Below is a message from Mike on the Forum.

Since the summer our ex first team captain has got married (found out by reading that in the Observer) and he and his wife set off from Portsmouth by boat as they embarked on their year long cylce journey around the world.

Around the World in 365 Days

Mike is obviously stopping at the odd internet cafe on the way to check up on his beloved football team. So lets keep in touch with him on his journey, by replying to his posts on the forum. This is a great way to get the forum up and running again.  The Youth team are certainly using it to their advantage. Either click on the link below or click on the forum page to get to Mike’s post and please take some time to make a reply. I am sure he will be back to you when he reaches a Russian Internet Cafe.

Lavant Overseas Supporters Club

by KingHarryNoMore » Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:40 pm Dear all Lavant FC members. I write from Switzerland where I have been following your progress. I left Chichester 2 weeks ago on my bicycle and have now reached Bern (the capital), some 800 miles from our hallowed turf of Lavant Green. Cycling has been good, The Alps were a bit of an arse but otherwise, happy days. Pre season looks good and some tough fixtures show promising results. When I next log in I would like to read of a few points on the board. Best wishes to Dave P and Dave K and the rest of the staff. To all players, “keep it YELLOW” or something like that.

Love from your number one overseas supporter.

Predators U18 1 Lavant Youth 12

Lavant Youth U18
Back row: Ryan Parfoot, Chris Webb, Louis Cook-Jones, Kieron Gilbert, Charlie Ransom, Reece Hanson, Callum Young, Luke Cotton, Lewis Finch.
Front row: Chris Colwell, Nico House, Jack Brockhurst, Tom Cowell, Mwenya Chisanga, Jack Eydmann.

Lavant Youth kicked started their Division B League campaign away to Predators at Bognors Hampshire Avenue.

Proudly wearing their new kit sponsored by Bleach’s of Lavant the Youth team went about the match in a very workman like manner playing some lovely one touch football and ensuring they were 7-1 up by half time.

Manager’s Karl Gaffney and Rick McKenna with such a strong squad was able to make all three substitutions at half time, as Lavant went on to score another 5 goals before the final whistle. Goal scores were Chris Colwell x4, Chris Webb x3, Charlie Ransom x2, Reece Hanson, Mwenya Chisanga and Jack Brockhurst.

Chris Colwell
x4 goals

Chris Webb
x3 goals

 
Charlie Ransom
x 2 goals

 
Jack Brockhurst

 
Reece Hanson

 
Mwenya Chisanga

Sunday’s Results

Division 2:
Lavant 1 Southborne 0
Aldingbourne 2, Lamb Steyne 3
The Railway 3, Queens Park South 2
Wheatsheaf II 0, Six Villages Utd 6.

Under 18:
Division A:
Avisford Yth 1, Bosham Yth 4
Felpham Colts 6, Billingshurst 2
Upper Beeding 11, Felpham Colts Yth 0.
Division B: 
Predators Yth 1, Lavant 12
Rustington Otters Yth 1, Broadbridge Heath 4
Southwater FC 2, Worthing Utd Yth 4
Worthing Minors Ath 7, Worthing Town Yth 1.

Satursday’s Results

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 0, Petworth 2
Newtown Villa Reserves 2, Lavant 3

Division 3 South:
Lavant Reserves 7, Sportsman FC 0
Predators 1, Harting 0
Tangmere 3, Selsey A 1

Newtown Villa Reserves 2 Lavant 3

Sam Cole’s hat-trick secured Lavant three points in their visit to Newtown Villa at Jubilee Fields. But this was a team effort from start to finish.

Lavant started brightly at high tempo and dominated the first half. So it was much against the run of play when Ashley Pugh put Villa ahead from a corner on 31 minutes.

But three minutes later Tom Parker and Cole combined on the right to engineer Cole a shooting chance and the 21 year old fired home from a narrow angle to level the score.

The visitors were slow to settle after the interval but Cole volleyed them into the lead from Ryan Seacombe’s cross 16 minutes into the second half.

Newtown never gave up and were rewarded when Lavant lapsed in concentration to let Ricky Kelly in, to draw the homeside level on 71 minutes.

But fresh legs in substitutes Alan & Tom Sheppard and Stuart Loversidge switched the balance back in favour of the Chichester side. When Loversidge was chopped down on the left, Cole headed home the resulting free kick to complete his hat-trick with 9 minutes left on the clock.

Newtown: Belcher, Jays, Glasspool, Vango, Dallaway, Jones, Evans, Kelly, Reid, Pugh, Parkinson, Dennery, Kerley.

Lavant: A.Rochester, G.Ockwell, M.Carver, D.Kennard, C.Coe, T.Parker, D.Knight, M.Stephens, B.Evans, S.Cole, R.Seacombe. Subs A.Sheppard, T.Sheppard, S.Loversidge.

Lavant Reserves 7 The Sportsman 0

The crowd at Raughmere Park were well rewarded for showing up Saturday as they were treated to a goal feast, as manager Cliff Massey recent returning home from sunnier climates inspired his team to a seven goal thriller.

Lavant opened the scoring in the first minute with a cool finish by Ross Lines, 1-0. Then instead of the homeside going on a goal rampage the early goal seemed to have the reverse effect on the team as poor passing and very little team work followed.

However with a lot of encouragement from the sidelines Lavant finally got their act together and on the half hour they increased their lead with Louis Weller finding the back of the net, 2-0.

At half time, even with the homeside two nil up, a stern talking to followed, as well as a couple of substitutions and this had the desired effect as Lavant started the second half more positively, passing the ball quickly and taking control of the game.

As a result Lavant were soon 4-0 nil up after Dan Cowl and Jason Houghton both scored headers on each occasion where supplied by top draw crosses from Dan Ranjbar on the right hand flank.

Lavant now in completed control of the game were pressing on two fronts, firstly to score more goals and secondly for a third consecutive game to keep a clean sheet.

The defence held the line giving the visitors very little chance to test Martin Pullen in the Lavant goal, whilst Lavant continued to pile on the pressure up front, creating numerous chances to score. New signing Rhys Watling right from his introduction into the game caused havoc up front, eventually scoring on his debut with a well taken goal, but in the end quite unlucky not to come away with a hat trick, 5-0.

Not to be out done Louis Weller did claim his hat trick snatching two more goals after good link up play with Watling, 7-0.  A Louis Weller hat-trick, seven goals, a clean sheet and defender Jon Wright named as man of the match.

Cliff Massey is looking forward to coming home after his next holiday.

Lavant: M.Pullen, P.Cairns, M.Ayers, J.Wright, D.Ranjbar, D.Maclean, S.Massey, S.Wiggins, J.Houghton, R.Lines, L.Weller. Subs S.Green, R.Watling, D.Cowell.

Faygate U18’s 1 Lavant Youth 4

Finally this weekend Lavant Youth’s season got underway with a long trip away to play Faygate U18’s in the Sussex Youth Cup.

Lavants team consited of Tom Cowell in goal, Mwenya Chrisanga, Kieron Gilbert, Luke Cotton, Lewis Finch, Ryan Parfoot, Louis Cook-Jones, Reece Hanson, Jamie White, Chris Webb, Chris Colwell, Charlie Ransom, Callum Young and Jack Brockhurst.

The first half saw the homeside take an unexpected lead early on, before Lavant drew level going into half time.

Then the second half saw Lavant take control of the game and score three goals to end up clear winners 1-4 at the final whistle. Goal scorers were Chris Colwell with 2, Charlie Ransom and Callum Young.

Next week Lavant Youth are away to Predators Youth.

Sunday’s Results

Division 2:
Aldingbourne 0, Southbourne 4
Lavant Sunday’s 3, Wheatsheaf II 0.

Sussex Youth Cup: First round: (under 18):
Rustington U18 2, Mile Oak Yth 1
Forest Yth 2, Eastbourne Utd Association 2(AET+Pens 1-4)
Crowborough Ath U18 1, Whitehawk Yth 4
Lancing U18 3, Little Common Yth 1
Rustington Otters Yth 5, Predators Yth 1
Hastings Utd U18 2, Chichester City U18 2(AET+Pens 2-3)
Hassocks Yth U18 3, Storrington Yth 0
Sedlescombe Rangers Yth 6, Southwick Yth 4
Eastbourne Borough U18 16, Worthing Minors Ath 1
Haywards Heath Town Yth 7, Sidley Utd Yth 8(AET)
Three Bridges Yth 2, Lewes Yth 2(AET+Pens 2-4)
Bosham Yth 0, Jarvis Brook Jnrs 0(AET+Pens 6-7)
Worthing Utd Yth 3, Wild Park Rangers 0
Marle Place Wanderers 0, Shoreham Yth 10
Eastbourne Town Yth 0, Westfield Yth 4
Faygate Utd 1, Lavant Yth 4
Sidlesham Yth 0, Peacehaven & Telscombe Yth 2
Oakwood Yth 6, St Francis Rangers U18 1 Divison B:
Broadbride Heath U18 6, Southwater 2

Satursday’s Results

Sussex Intermediate Cup: First round:
Hassocks Res 3, Oakwood Res 0
AFC Uckfield Res 3, Willingdon Ath 4
Barnham 9, Ampito 0
Broadbridge Heath 0, East Grinstead Utd 1
Crawley Down Res 6, Wick Res 0
Eastbourne Town Res 2, Turners Hill 0
Holbrook 0, Forest 2
Hospital Social 1,East Preston Res 2
Hunston Community Club 3, Sidlesham 2
Ifield Edwards 1, Newtown Villa 2
Lewes Bridgeview 0, Pagham Res 3
Littlehampton Town Res 3, Falmer Falcons 2
Loxwood Res 0, Chichester City Res 5
Mile Oak Res 2, Furnace Green Galaxy 1
Peacehaven & Telscombe Res 5, St Francis Rangers Res 0
Peche Hill Select 0, Hurstpierpoint 5
Ringmer Res 4, Billingshurst 5
Saltdean Utd 5, Lancing Res 2
Selsey Res 2, American Express 1
Southwater 0, Bosham 3,
Southwater Res 2, Lancing Utd 5 (aet)
TD Shipley 15, Bexhill Utd Res 0
Uckfield Town 2, Eastbourne Borough Res 3
Wadhurst Utd 5, Shoreham Res 0
Westfield Res 2, Ferring 1
AFC Stanley 3, Hooe Sports 1
Ovingdean 2, O&G Utd 3
Buxted 5, Clymping II 1
Lavant 2, Whitehawk 4
Petworth 3, Upper Beeding 5.

Division 1:
Ashington Rovers 0, Stedham Utd 4
Capel 0, Faygate Utd 2
Newtown Villa II 0, Barnham II 1.

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

Lavant 2 Whitehawk Reserves 4
Sussex intermediate Cup

A slow unfocused start by Lavant cost them dear. Two individual errors compounded this to let David Herbert (9mins) and Alex Staines (17mins) give the homeside a mountain to climb early on.

Despite Tope Ajaba-Agbo adding a third before the half-hour, Lavant had fought back and only great goalkeeping from Jack Adams kept the visitors a clean sheet.

When striker Ryan Seacombe was chopped down in the box, it looked as if Lavant would pull one back. But Adams again saved Ben Evans spot kick on 32 minutes.

Seacombe did score on 41 minutes, but just before half-time Gavin Jack touched home a goalmouth scramble to virtually seal the game 4-1 at the break.

But Lavant returned a different side in the second half. They were stronger at the back and did not concede a goal. In midfield, Matt Stevens earned his man-of-the-match as Lavant deservedly pulled one back through David Knight on 56 minutes.

The Chichester side were denied a penalty when Seacombe again was brought down in the area. Manager, David Parker, commented “The form book said we’d lose this game but if we’d started alertly, we could have won it! We have several new players and the challenge is to maintain morale until we gel together”.

Lavant visit Newtown Villa in the league next Saturday.

Lavant: M.Pullen, G.Ockwell, T.Sheppard, D.Kennard, C.Coe, M.Stevens, D.Knight, B.Evans, A.Sheppard, R.Seacombe, S.Loversidge.  Subs T.Parker, S.Cole, M.Carver.

Rustington Park Seniors 0 Lavant Reserves 4

With manager Cliff Massey on foreign soil topping up his tan, this weekend saw assistant manager Mel Milburn take the reigns and with a little tinkering of the team, Lavant were ready for their first away fixture of the season.

With only 15 minutes gone Lavant were awarded a corner and Matt Hine floated in a perfect ball to Lavant’s top scorer Shay Wiggins who leapt into the air and nodded the ball across the goal to the far side and in off the cross bar, 0-1.

The early goal brought Rustington alive and stand-in goalkeeper Robbie Pinder was called into action several times in order to maintain the visitor’s slender lead.  However with the Lavant centre midfield duo of James Brooks and Shaun Massey continually winning the ball in midfield and distributing it around the park with ease, Lavant once more took control of the game.

With ten minutes remaining until half time, a long throw from Lavant captain Peter Cairns into the box was headed on by Massey outfield to the feet of incoming right back Dan Ranjbar who didn’t disappoint as he put the visitors two nil up with a lovely 20 yard strike, 0-2.

Straight from the restart Lavant remained focused playing controlled and disciplined football, ensuring they maintained their two nil lead on the half time whistle.   The start of the second half saw a couple of early efforts on goal by striker Ross Lines, but fine saves from the homeside keeper stopping him getting on the score sheet.

Then on the hour, a Lavant corner was flicked on by Hine to substitute Matt Price and with his back to goal on the 6 yard line he attempted and converted an awesome over head kick, to further increasing Lavant’s lead, 0-3.  It took until the 80 minute before Milburn felt the game was over, when Ross Lines picking up the ball on the edge of the box and with a clever turn of the defender, he slotted home with a cool finish, 0-4.

Shortly after the restart, Rustington had their best chance of the game as they broke through on goal, one on one with the keeper, but rookie keeper Pinder pulled off a fine save to deny the homeside a late conciliation goal.

Lavant man of the match Martin Ayers said after the game, “It was great too get a 4 goal win as well as defensively keeping a clean sheet, plus with a stand in keeper it shows the strength of this solid back four.” Final score 4-0.

Lavant: R.Pinder, P.Cairns, M.Ayers, J.Wright, D.Maclean, D.Ranjbar, J.Brooks, S.Massey, S.Wiggins, M.Hine, R.Lines. Subs S.Green, M.Price, M.Milburn.

Sunday’s Results

Division 2:
Queens Park South 3, Aldingbourne 0
Southbourne 0, Lamb Steyne 3
Uni of Chichester vs Lavant Sundays Cancelled (Away Win)
Wheatsheaf II 3, The Railway 1

Division B:
Lavant Youth vs Broadbridge Heath U18 Cancelled (Away Win)?
Predators Youth U18 0, Worthing Utd U18 1
Rustington Otters U18 vs Worthing Town Utd Cancelled (Home Win)
Southwater FC U18 3, Worthing Rebels U18 5

Satursday’s Results

Division 1:
Barnham II 3, Ashington Rovers 1
Capel 1, Newtown Villa II 1
Hunston CC 3, Holbrook FC 2
Lavant 0, Watersfield 3
Stedham Utd 1, Faygate Utd 2.

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

Lavant 0 Watersfield 3

Duncan Terry attacking on the left flank

Lavant’s pre-season enthusiasm came to an abrupt end after the opening game of the new season as Watersfield convincingly bagged all three points.

The opening quarter saw Lavant press the visitor’s goal, playing some good controlled football, however Watersfield defended their goal staunchly and prove a real handful on the counterattack.

With 18 minutes gone a long clearance saw Watersfield centre forward Luke Talbot head down into the path of right winger Richard Franklin, who just beat keep Martin Pullen to the ball to prod home the opener, 0-1.

Two minutes later Watersfield almost scored a copy book goal but this time Pullen pulled off a great save to deny Franklin.  Watersfield were now on top as Lavant struggled to deal with the long ball game, with Franklin caused havoc every time he was given the ball.

But Pullen in great form pulled of a number of saves to ensure the visitors were unable to increase their slender lead.

Martin Pullen pulling of a great save to deny the Waterfield striker

With minutes remaining of the half Lavant nearly drew level as Ryan Seacombe’s darting run and close rang strike was somehow saved by keeper Steve Dingle.

Lavant’s half time talk about dealing with the long ball game didn’t seem to work as right from the restart Franklin was again through on goal, but Pullen again pulled off another great save to prevent Watersfield further increasing their lead.

With 25 minutes remaining Sam Cole replaced Chris Coe as Lavant reverted to a 4 4 2 formation in an effort to get something out of the game.

Unfortunately with 15 minutes remaining Lavant conceded a silly free-kick just outside the box and the subsequent free-kick was lofted into the area causing havoc, as Pullen pulled off a great close range save but the loose ball was smashed home by Jack Corbett to give Watersfield now a commanding two goal lead, 0-2.

Sam Cole battling for the ball

The last 15 minutes saw Lavant press forward in an attempt to get back into the game and Cole went agonisingly close as his effort ricochet off the left post and across the goal to safety.

With seconds remaining the visitors were awarded a tame penalty which Pete Bailey converted right on full time. The homeside were left disappointed by the result, but with a new look team and formation it may take a few weeks to settle down and get the most out of what on paper is a very promising team.

Lavant: M.Pullen, G.Ockwell, T.Sheppard, D.Kennard, C.Coe, M.Stevens, D.Terry, B.Evans, D.Knight, R.Seacombe, S.Loversidge.  Subs L.Weller, T.Parker, S.Cole.

Lavant Reserves 1 Predators 0

This Saturday’s opening fixture was a real test for the newly promoted Lavant Reserves as they hosted Predators at Raughmere park in front of a good crowd, who had also been watching the earlier first team fixture.

With a few new faces in the starting line up Lavant went about their business right from the start trying to play a passing football as Predators did there best to breakdown down the play.

Martin Ayers first to the ball

As a result the first 20 minutes ended up a bruising encounter, with many niggling free kicks with as the game continually kept stopping and starting.

Eventually however Lavant started to press their game plan, as the new look team started to gel and play some neat attractive football, resulting in a number of great opportunities to take the lead, however these were thawted by the Predators keeper pulling off a number of saves to ensure the score remained goal-less going into half time, 0-0.

The second half inspired by manager Cliff Massey’s team talk saw Lavant take an early lead with a quick fire goal by Shay Wiggins, as Shay rose and headed in from close range from a delightful cross from just outside the box, just minutes after the re-start.

This spurred Lavant on and the team started to play some good attacking football as again they pressed forward in search of another goal. But the visitors keeper again pulled off a number of saves to deny the homeside the opportunity of extending their lead further.

Predators to their credit a man down through injury, produced a late rally which saw them almost grab an equalizer, but thanks to the post, crossbar and a top quality save from rookie keeper Adam Houghton the score remained unchanged as the referee blew the final whistle.

Assistant Manager Mel Milburn said afterwards “with a few new faces playing today they were always going to need time too gel together. But you could see in the second half the lads stood up too the challenge.”

Lavant: A.Houghton, M.Carver, J.Wright, P.Cairns, J.Brooks, S.Wiggins, D.Ranjbar, S.Massey, R.Lines, M.Ayers, D.Maclean. Subs M.Hine, S.Green, R.Pinder.

Lavant Sunday’s player Mark Richardson is getting together a group of Lavant players for the Puma Hell Runner event on Sunday the 28th November with the aim to raise as much money as possible for the
CTH Childrens Hospice.

Here is a message from Mark:

First of all THANK YOU for getting involved in the Puma Hell Runner event to raise money for CTH Childrens Hospice! I’ve set up this group to keep you all up to date with what is happening and when etc. RACE

We have 16 runners entered into the race so far which is fantastic i’m looking to get 15 in total.

1- Gary Richardson
2- Chris Bowles
3- Paul Cooper
4- Oliver Haggar
5- Alan Sheppard
6- Max Huth
7- Kev Fogden
8- Lewis Minnet
9- Alex Pavely
10- Adam Yaxley
11- Chris Withall
12- Stuart Eastwood
13- Mark Richardson
14- Tom Sheppard
15- Richard Clark-Lyons
16- Liam Cooke

TARGET £3000- I know it’s a big target but why not! To enter the race simply click on the Hell Runner page and enter the hell down south race Sunday 28th November. Enter the following information:

Non affiliated it will then ask you for a team name- Lavant Legends.
Time 3:00 Hours
Wave 2
That way we will all start together.

FUNDRAISING
Donation Page www.justgiving.com/lavantfc

Ok so I’m getting sponsor forms from CTH and will hand them out early September to give everyone 2 months to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

I’m setting everyone the target of raising £100 but think you could all do better than that ask everyone friends, family, colleagues, clients etc it all adds up (prize for top fundraiser!).

Secondly I will set up a team Justgiving page so people can donate online and we will have a running total of money raised! I’ve also got a collection day booked outside Sainsbury’s the day before the race sat 27th of November. CTH are giving us banners collection buckets and T-shirts.

I’m trying to get the girls involved in this ideally 4 people all day collecting (4 in the morning 9-13 4 in the afternoon 13-17) and one person in some sort of fancy dress outfit!

Signed up so far-
1- Danielle Jones (all day)
2- Sarah Johnson
3- Jo Coleman
4- Masie Saunders (pm)
5- Rosie Robinson??
6- Kelsey Deans- Fancy Dress Looking for a few more Lovely Ladies let me know if you know anyone.
Also someone for the fancy dress outfit?? VISIT to CTH

I also want some of you guys to see what we are raising money for to hopefully inspire you to raise extra money!!
I’ve got to possible dates Monday 20th September it will be after 2pm I know this is an awkward time but is definately worth it, I maybe able to make it later in the afternoon if that is easier.
Please let me know if you would like to visit CTH and what day/time would be best.

OBSERVER
I’m trying to get the Chichester Observer involved to do a piece on the whole event so will want everyone involved to put on your CTH T-shirt on for a photo.

As most of you are playing sundays next season i will try and get them there on a home game but will give you plenty of notice.

PARTY
After the race I think it would be brilliant to sign off with a celebration meal/ beers maybe all come back get showered then go for a Chinese, Indian, Pizza or pub meal and a quick presentation.
Top Fundraiser.
Quickest Time.
And maybe a few more!

WHAT NOW
That’s it for now all you need to do is let me know what size T-shirt you want and get out there training! 🙂
(girls please remember the collection date is late november so your probably gonna need layers underneath!)

THANK YOU Xxx
I Love You All!!