 2
Fittleworth 5, East Court 2
Framfield & Blackboys Utd 1, Diverse Cultures 2
Lindfield IV 2, Rustington Park Snrs 1
Furnace Green Galaxy II v Partridge Green postponed
Phoenix Utd II 1, The Sportsman 0
Hurstpierpoint II 1, The Plough Ifield 2
Buxted III v Horsham Baptists postponed
Forest Res 0, Chailey 6
Lavant II 5, AFC Roffey 2
Horsham Crusaders 4, Milland 0
Newtown Villa III 10, Southwater II 2
Selsey FC A 3, Upper Beeding II 2.

Centenary Cup: First round:
Newtown Villa 6, East Dean 1.

Bareham Trophy: First round:
Harting 3, Fernhurst II 2
Lodsworth II 0, Rogate 08 7
Square Deal FC 0, Chapel 3
Wittering Utd II 5, Ambassadors 2
Yapton II 4, Predators III 3.

Division 1:
Capel 0, Holbrook FC 2
Faygate Utd 0, Barnham II 2
Stedham Utd 0, Hunston CC 5
Watersfield 4, Ashington Rovers 1.

Lavant Reserves 5 AFC Roffey 2
Sussex Junior Cup

A.F.C Roffey left Raughmere Park empty handed Saturday exiting the Sussex Junior Cup, as Lavant Reserves ran out convincing 5-2 winners.

With the homeside starting as the underdogs against the established Division II side, this was going to be a real challenge for the new look Reserves to see if their good start to the season would stand up to a much stiffer test.

Lavant therefore started the game entrenched in their own half content initially to sit back and defend, patiently waiting to see what the visitors had to offer.  The game was however still played at a quick tempo and after a cautious start Lavant finally started to press forward.

The homeside were soon rewarded for their much more attacking play as for the second week running Dan Cowell opened the scoring, after tapping home from close range after the ball had hit the post twice before kindly dropping to his path, 1-0.

Roffey had no plans to lose this game and right from the restart they piled on the pressure as they chased the equalizer, constantly challenging the homeside’s defence, which held fast with Simon Green pressing and breaking down the Roffey attacks at every opportunity.

Lavant then ensured they took the upper hand going into half time as James Brooks ran with the ball into the 18 yard box and unleashed an unstoppable shot straight past the stranded keeper into the top corner, 2-0.

The second half saw manager Cliff Massey make some early changes bringing on fresh legs and this tactic soon paid off as Lavant further extended their lead with Brooks scoring his second of the game with a fine 30 yard free kick, following a foul on fellow midfielder Matt Hine.

Three nil down and the cup tie should have been over for the visitors, but the Div II side never gave up chasing the game and their determination was rewarded with a quick brace of goals, which suddenly put the cup tie back in the balance as the visitors capitalised on Lavant’s crazy five minutes of lack of concentration.

With the watching crowd urging the homeside to raise their game once more, Lavant suddenly went up a gear. They defended steadfastly as well as proving devastating on the counter attack, as they played some lovely one touch football cutting through the visitors defence, which eventually ended up with Cowell grabbing his second of the game and restoring Lavant’s two goal lead.

The final ten minutes was end to end stuff as Roffey tried to get back into the cup tie once more, but also Lavant now playing some lovely one touch flowing football, looked to further increase their lead.

With seconds remaining Lavant capped of a resounding performance with a fifth goal when Rhys Watling swerved passed his man on the right hand side and shot from the edge off the box, from a near impossible angle, scoring the goal of the game and sealing Roffey’s cup exit, 5-2.

Man of the match James Brooks said “This is a fantastic team to play in and everyone is creating chances for each other”.

Lavant: A.Houghton, S.Green, M.Ayers, J.Wright, D.Ranjbar, D.Maclean, M.Hine, J.Brooks, D.Cowell, R.Lines, L.Weller. Subs K.Fogden, R.Watling, S.Wiggins.

Graffham 1 Lavant Reserves 8

Lavant’s leading scorer Ross Lines made a major contribution towards helping the Reserves book their place into the next round of the Bareham Trophy with an impressive 4 goal haul against an inform Graffham.

This will be your toughest game to date and don’t underestimate your opposition, was the team talk before the game by manager Cliff Massey. And on that note, taking on board their managers warning Lavant embarked on their cup encounter in a very workman like manner and within 10 minutes were rewarded as Matt Hine’s 40 yard cross field pass picked out winger Dan Cowell, who coolly slotted it home, 0-1.

This was followed 15 minutes later with Lines getting on the score sheet for the first time, as his corner was lofted deep into the crowded box and over the stranded keeper into the back of the net, 0-2.

Minutes later some neat football by James Brooks took him into the 6 yard box where he was eventually upended, as the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot.

Brooks dusted himself off and stepped up to take the penalty, neatly chipping the keeper, to put Lavant 3 nil up within the half hour. With 5 minute of the half remaining Lavant then scored the goal of the game, with a passing move starting from defence though to attack resulting with Dave Mclean crossing the ball and Lines volleying in from the edge of the box, 0-4.

The second half saw the homeside make a real concerted effort to get something out of this cup game, as they pushed forward at every opportunity, but with Lavant keeper Martin Pullen in fine form all their efforts came to nothing. Lavant further increased their lead after Graffham conceded a free kick 35 yards to the right of their goal and Hine stepped up and struck a delightful free-kick into the far left hand corner of the goal, 0-5.

Graffham did eventually get on the score sheet, but in controversial manner as their player clearly received the ball in an offside position, but with the referee waving play this allowing the striker to virtually go on and score unopposed, 1-5.

This decision somewhat angered the visitors as they increased the pressure right from the restart as Maclean and Lines added 2 more goals in quick succession, effectively killing off the cup tie, 1-8.

Man of the match Ross Lines summoned up the game by saying “All goals were a team effort made up of good link ups and unselfish passing. We created many chances against a team in very good form.”

Lavant: M.Pullen, S.Green, M.Ayers, J.Wright, D.Ranjbar, D.Maclean, J.Brooks, M.Hine, D.Cowell, R.Lines, L.Weller. Subs A.Sheppard, T.Sheppard, K.Fogden.

Sundays Results

Under 18: Challenge Cup: First round:
Rustington Otters Yth 1, Upper Beeding 11
Felpham Colts , Worthing Minors Ath
Felpham Colts Yth 0, Lavant 7
Billingshurst 4, Broadbridge Heath 1
Barnham Trojans 2, Worthing Rebels Yth 4
Bosham Yth 0, Avisford Yth 1
Predators Yth 2, Worthing Utd Yth 3.

Shuker Memorial Trophy:
Lavant Sundays 3, Aldingbourne 1
Six Villages Utd 1, Southbourne 3. Division 2:
Queens Park South 1, University of Chichester 2.

Saturdays Results

Bareham Trophy: First round:
Graffham 1, Lavant II 8;
Watersfield II 0, The Ship 2.

Division Three Charity Cup:
First round: Henfield II 2, Pulborough II 0.

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 0, Faygate Utd 4
Barnham II 2, Watersfield 7
Hunston CC 10, Petworth 1.

Division 3 South:
Predators v Square Deal FC late kick-off.