Lavant attacking West Chiltington’s goal, in search of the winner

Lavant 1 West Chiltington 1

Lavant faced West Chiltington for the second time in as many weeks and this time managed to come away with a share of the spoils.

With lessons learnt from the week before, Lavant had a change in system and personnel for the return fixture but still got off to a disastrous start.

Within the first minute, indecision from left back Jon Wright allowed
the West Chiltington winger to steel in and lay on an easy finish from their No. 9 Glenn Whitaker with marker Matt Lyttle poorly positioned.

Rattled, Lavant struggled to gain a foothold in the match and could have fallen further behind, miss-control from Lyttle allowing the West Chiltington forward to race clear but was denied by a smart save from Neil Sanson.

Lavant finally settled and started to shift the ball around with some neat passing football and both wingers Tom Haslam and Arron Hancock causing their opposing fullbacks all sorts of trouble a goal had to be on the cards.

Lavant again press West Chiltington back into their half

Ten minutes from half time the goal finally came, a glorious switch of play from Lyttle picking out Mike Neville on the inside right channel, who controlled and fired home with style to deservedly level the score.

The second half started how the first finished, with Lavant dictating the play and dominating possession. Chances were few and far between despite Lavant’s territorial advantage with efforts from Sandford, Neville and Hancock failing to break through.

Matt Lyttle, Jason Houghton (centre) and John Wright attack the Westchiltington goal

With the final whistle beckoning the chance of the half came, a free kick was awarded 20 yards out which captain James Sandford dispatched only for him to be denied by the underside of the bar with the keeper beaten and the on rushing Lavant players unable to capitalise on the rebound.

Team: Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Matt Lyttle, Ben Purgavie, Jon Wright, Jason Houghton, James Brooks, Arron Hancock, Mike Neville, Tom Haslam, James Sandford. Subs: Alex Holmes, Matt Grace, C.Richards.

15th March Saturday’s Results

Premier Division
Lavant 1 West Chiltington 1
Bosham 5 Cowfold 1
Holbrook 4 Hunston CC 0
Faygate 4 Lancing Utd 2
Upper Beeding 1 Wittering 2

Malcolm Simmonds Cup
Newtown Villa 2 Predators 1 AET

Division IV South
Coal Exchange 5 Lavant Reserves 1
Whyke 3 Milland 4

Division IV Cup
Holbrook 3rds 1 The Crown 0

West Chiltington 2 Lavant 1

Lavant buoyed by their recent run of victories travelled
to West Chiltington full of confidence and with the knowledge that victory would bring them level on points with their hosts.

The start of the match was a tentative affair as a midfield battle ensued with Lavant looking to use their pace on the flanks whilst West Chiltington made the most of their physical presence in the centre of the
park.

The deadlock was broken 10 minutes in, a mammoth throw from the West Chiltington skipper was headed home by their impressive No.8.

Lavant despite the setback pressed on with good chances falling to Mortimer, Sandford and Hancock but were unable to convert.

On the half hour mark Lavant hit the self destruct button, a swift West Chilt counter attack and with the away sides shape all at sea, saw the West Chilt No.11 run over half the length of the pitch to strike home from 20 yards out.

Minutes later, the ball was given away on the Lavant left, again letting Chiltington counter, a smart delivery saw their No.8 head home his second. Lavant now caught up in bickering between themselves and the
referee, conceded yet another with a smart finish from an acute angle.

Half time came and left Lavant with it all to do, but they re-emerged with good attitude, shape and work rate. Although chances were
few and far between, the possession football and territorial advantage
resembled that of recent weeks.

With 15 minutes to go, Lavant finally got themselves on the score sheet after some neat passing play around the box and eventually Sandford poking home under the advancing keeper.

Team: Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Matt Lyttle, Ben Purgavie, Jon Wright, Jason Houghton, James Brooks, Arron Hancock, Mike Neville, Dan Mortimer, James Sandford. Subs: Alex Holmes, Jordon Lillywhite, Tom Haslam.

8th March Saturday’s Results

Premier Division
West Chiltington 4 Lavant 1
Newtown Villa 2 Bosham 2
Holbrook 3 Henfield 2
Hunston CC 1 Faygate 1

Malcolm Simmonds Cup
Lancing 1 Upper Beeding 2 AET
Wittering  vs Cowfold AW

Division IV Cup
Lavant Reserves 1 Tangmere 2
Harting Reserves 5 Bracklesham 2
Whyke 1 Bosham Reserves 2

Bareham Trophy
The Crown 0 The Sportsman 2

Lavant 3 Faygate 2

Lavant achieved back to back victories for the first time
this season with a 3-2 win over bottom side Faygate.

The hosts started well, pressing high up the pitch and
looking to get in behind the Faygate defence. However, what so often seems to
be the case, Lavant failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage with a poor final ball in the attacking third or not moving the ball quick enough.

Thirty five minutes into the half Lavant were made to pay for
their profligacy in front of goal as Faygate countered with their first
meaningful attack of the half and the Faygate forward finishing superbly from the edge of the area.

In the second half it was clear that Lavant had to change something and introduced target man Dan Mortimer which also resulted in a change of shape. Whilst the home side adjusted Faygate capitalised with a
long ball over the top and indecision in the back line, the Faygate forward comfortably tucked away his 2^nd of the game.

Lavant’s response to this was quick, good work by Neville
feeding Sandford down the left, a low driven cross into Mortimer who finished first time cutely into the bottom right corner.

Lavant now very much in the ascendancy soon levelled,
this time Mortimer turning the provider and Sandford racing clear to poke home past the stranded keeper.

Further chances came and went but it was Captain James
Sandford who won the game with a spectacular curled effort from the edge of the
box to ensure Lavant came away with all 3 points.

Team: Neil Sanson, Craig Spann, Matt Lyttle, Jon Wright, Jordon Lillywhite, Jason Houghton, Richard Gabb, Arron Hancock, Mike Neville, Tom Haslam, James Sandford. Subs: Alex Holmes, Dan Mortimer, Ben Purgavie, MikeBartley.

1st March Saturday’s Results

Premier Division
Lavant 3 Faygate 2
Bosham 7 Newtown Villa 3

Sussex Intermediate Cup
Cowfold 3 Holbrook 2

Malcolm Simmonds Cup
Hunston 1 Ockley 2

Division IV Cup
Horsham Crusaders 1 Milland 3

Bareham Trophy
Yapton Reserves 1 Coal Exchange 2

Please note that due to the recent bad weather the fixtures could be subject to change. The above fixtures have only been confirmed for the first two weeks of March, so the remaining three weeks could alter depending on cup results and weather.

Also please note the KO time are currently 2.00pm, but we are querying this as we think it in fact should be 3.00pm.

We will keep you updated of any changes.

No 7 Tom Haslam heading in the winner against Hunston

Lavant 2 Hunston 1

After a 2 month winter break football finally returned
for Lavant who entertained local rivals Hunston at Raughmere Park.

It was a nervous and rusty start for both sides but yet
again Lavant conceded another early goal from Hunston’s first meaningful attack of the match. A well delivered free kick from the right hand side saw Hunston skipper Martin Lomas steal in at the back post and finish with venom.

Lavant grew into the match with good possession football
but good chances were few and far between. With the home team clearly in the ascendancy they finally levelled the match 10 minutes before the break with debutant Jason Houghton heading home a Neville corner.

The second half commenced as the firstconcluded with the home side very much on top. The pressure soon told with another headed goal, this time coming from the impressive Tom Haslam scoring his first goal for the club.

All credit to Hunston who showed a great battling attitude, causing the Lavant defence some very nervous moments towards the end of the ninety. They however held firm and could have extended their lead after Jon Wright burst away with the ball following a Hunston corner who was body checked by the opposing keeper only for the referee to call the foul the away teams way.

Team: Neil Sanson, Craig Spann, Matt Lyttle, Jon Wright, Jordon Lillywhite, Jason Houghton, James Brooks, Alex Holmes, Mike Neville, Tom Haslam, James Sandford. Subs: Chris Richards, Greg Ayling, Dan Mortimer.

22nd February Saturday’s Results

Premier Division
Lavant 2 Hunston CC 1
Bosham 1 West Chiltington 1
Faygate 0 Newtown Villa 2

Sussex Intermediate Cup
Cowfold 4 Hollington 2
Holbrook 4 littlehampton Town Reserves 0

Division IV South
Milland 4 Harting Reserves 0
The Crown 2 Whyke Reserves 1

West Chiltington vs Lavant
Postponed

This Saturday the first team game was again postponed away to West Chiltington due to a water logged pitch.

Lavant Reserves 0
Coal Exchange 3

The Reseve team game however still went ahead at Raughmere Park where they were beaten three-nil by most probably the best team in the Division IV league.

However although they lost three-nil the Reserves put in a great performance on the day and the final score somewhat flattered the Coal Exchange and did not reflect on Lavant’s overall performance.

Certainly the management team of Martin Pullen and Mel Milburn have taken a lot of positives from the game as they prepare for the remaining seven league games of the season and ensuring they consolidate Lavant Reserves position in Division IV.

11th January Saturday’s Results

Premier Division
West Chiltington vs Lavant Postponed
Bosham 2 Holbrook 0

Division IV South
Lavant Reserves 0 Coal Exchange 3
Harting Reserves vs Lake Road Rangers Home Win

4th January Saturday’s Results

All West Sussex League fixtures were postponed this weekend due to the weather and waterlogged pitchs.

Please note that due to the recent weather the fixtures could be subject to change, especially the last week in January where we currently both have no fixture. But will keep everyone informed.

On behalf of Lavant Football Club we would like to wish all the officials, players, sponsors, supporters and villagers of Lavant a very prosperous New Year.

Thank You

We would also like to take this opportunity to also say a big Thank You to our sponsors who again this season have very kindly backed the village football club.

They include the Giles and Ruth Thomson, landlords of The Earl of March, Jan Squires, Alan & Sue Smith, Richard & Sheila Sims, The Lavant Fete Committee and Lavant Parish Council.

Their continued support has ensured that the village can field a number of football teams playing in local leagues each week.

This season especially we have had major expenditure with the replacement of both the first team and reserve team kits.

Giles and Ruth of the Earl of March have very kindly offered to continue to sponsor the first team kit and Jan and her daughter Kay were insistent on continuing to sponsor the Reserves team with the names of Squires & Sands being two families which have together represented the football club over many decades in the past.

Jan was keen to ensure that she and her family kept the support for the club going in honour of her husband John, one of our biggest fans who sadly passed away just over a year ago.

As a mark of respect to John the away kit also bears his name on the back of the shirts, so everyone who puts on the club kit, knows what it really means to play for the village football club.

Kay with the away kit and Jan with the new Reserve team home kit

Start of the New Year

With the bad weather setting in over the Christmas break all the fixtures have been affected and we have not now played for the past two weeks.  With the continued heavy downpours which have
been forecast to continue into the remainder of the week, it looks very
unlikely we will be playing on the 4th January either.

Training:
Starts back on the 8th January at the 3G All-Weather Pitch at the Arena, Bognor Regis and will be every Wednesday evening from 8pm to 9pm right through to the end of March after which training reverts back to the village green.

Both managers Stuart and Martin are hoping their players have been keeping themselves fit in between fixtures, because once we start playing again after the Christmas break, both teams have a battle on their hands to ensure they secure their survival in their respective leagues as we go into the second half of what has been a really tough season so far.

Lavant FC Forthcoming Social Event

Put the dates in your diary now!!!

Date: Saturday 18th January 2014
Time: 19:00 for 19:30
Venue: The Globe
Event: Pool competition
Cost: £3 (covers the trophy/prize, plus all pool games)
Dress Code: Last year was a waistcoat!! This year it’s a bow tie.Most flamboyant/outrageous will get a prize!!
Fines: For arriving after 19.30 and for not wearing a bow tie.

Could you please let Tag know if you are taking part by the 5th January.

Thanks

Faygate 2 Lavant 1

Saturday Lavant travelled to bottom of the league Faygate
suffering their 3rd successive defeat and finding themselves back
firmly in the relegation dogfight.

It was another disastrous start by the Chichester side
going behind in under 2 minutes. As keeper Sanson went to throw the ball he was impeded by a Faygate forward, the throw then going straight to another Faygate player and with  Lavant keeper appealing the
Faygate player struck into the empty net after no foul was given.

Although Lavant had their fair share of possession, their
build play was slow and pedestrian allowing the home side to get back behind the ball and stifle any attack with ease.

After a half time dressing down, Lavant started the
second half with a much improved purpose and work rate and it wasn’t long until they were back on level terms. A corner by Neville finding centre half Ben Purgavie to glance home with his first goal in 11 years.

Lavant pressed for a winner with efforts from Maclean and
Knight going close but following a slack ball in the middle of the park by Richards, Faygate grabbed the winner after running on to the ball and calmly finishing to the keepers left.

Team: Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Ben Purgavie, Jon Wright, Matt Lyttle, Dave Knight, Dave Maclean, Chris Richartds, Mike Neville, Alex Holmes, Pete Caveney. Subs: Tom Haslam, Matt Grace.

14th December Saturday’s Results

Premier Division
Faygate 2 Lavant 1
Hunston 0 Bosham 4
Upper Beeding 2 Lancing Utd 4
West Chiltington 0 Henfield 4

Sussex Intermediate Cup
Cowfold 3 Newtown Villa 2
Mile Oak 3 Holbrook 3 (Penalties 2-4)

Division IV South
Lavant Reserves 2 Milland 3
Bosham Reserves 1 The Crown 3
Coal Exchange 0 Harting Reserves 0
Lake Side Rangers 6 Tangmere 3