Petworth 1 Lavant 1 (6-5 penalties after extra time)
Centenary Cup

Petworth progressed with only nine men to the next round of the Centenary Cup after a penalty shoot out.

Lavant Captain Matt Stevens scorer of Lavant’s goal

Lavant deserved their 1-0 lead at half-time. The visitors’ captain Matt Stevens headed the visitors into this lead on 18 minutes from a Matt Hine corner. Ryan Seacombe added a second but was ruled offside.

But Lavant dropped their work-rate in the second half and Petworth increased theirs and so deserved their equaliser when Lavant ‘keeper, Neil Sanson beat out a Dan Warren cross into the path of Rob Levett who volleyed home in the  67 minute.

Then came the first Petworth sending off, when Paul Jefford got his marching orders for swearing at the referee, but the homeside held out until full time despite Lavant pressure.

In the 17 minute of extra-time, Seacombe rounded the Petworth ‘keeper but was pulled down by him.   The ‘keeper got a red card and Petworth were now down to 9 men. Lavant would have preferred the goal.

At the end of extra-time and after 14 penalties, Petworth went through by six penalties to five.

Lavant: N.Sanson, M.Hine, B.Purgavie, M.Lyttle, C.Coe, L.Weller, M.Stevens, J.Brooks, M.Price, R.Seacombe, M.Bartley. Subs: D.Payne, N.Richards

Petworth: Fumagell, Carter, Nadrett, Torode, Well, Pafford, Levett, Warren Jefford. Subs:Kitch.

Lavant Reserves 2 Wittering Utd 3
Sussex Junior Cup

This was the second time within a fortnight these two teams have met as Lavant hosted Wittering at home in the Sussex Junior Cup.

Both teams kicked off the match on a record breaking exceptionally hot afternoon in October, with Lavant starting the game at a frantic pace, pushing forward and testing the Wittering keeper early on.  The early pressure soon paid off as the home side capitalized on winning an early corner, which the Wittering defence failed to clear, as full-back Greg Ockwell quickest to react latched onto the loose ball and scored from distance giving Lavant a one-nil lead, 1-0.

This was only the first game so far this season that Lavant had taken the initial lead in and it really inspired the team as they produced a good spell of football, creating a number of chances to further increase their lead, but with the Wittering keeper pulling off a number saves the scores remained unchanged on the half hour.

Slowly Wittering started to get a foothold into the game and it was now the visitors turn to make most of a corner kick, as Lavant failed to clear their area and a frantic goal mouth scramble ensued with Wittering getting the final touch, prodding the ball across the line, 1-1.

The remainder of the first half was very evenly contested as both sides searched for their next goal and Wittering nearly edged it, if it were not for this time Lavant keeper Craig Seacombe pulling off a number of saves.

The second half started brightly as both teams were determined to get the upper hand early on, but it took another 20 minutes before the deadlock was finally broken with the visitors taking the lead in a somewhat dubious manner.  A long ball over the top saw the towering Wittering striker seemingly control the ball with his arm. Then as Lavant stopped to frantically appealed for hand ball, the ref waved play on, allowing the striker time to calmly score past the stranded keeper, 1-2.

Lavant upset that such critical decision had gone against them they re-started the game with real intention to get back into the match, forging chance after chance but to no avail. That was until with 10 minutes remaining Ross Lines went on a mazy run taking on the entire Wittering defence only to be harshly brought down in the box, with the ref awarding a penalty.  Lines made no mistake as he calmly stepped up and duly dispatched the spot kick levelling the scores at two all, 2-2.

With neither team really fancying extra time they now both went for the winner despite the very hot weather. And it was sadly a mix up between the Lavant defence and keeper under pressure from the Wittering’s front line which provided the winning goal three minutes from time, as the homeside conceded an agonisingly harsh home-goal.

With minutes remaining Lavant gave it all they had left, but the visitors were happy to sit back and see out the final seconds of the game to record another 3-2 win over their local rivals.

Manager’s Cliff Massey and Mel Milburn were disappointed with the result, but very proud with their players. Milburn commented “They had displayed great attitude and fighting spirit throughout ensuring Lavant played their part in a very entertaining game and surely it is now only a matter of time before these fine margins of defeat are reversed and results will go our way in future matches”.

Lavant: C.Seacombe, G.Ockwell, J.Wright, A.Berry, D.Maclean, S.Wiggins, D.Knight, S.Massey, M.Grace, R.Lines, M.Fegus. Subs: M.Milburn.

Vijay has very kindly offered along with Mike Kent to take the odd training session on a Wednesday night at Chichester College over the course of the season.

The idea is to provide the players with a mixture of different training session’s from all of our coaching staff over the course of the season in order to hopefully make training more varied and fun.

Vijay took a number of sessions during pre-season which the players really enjoyed. So let have a good turn-out this Wedensday and don’t be late. It is a 6.30pm start.

Good News!

Dave had been nominated to carry the Olympic Flame with Lloyds TSB and his nomination has now been accepted.

So he is now in with a chance of being a Torchbearer in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Dave’s profile is now available to view online. You can see it athttps://www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/en/carrytheflame/Nomination/?nid=5941dd04-4faa-4b50-ac39-4865f7370584 and from there, share it with others by email, Facebook or twitter.

What Happens Next

By mid-November 2011 Dave will be notified if he has made it to the final stage where he may be shortlisted to be entered into a fair and final draw.

In the meantime, take a look around the site and see who else in your community and around the country has been nominated and share their stories to inspire others to make a nomination of their own. You can also nominate someone else who you believe has made a positive difference to their community. https://www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/en/carrytheflame/

Good Luck!

The Lloyds TSB Olympic Torch Relay Team

Barns Green 0 Lavant 2

After their Cup defeat last Saturday, it was business as usual in the league for Lavant as they travelled to Barns Green and secured three points taking them to second in the table, with a game in hand on current league leaders Faygate Utd.

But in a tight game, it was half an hour before the visitors took the lead, when Mike Bartley headed home a Mike Neville corner.

The Chichester side could have gone 2-0 up, two minutes later when Ryan Seacombe was upended in the box, but he fired the spot kick wide.

Lavant did then extend their lead when a delightful move on the right saw midfielder Matt Stevens run from deep and cross the ball into the box. This time Seacombe met it and made no mistake just before half-time.

The visitors were instructed to close up the game and apart from Adam Rice shooting inches wide for Barns Green, Lavant saw the match out; Bartley managing to force a fine save from Barns Green’s ‘keeper, Jason Dumbrill.

Lavant: N.Sanson, G.Ockwell, B.Purgavie, M.Lyttle, C.Coe, M.Bartley, M.Stevens, J.Brooks, M.Neville, R.Seacombe, S.Cole. Subs: M.Grace.

Selsey A 3 v Lavant Reserves 2

For the last three seasons, both Lavant Reserves and Selsey have gained promotion up the leagues making this a regular local fixture, with Selsey having the most success by far in recent league encounters.

With Selsey’s county ground being the last minute change in venue, the Lavant players unfortunately arrived late, so pre-match preparations were once more hurriedly convened.  Right from kick off a well prepared Selsey team therefore immediately took the upper hand creating a couple of early chances forcing keeper Craig Seacombe into action, as Lavant hurriedly tried to organise themselves.

Lavant then slowly started to come into the game playing their way out of trouble with the midfield linking up well with attack. But with the Selsey’s keeper steadfast in goal, the visitors were unable to forge many real clear cut chances.

On 20 minutes Selsey route one approach paid off as the ball was wellied up field, which Lavant’s defence failed to clear, allowing the homeside’s striker to win the ball and run through and round the out-coming keeper and open the scoring, 1-0.

This immediately gave Selsey a real lift, as they once more put the visitors defence under severe pressure right from the restart and were quickly rewarded with a second goal, as a neat through ball allowed the Selsey striker to out paced the Lavant centre back and coolly slotted the ball home, giving the homeside a two goal lead going into half time.

During the break, manager Cliff Massey focus was on getting the players to start believing in themselves and then chances that would come, as they really didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down.

Right from the re-start Selsey had other ideas as they continued to dominate with their confidence high, but the now the Lavant rearguard upped their game and for a brief spell the score remained unchanged.

Lavant began to forge more clear chances, as the whole team pressed forward in search of a goal.  But as a result they also left themselves exposed at the back and once more a Selsey counterattack paid dividends, as somewhat against the run of play Selsey further increased their lead to 3-0.

Lavant made changes bringing on David Payne into midfield and pushing Louis Weller up front, which immediately paid dividends as Weller scored to reduce the deficit, 3-1.

This goal seemed to give Lavant a real belief and further chances were created with Mark Fegus going close and full-back Alex Berry forcing the Selsey keeper to pull off the save of the game, somehow flipping the ball over for a corner.

With 15 minutes remaining it was now all Lavant and goal number two came as Fegus took on the Selsey back four before scoring a fine individual goal, 3-2.

Selsey were now being punished for taking their foot of the gas and it proved to be a nervy final 10 minutes for the homeside, as Lavant were camped out in the Selsey half, as they tried desperately to grab an equaliser.

But as in the previous week Lavant’s opponents held out to the end bagging all three precious league points. Leaving the visitors to reflect on their last two games against possibly the two front runners for the league title, in which it took the side to go three-nil down before they started the fight back, something the management team of Cliff Massey and Mel Milburn need to work on for future matches.

Lavant: C.Seacombe, N.Richrds, M.Ayers, G.Pinder, A.Berry, D.Maclean, S.Wiggins, S.Massey, L.Weller, M.Fegus, J.Green. Subs: D.Payne.

Saturday League Results

Division ONE
Barnham Reserves 3-1 Cowfold Reserves
Barns Green 3-1 Yapton
Faygate Utd 3-1 Petworth

Division TWO SOUTH
Fernhurst 3-2 Predators
Lodsworth 2-0 Barnham 3rd
Selsey FC ‘A’ 4-2 Boxgrove
Stedham Utd 1-4 Fittleworth
Wittering Utd 3-2 Lavant Reserves

Lavant 4 Old Town Athletic 5
Sussex Intermediate Cup

This Sussex Intermediate Cup game turned into a real thriller as Lavant entertained their premiership rivals from Eastbourne at Raughmere Park.

The homeside started confidently with Ryan Seacombe turning a Stuart Loversidge cross into the net to give Lavant the lead on 4 minutes.

The visitors ‘keeper, Liam Morris, denied Seacombe a second, minutes later and then Matt Stevens fired over the bar.

The turning point came from a free-kick inside the “D” when Shane Norvell equalised for Athletic. It then turned into an end to end free for all.

Seacombe restored Lavant’s lead on 27 minutes, only for Sean Feeney to take it away again with a 33 minute goal.

Lavant’s Price then had a goal disallowed. A brilliant individual goal by Loversidge 4 minutes later put the homeside ahead only for it to be levelled by Olly Mayhew 5 minutes from half-time.

Mike Bartley scorer of Lavant’s 4th goal

The second half continued in the same vane. Mike Bartley again put Lavant ahead on 53 minutes but Norvell equalised 11 minutes later. Bartley forced a fingertip save from Morris whilst at the other end, Ben Saber put Athletic in front for the first time on 90 minutes.

David Payne ended a delightful Lavant move but found the post denied the homeside their equaliser 3 minutes into stoppage time and Athletic progressed to the next round.

Lavant: S.Eastwood, C.Coe, B.Purgavie, M.Lyttle, M.Hine, M.Price, M.Bartley, M.Stevens, M.Neville, S.Loversidge, R.Seacombe. Subs: L.Weller, D.Payne.

This Wednesday 14th September training will transfer to the All Weather Pitch at Chichester College from 6.30 to 8.00pm.

This season we are hiring one third of the pitch.  The pitch nearest the main college entrance.

Please support the training session each week as it is our only opportunity to get all the players from from the club together for a weekly practice session.

This season we will also mix up the training with Vijay, Mike Kent and Dave Parker taking individual sessions.

Training will remain at the college every Wednesday evening until the end of March after which we will revert back to Lavant village green.

Saturday League Results

Division ONE
Cowfold Res 3-2 Petworth
Faygate Utd 2-2 Lavant
Hunston CC Res 2-1 Barns Green
Newtown Villa 2nd v Barnham 2nd
Southwater 1-2 Holbrook FC

Division TWO SOUTH
Fittleworth 5-1 Fernhurst
Predators 2-2 Lodsworth
Selsey FC ‘A’ 3-2 Wittering Utd
Stedham Utd 0-2 Boxgrove

Faygate 2 Lavant 2

With six first team players absent or injured from the side that won last week 6-0 and a Reserve Team to also field, Lavant’s management were somewhat diffident as they travelled to Crawley for this tie.

But the visitors adequately acquitted themselves, taking the lead when Matt Price rose like a salmon to out-jump the Faygate ‘keeper and head Oliver Haggar’s deep cross into the net on 36minutes.

Matt Price

The next 9 minutes provided the turning point of the match.  When Chris Coe was upended in the Faygate penalty area, Ross Lines stepped up with a chance to give the visitors a 2-0 lead, but his spot kick hit the post.

Haggar forced a fine save from the home ‘keeper, John Hore minutes later. Then at the other end a bizarre incident when Coe stopped the ball and Neil Sanson picked it up, this was adjudged a pass back.

Phil Williamson took the free kick in the penalty area, drilled it through the wall and under Sanson’s body to level the score right on half-time.

The second half was evenly poised until untypically, Jon Wight under hit a back pass to his ‘keeper and James King took advantage to give the Crawley side a 2-1 lead.

With substitutes providing fresh legs, this spurred Lavant into retaliatory action. When Matt Lyttle went on a dribbling run for Lavant , Mike Neville, who had just completed a 14000 mile bike ride round the world  and been dragged from that bike to play, was on hand to hit the equaliser which Faygate’s Josh Trickel could only help into the net.

Mike Neville

Lavant: N.Sanson, C.Coe, B.Purgavie, J.Wright, M.Lyttle, M.Price, M.Bartley, A.Holmes, O.Haggar, S.Loversidge, R.Lines. Subs: M.Neville, M.Stevens

Ifield Reserves 5 Lavant Reserves 6 (after extra time)
Sussex Junior Cup

Lavant Reserves kicked started their season with a tough away fixture at Crawley against Ifield’s County Reserve team.

Preparations for the match did not exactly start well as Lavant struggled to locate the ground, only arriving 10 minutes before kick-off, with the home side already on the pitch, warmed up and ready to go.

The game kicked off not surprisingly with Lavant struggling to initially get into the game, but as the half went on they in patches played some good football. But it was the home side who took first blood scoring from one of their only two chances, taking a one goal lead going into half time, 1-0.

The half time talk by manager’s Cliff Massey and Mel Milburn must have worked as Lavant started the second half with renewed vigour, as Sam Cole broke through the Ifield defence to slot the ball past the keeper to draw the game level, 1-1.

Shortly afterwards Shaun Massey’s opportunist long range shot from the half way line semi circle caught the keeper off guard, as the ball ended up in the back of the net, giving the visitors the lead for the first time during the match, 1-2.

Lavant were now starting to take control of the game and second half sub Guy Pinder ran into the box to head home Lavant’s third goal from a lovely flighted cross from Dave Maclean, 1-3.

Cole then made it four-one to the visitors as he once again used his speed to beat the offside trap and run through and score, 1-4.

With fifteen minutes remaining and the game under control, Lavant suddenly went through a crazy period.  Firstly Dave Maclean defending a cross smashed the ball into his own net past keeper Tom Turner, 2-4.  Then minutes later a soft back pass from Martin Ayers fell short to Turner allowing the Ifield striker to capitalize on the mistake and reduce the deficit, 3-4.

Lavant replied quickly restoring their two goal advantage once more as Massey added his second of the match from a free kick just outside the area, 3-5.

With ten minutes remaining and tempers now running high, the referee was constantly stopping play to caution various players.  This along with the support of the homeside somewhat distracted Lavant’s focus and with minutes remaining Ifield had once more reduced the deficit to one goal, 4-5.

With literately seconds remaining on the clock, Ifield again pressed forward and to the disbelief of the visitors they somehow snatched a late equaliser, forcing the cup game to go into extra time, 5-5.

Lavant’s second team talk of the afternoon was harsh, as Cliff Massey made his feelings felt with regard to the team throwing away such a commanding lead in the latter part of the match.

This must have had its effect as within five minutes from the re-start Martin Ayers made up for his earlier mistake.  Picking up the ball in his own half he ran through the defence and towards the Ifield goal, before coolly slotting the ball past the out-coming keeper, to once more give the visitors the lead, 5-6.

This time Lavant were resolute in their defence of the lead and held firm.  They could have even restored their two goal lead when Mark Figas was abruptly brought down in the area, as referee Graham Miles awarded a penalty, much to the disbelief of the home crowd.

Unfortunately Shaun Massey’s spot kick was well saved by the keeper, ensuring that Lavant were forced to endure a nervy final few minutes of the match.  Thankfully however this time they hung on until the full time whistle, winning in the end by the narrowest of margins and booking their place into the next round of the Sussex Junior Cup, where they now have a home tie against Division II South side Wittering Utd.

Lavant: T.Turner, N.Richrds, M.Grace, M.Ayers, A.Berry, D.Maclean, C.Colwell, M.Hine, S.Massey, M.Figas, S.Cole Subs: G.Pinder, G.Ockwell.

We had a good turn out last Saturday as the players kicked off the start of the new season, after the match against Newtown Villa with a few beers around Chichester starting at the Hole in the Wall.

In total we had 13 out on the town. Not bad for the first event seeing as the date clashed unfortuatley with Lavant Sunday’s player Lewis Minett’s wedding and the Reserves never had a game.

Thanks to James, Matt and Jon for the orgainising the night out.

There was certainly a Uni slant on the night as far as were the match analysis, voting and drink forfeits were concerned. Thanks Matt, Matt, Ben and Mike for that. Forfeits fell to James, Wes and Dave Kent (unfair).

Also Club fines were discuss briefly early on in the evening but not sure we actually got as far as agreeing what the fines will be for and who’s collecting them?

The idea is that the fines will be collected during the season and put to good use at the latter part of the season for a night out.

Watch the News Section for the date of our next night out, as well looking out for a text.

We want to double the turn out next time to at least 20+

All Lavant FC players and members of the club are welcome to attend

Dave Knight on the ball against Henfield 13th Febrauary 2010

Last Saturday Dave made his first team debut away to Little Common in the John O Hara Cup.

He started the match as sub, but was brought on at the closing stages of the first half into centre midfield, with the scores level at 1-1.

Needless to say he made a major contribution to ensuring Chichester at the final whistle chalked up their second win of the season, winning  three one and going through to the next round of the cup.

Dave has played for Lavant for the past three seasons and has inproved each year to the extent that this season he wanted to try out playing at a higher level and although he has signed for Lavant again this season we have encouraged him to go and play County football.

So all at the club at really pleased to see him make his mark in the Chichester first team.  Especially so early in the season, as he only joined the club at the latter stages of the pre-season schedule and so missed the majority of their friendlies. So an even bigger achievement.

Although Dave is now very much a Chichester City player he is still eligible to play for Lavant and where possible will still make himself available to play for either village team if required.

He also still intends to come to the odd training session just to keep in touch with the lads and to practice keeping it yellow or now for him its keep it white and green as well.